Salt Lake City, Utah – The Arizona Coyotes saga has officially come to an end with General Manager Bill Armstrong informing players that the NHL franchise will be relocating to Salt Lake City next season. This move comes after prospective owner Ryan Smith expressed interest in changing the team’s name upon relocation, seeking input from fans for potential new names. Smith, who also owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz, is positioning the Coyotes for a fresh start in their new home.
According to reports by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Coyotes players were recently notified of a “verbal” agreement in place for the team’s relocation to Salt Lake City. The NHL has reportedly begun creating two versions of the 2024-25 schedule, one with the Coyotes playing in Arizona and the other with them based in Salt Lake City. The shift to Salt Lake City comes as the Coyotes sought to move from their current venue at Arizona State University’s campus arena in Tempe due to a terminated lease at Gila River Arena.
Formerly known as the Phoenix Coyotes until 2014, the team’s impending move to Salt Lake City marks a new chapter in its history. Plans are underway to renovate the Delta Center to accommodate hockey games for the upcoming season until a new downtown arena can be constructed. Following the regular season finale, an announcement on the sale of the team from Alex Meruelo to Ryan Smith is expected, as the Coyotes face a 34-40-5 record and have been eliminated from playoff contention in the Central Division.
With the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City, fans and players alike are gearing up for a fresh start and a new era for the franchise. The move signifies a significant change in the team’s identity and opens up opportunities for growth and development in a new market. As the countdown to the upcoming season begins, anticipation and excitement surround the Coyotes’ journey to establish themselves in their new home in Utah.