Knies says Coyotes ‘meant a lot to me’
Arizonan laments possible move to Salt Lake City
At least Arizona-born and raised Matthew Knies got to play one game in front of family and friends when the Maple Leafs played the Coyotes earlier in February.
But that might be it with word this week the Coyotes — unable to find a permanent, NHL-quality home in the greater Phoenix area — could play out of Salt Lake City next season.
“It’s pretty unfortunate,” Knies said. “The Coyotes did a lot for me growing up. I loved going to the games and they were a big reason as to why I got into hockey. But that kind of situation is out of my control.
“I’m hopeful that they can stay there. They meant a lot to me, but I guess we’re going to have to see what happens.”
The Coyotes have been a laughingstock for years for their on-ice product and their salary cap management. They have traded for contracts of players who can’t play anymore just to get their insurancepaid salaries on the books to meet the salary floor.
And the Leafs owe a debt of gratitude to the region. GM Brad Treliving cut his teeth there as an assistant GM with the Coyotes, and his special assistant, Shane Doan, is basically Mr. Coyote, spending most of his career in Arizona and owning most of the franchise records.
Doan went back recently to see his son Josh become the first Arizona native play for the Coyotes. He scored two goals, including the game-winner, in his debut.
But the Coyotes’ stay in Mullet Arena, a college rink with a 4,600seat capacity for NHL games, is an embarrassment that players and the players’ association have complained about.
Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo is bidding on a piece of property in Phoenix he hopes he can turn into an NHL rink. He won’t know until June if he wins the bid and it would still take three years to build the facility.
The NHL doesn’t want the team to play in Mullet Arena anymore, which could lead to a move to Salt Lake City under new ownership, with Meruelo first in line for an expansion team if his arena deal goes through.