NHL’s Arizona Coyotes potentially being relocated to Salt Lake City, as soon as next season, while team says it’s committed to keeping hockey ‘in the desert’

The Arizona Coyotes may be moved to Salt Lake City as early as next season. Meanwhile, the franchise’s social media posts say the team is committed to keeping hockey “in the desert.”

As the Coyotes played the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, rumors about their future manifested themselves amid failed stadium proposals and the local shaky ground the team has found itself on for more than a year.

Without a long-term plan for a stadium and currently playing games at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State’s campus, a permanent move away from Arizona could be in the Coyotes’ future.

The shaky ground for the Coyotes began in August 2021, when Gila River Arena in Glendale opted not to renew its operating agreement with the team. Options have been discussed to build a new stadium in nearby Mesa and Scottsdale as well.

Instead of trying to find a local solution, the NHL could now step in and give the franchise to another city. Still, the Coyotes remain steadfast in their desire to keep the team in the Phoenix area.

The Arizona Coyotes are already mathematically eliminated from the postseason

“We’re blocking out the noise,” said a post on Coyotes’ social media. “For our fans and for our state, we will continue and give everything. For the love of the game.’

“Committed to keeping Coyotes Hockey in the desert and building an arena in Phoenix,” said another Arizona post.

The Coyotes have played in the Phoenix area since 1996 after the original version of the Winnipeg Jets moved from Canada.

The current version of the Jets was moved from the expansion Atlanta Thrashers in 2011.

Salt Lake City has been trying to bring another professional franchise to Utah for more than a decade, with a focus on the MLB and NHL.