In June of this year, there will be yet another vote in the state of Arizona about a potential arena proposal that would allow the Coyotes to build a new arena in North Phoenix. This is just the latest vote that will likely be denied once again which will then lead to the franchise's future in the desert remaining murky for what seems like the thousandth time. The new arena plan does not even have the support of Scottsdale mayor David Ortega. Ortega wrote, "the prospect of a rookie developer attempting to buy Arizona State Trust Land with absolutely no infrastructure ... at the doorstep of Scottsdale is not feasible, or welcome".
If the team would not be welcomed or allowed to build an NHL-quality facility in Arizona, the franchise would have to continue to play in an NCAA arena at Arizona State University as they have since the 2022-23 season until a plan is place.
Frankly, this is not acceptable and must be not only embarrassing for the Coyotes, but the league in general.
The Coyotes ranked last in a 32-team league according to Forbes NHL Valuation of each franchise for 2023. The Yotes were valued at 500 million USD.
With this in mind, the question must be asked, why is the NHL so keen on the Coyotes staying in Arizona? Neither the city or state, is a thriving hockey market, they do not have the support of government or state officials, and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this arena fiasco.
It is time for the Coyotes to leave for a community that wants and would support an NHL franchise.
Kansas City? Salt Lake? Either of these options would cause less of a headache for the league. Leaving Arizona could finally allow the franchise to have a clear direction and structure off the ice.
Not to mention the giant relocation cheque the league and its owners would receive upon the move.
This would be a tough pill for commissioner Gary Bettman to swallow as the Coyotes seem to be his hockey infant, but he has proven that hockey can work in the desert with the success of the Vegas Golden Knights since they entered the league in 2017, and winning the team's first Stanley Cup in 2023.
Maybe it is time for Bettman to show he can help hockey thrive in the mid-west by moving his beloved Coyotes to a location that would embrace NHL hockey with open arms and excitement.
By: Aaron Silcoff
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