SALT LAKE CITY – Arizona Coyotes players learned during a team meeting that the franchise was moving to Utah, according to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet.
Coyotes players informed of move to Utah
Hockey Insider reported the outcome of the meeting on Friday, April 12.
The Coyotes would have had a meeting with general manager Bill Armstrong before puck drop for a road game against the Edmonton Oilers Friday night.
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“We learned this evening that the Arizona Coyotes players were informed during a meeting that they would be traveling to Utah. Players and staff may travel to Salt Lake City right after Wednesday’s game to check out the facilities and city,” Friedman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Additionally: there is still work to be done, the timing is obviously fluid, but players have been informed of the current move and there will be an opportunity to see the potential new environment.
–Elliott Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 13, 2024
“There is still work to be done, the timing is obviously fluid, but the players have been informed of the imminent transfer and there will be an opportunity to see the potential new environment,” Friedman added.
The reported meeting is the latest in a series of notable events involving the Coyotes over the past two weeks.
The franchise is currently based in Tempe, Arizona, and plays home games in a college arena. The organization has had its ups and downs throughout its tenure in the greater Phoenix area, including changes in ownership and location.
A move to Utah would give the team stability and an NHL-worthy venue. Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake, has been campaigning for some time to bring an NHL franchise to the Beehive State. Last week, Smith asked fans to submit nicknames for a Utah team.
As reports continue to snowball around the Coyotes, official word could be imminent from the league itself.
The Coyotes’ season finale will take place April 17 in Arizona.
Yotes close to the season
The Coyotes currently have a record of 34-40-5 this season and sit seventh in the Central Division.
Arizona has three games remaining on its schedule. The Yotes’ next game is on the road against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. MT. The Coyotes will close out the season against the Oilers at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona on Wednesday, April 17 at 8 p.m. MT. Both games will be broadcast on NHLPP/ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is an NFL Insider sports and local producer for KSLSports.com. Hear Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on@kyleireland), Discussions (@kyleirelandksl) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
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