NHL Franchise Seems Likely To Move To Different City

SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 7: Dylan Guenther #11 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates scoring a goal in the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 7, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images) Kavin Mistry/Getty Images

The Arizona Coyotes might have a new home for next season and beyond.

According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the NHL is drafting two schedules for next season, one with the Coyotes still in Arizona, and another with the team playing in Salt Lake City.

The league has a contingency plan in case the Coyotes have to relocate since they’ve had trouble securing a new arena deal. Right now, they play at Mullet Arena, which is where Arizona State plays. It only seats 5,000 people a game.

Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo hopes to build a new arena in the Phoenix area via an auction, which is scheduled for Jun. 27. However, there’s no guarantee that the Coyotes will be able to win that auction.

In fact, there’s a chance that they get relocated after the regular season ends next week. Per Seravalli, a relocation could come as soon as Apr. 18 (next Thursday).

This has been building for quite some time since the Coyotes don’t have stable ownership. Had their ownership been better, they wouldn’t be in this situation.

The Coyotes are 33-40-5 this season and will not be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again.