The dust has settled on last month’s chaotic Arizona Coyotes saga, which saw a public vote strike down the team’s plan to build a new arena in Tempe. While initially, the result made relocation look like an imminent possibility, more avenues to remain in Arizona have opened up, and optimism is once again increasing about the team’s future in the state.
Nothing is certain without a long-term plan in place, though, and there will be interest in relocating the team. One of those interested parties is Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, who yesterday shed light on his endeavor to bring an NHL team back to Hartford in an interview with WTNH New Haven’s Dennis House.
The governor shared that a group is already in place to purchase the Coyotes and relocate them to Hartford, with funding already spoken for. Assuming they can purchase the trademark back from the Carolina Hurricanes, who jointly own it along with the NHL, it would resurrect the Hartford Whalers, which departed for North Carolina in 1997.
One key aspect of the plan is the refurbishment of the XL Center, which currently is home to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, to meet NHL standards. However, the question remains: will these renovations be sufficient to support a successful NHL franchise?
The viability of the arena is likely the biggest point of skepticism around any move. Originally constructed in 1975, the aging arena has undergone various renovations over the years – most recently in 2014. But unless a significant expansion occurs, it would still be the smallest arena in the league, with a capacity of just under 15,000 people for hockey. Winnipeg’s Canada Life Center has a capacity of 15,321 people.
The move would also see the Coyotes franchise cross conference lines and require some sort of divisional realignment. It’s something the NHL likely wouldn’t be willing to undergo unless two Western Conference expansion teams were planned in quick succession.
There’s still a likelihood the team finds a long-term plan in Arizona – after all, it’s the preference of both the NHL and the current owners. Having multiple cities step in with interest in relocation, though, isn’t a bad thing. Along with the owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, Ryan Smith, Lamont’s group provides a solid safety net for the league to move the team if all other avenues fall through.
20 years from now the Coyotes will be playing in a municipal roller hockey rink and the headlines will be undoubtedly optimistic that a new arena in _______ is just around the corner.
Ha ha. ha… so funny I forgot to laugh. How would you feel if your team was constantly put down and rumored to leave? Not so funny then, huh?
As a whaler fan that was that games there last season I want our team back more than anything but I hate to see coyotes fans go through what we went through. We could definitely support the team just look at videos of old whaler games. But it sucks we know exactly what you guys are going through.
At least the league is doing everything they can to keep the team in arizona. We met the owners 11500 full season ticket goal, agreed to an arena and he walked in at the last minute and wanted 46 million to cover losses until the new arena was built, state said no to that.
Ha ha ha! That’s about it! And I’m sorry, but the Mullett just isn’t a great place. It’s not even that good for college hockey. I feel bad for the fans down there, but this team has got to move. Anywhere.
Houston would clearly be the best city to relocate to for the Coyotes.
Sure thing Wilf. Based on what? The idea that no ownership group in Houston has ever stepped up and made a serious move to bring an NHL franchise to town? That Houston hasn’t even had a viable minor league team in a decade? Because Gordie Howe drew some fans in the 70s? Clearly the best city? Where do you come up with this stuff. On a brighter note, your NHL parody account is fun to watch!
“Just under 15000 for hockey?” Huh. Isn’t Bettman supposedly very cool with the Coyotes playing in a rink a THIRD that size for a few years?
With that, the Coyotes have broken 15000 average attendance (by no more than a few hundred) only twice this century, and 14000 only once since 2009. You’d think THAT was tolerable to Bettman as well.
It’s also just a very old arena – it’s where the Whalers played their entire NHL existence save for a year or two at the beginning. Renovations can only do so much.
Sure, but MSG is older. And before the NHL went onto its kick for ever shinier and gaudier sports palaces, jammed with nice expensive luxury boxes, and all paid for by extorted taxpayer dollars, they did just fine in a lot of old buildings. Just thirty years ago, Montreal played in an arena built in 1924. Boston played in one built in 1928. St. Louis in one opened in 1929. Toronto in one that opened in 1931. Then you have Buffalo (1940), Quebec (1949), Winnipeg (1955), while Pittsburgh, Ottawa, the Rangers, the Islanders, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Vancouver and Los Angeles all played in 1960s stadiums.
Yeah, but with the revenue from new buildings, the league ‘needs’ modern amenities, such as they have at Centre Videotron.
also, you know who has a beautiful arena with modern amenities? The Arizona State University.
@nha
when it comes to the checker dome (the barn in st. louis) most of us here wanted it to stay but it just didn’t have the capacity for hockey or concerts. then again msg was planned originally for 30k where as the checker was not and who knew in the early 60’s that the nhl was going to be a sport that drew over 15k in fans.
Just move this team already, it’s like watching an animal writhe in pain after being hit on the highway. Put it put of its misery and move on, Betmann!
Quebec City is a far better choice than Hartford, with a modern building that seats over 18,000.
I’m sure they’ll be happy if their team is in the Western Conference, and with the Coyotes roster where it is, the league has several years to sort out potential geography-related playoff issues. Perhaps with expansion to Houston and SLC.
This situation Is like watching Groundhog Day, with the same outcome ever day.
I am sure Hartford would be willing to play in the Central to get the Whalers back. (I know, it would just be to the next round of expansion.) They really want the team back. They never really wanted to lose them in first place.
Realistically, move the Coyotes to Atlanta, Quebec City, Harford – someplace that had a team, paid expansion fees, and then moved.
What is funny, is there are probably 10 cities that would love an NHL team where it could work.
in no particular order
1. Atlanta
2. Houston
3. Kansas City
4 . San Antonio
5. Salt Lake City
6. Hamilton
7. Quebec City
8. Second team in GTA
9. Orlando
10. Portland
Atlanta failed TWICE. You cant try that nonsense again
If the team moves, it needs to go somewhere it is guaranteed to be successful. That eliminates Atlanta, Houston, and a number of the other cities mentioned.
Most easy and logical solution is to move them to Quebec and resurrect the Nordiques, where they’ll sell out season tickets for the next 20 years. Then bump either Detroit or Ottawa to the Western Conf. Ottawa probably is easiest since you can make that a condition of the team’s sale and not have to fight Detroit to send them back to the conference they just left.
Please God, no.
Send them to Milwaukee.
They stay in the west.
Have local rivals with minny, Chicago,st Louis, Detroit
They already have a new nhl ready arena too.
Problem solved.
Milwaukee Coyotes.
Like the Memphis Grizzlies…makes no sense
Nah. Milwaukee Admirals, obviously. I could get behind that.
Couldn’t be the admirals since that’s the name of the ahl team.
What about cheese heads or the Milwaukee Ice? If it was ok with the beer company?
… and while Milwaukee can, I believe, support a NHL team, it sure as hell can’t support a NHL AND an AHL team simultaneously. So yeah, it could easily be the Admirals.
Why not?