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NHL UPDATE
Coyotes issue statement on team’s status in Arizona
Season finale Wednesday in Tempe
JASON FRANSON
Arizona Coyotes' Matias Maccelli (63) and Michael Kesselring (5) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during overtime in an NHL hockey game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Posted
INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
Amid reports that the Arizona Coyotes are headed to Salt Lake City, the team’s chairman said Saturday that there are a “myriad” of unresolved issues.
Here are some of Alex Meruelo's comments:
“THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION IN RECENT DAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ARIZONA COYOTES. I UNDERSTAND AND EMPATHIZE WITH THE CONCERNS OF OUR FANS, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PARTNERS, OUR PLAYERS, OUR FRONT OFFICE AND ALL OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS.”
The team’s chairman also said he hopes "TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AS SOON AS I AM ABLE TO SPEAK ON THE TOPICS.
“WE ARE FOCUSED ON A MYRIAD OF ISSUES THAT ARE UNRESOLVED, AND THEREFORE WE ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT I AM GOING TO SPEAK ON ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND PUBLICLY ADDRESS ALL OF YOUR CONCERNS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE”
According to a report from the Associated Presss, Arizona Coyotes players have been informed the NHL club is expected to relocate to Salt Lake City, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting.
General manager Bill Armstrong flew to Edmonton, Alberta, to tell players about the team’s potential move to Utah before its game against the Oilers, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the decision has not been announced.
Players and officials could visit Salt Lake City next week, possibly as soon as after the season finale Wednesday, which could be the final game at 5,000-seat Mullett Arena in Tempe.
The news comes amid buzz that Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz, has been working to acquire an NHL team, a move that could include the league buying the Coyotes from Alex Meruelo and flipping it.
The Smith Entertainment Group in January said it had the immediate ability to facilitate that and asked for an expansion proceeding.
It's also in the aftermath of a 2023 failed arena referendum in Tempe and an inability to secure a long-term home in the Phoenix area.
Meruelo said the Coyotes are committed to winning a land auction for a potential arena site in Phoenix.
