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Bill Daly discusses potential plans for the Arizona Coyotes but no decision has been made yet.
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    Bill Daly discusses potential plans for the Arizona Coyotes but no decision has been made yet.

    The NHL remains in a holding pattern when it comes to the fate of the Arizona Coyotes and the franchise’s next home — whether in the desert or elsewhere.

    “At this point there’s no call to make yet on Arizona,” Daly said Wednesday following GM meetings in Florida. “We’re satisfied with where we are and certainly it’s [Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo]’s intention to go forward with the auction.”

    Last week, it was announced that the plot of land in Phoenix on which Meruelo hopes to build a new arena was approved for auction by the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals. That auction, which is to be held in June, is a crucial step for the franchise and league — and the timing of it has only heightened speculation about what could happen should Meruelo’s bid be unsuccessful.

    Could a failed bid result in a rapid relocation of the team next season?

    “Probably not,” said Daly. “I don’t believe so.”

    Daly indicated “it’s getting late” for the league to form a contingency plan. Asked about potential impacts to next season’s schedule, Daly ruled out those concerns. 

    “We don’t have to release a schedule before the draft. We have flexibility as to when we need to release the schedule, so we’ll see how this plays out and release the schedule when we’re ready to release the schedule,” he said.

    “I’m focused on the current,” Daly continued. “Currently, they’re going to play hockey games in Arizona this season.”

    The Coyotes are in their second season of playing at Mullett Arena, a 4,600-seat rink at Arizona State University in Tempe. The team signed a three-year lease to call Mullett Arena home after the city of Glendale terminated its agreement for Gila River Arena following the 2021-22 season. Plans to build a new arena in Tempe were voted down in a public referendum last spring.

    NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters on Wednesday he has “nothing new to add on Arizona” and that the subject continues to be something both the league and Coyotes ownership are focused on. He also reiterated his longstanding support for the NHL market.

    “We would’ve preferred to be in a new arena by now, but there’s certain things that couldn’t be controlled,” Bettman said. “We believe Arizona, particularly the greater Phoenix area, is a good NHL market. It’s a place we want to be.”

    — With files from Eric Engels

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    Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently sat down for an interview to discuss the potential plans for the Arizona Coyotes, a team that has been the subject of relocation rumors for quite some time. Despite ongoing speculation, Daly made it clear that no final decision has been made regarding the future of the franchise.

    The Coyotes have faced numerous challenges in recent years, including financial struggles and arena issues. This has led to speculation that the team could be moved to a new city in order to secure its long-term viability. However, Daly emphasized that the NHL is committed to keeping the team in Arizona if possible.

    One potential solution that has been discussed is building a new arena for the Coyotes in the East Valley area of Phoenix. This would provide the team with a more central location and potentially attract more fans to games. However, Daly noted that this is just one option being considered and no final decision has been reached.

    Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Coyotes, Daly expressed confidence in the team’s ownership group and their commitment to finding a solution. He also praised the passionate fan base in Arizona and their continued support for the team.

    In conclusion, while the future of the Arizona Coyotes remains uncertain, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly’s recent comments suggest that the NHL is actively exploring potential plans to keep the team in Arizona. Fans will have to wait and see what ultimately transpires, but for now, it seems that the league is committed to finding a solution that works for all parties involved.