Report: Next season’s schedule in flux over Coyotes
The NHL reportedly is drafting two versions of the 2024-25 schedule, one with the Coyotes remaining in Arizona and the other based on their potential relocation to Salt Lake City.
The Daily Faceoff reported the schedule makers’ current quandary on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.
The Coyotes currently play their home games at Arizona State’s Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
The team announced plans last week to buy land in Phoenix to build a privately funded arena and entertainment district.
However, that plan hinges on the club winning a June 27 land auction for the 110-acre site that will be auctioned off by the Arizona State Land Department. The appraised price of the site is $68.5 million.
The NHL franchise relocated to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996 and played in Phoenix until a move to Glendale, Arizona, in 2003. The latter city terminated its lease with the Coyotes following the 2021-22 season.
Last year, the Coyotes lost an election with Tempe voters in a plan to build a $2.3 billion arena and entertainment district. The upcoming land bid could be the club’s final attempt at staying in the Phoenix area.
If Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo opts to sell the team instead, he has a willing partner available in Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith.
Smith added to the relocation speculation on Monday with a post on X, formerly Twitter, soliciting potential team names for a Salt Lake City NHL team.
Avalanche 5, Wild 2: Nathan MacKinnon’s seventh career hat trick led host Colorado. Cale Makar scored a goal and added two assists, and Artturi Lehkonen had the other goal for Colorado, which leapfrogged the Winnipeg Jets into second place in the Central Division.
Ducks 3, Kings 1: Lukas Dostal made 36 saves and Ryan Strome had two assists for host Anaheim, which won for just the third time in their past 17 games (3-12-2). Cam Talbot stopped 24 of 27 shots for the Kings, who would have clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a win.
Kraken 5, Coyotes 0: Shane Wright scored for the fourth time in as many games since being recalled from the minor leagues and Philipp Grubauer made a season-high 39 saves for host Seattle.