Two insiders believe that Coyotes could leave Arizona if Tempe arena plan fails

On Thursday, the Arizona Coyotes announced that they have reached an agreement to play the next three seasons, with an option for a fourth, at the new home of Arizona State University, which is set to open this fall.

There has been plenty of criticism of the Coyotes plan to play at ASU's new rink, mainly due to the fact it only holds 5,000 spectators and it may drop down to 3,200 for NHL games.

Playing at ASU's arena is a temporary move while they wait for their new permanent home to be built in Tempe. The Tempe city council is set to vote on the Coyotes' Tempe arena plan in March or April. Last month, it was reported by Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports that there's a chance the Coyotes may not have the votes from council members for their new arena, with some concerned about their financial handlings in Glendale.

Tempe city council is set to meet in March or April to decide the fate of the Coyotes plan. While on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet insiders Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek talked about what could happen if Tempe votes against Arizona's plan.

Friedman said that he doesn't think the Coyotes will play at ASU's rink next season if they don't get the votes from Tempe city council. Jeff Marek shared his theory which, if the team doesn't get the votes in Tempe, the NHL would buy the team back, auction them off and move them to another city. Friedman agreed with Marek, thinking that could be a possibility.

If that were to become a reality, some options for a new home could include Houston, Portland, or Quebec City. The latter two would require the NHL to realign the divisions by placing Portland in the Pacific or Quebec in the Atlantic.

Marek's theory is if the Coyotes don't get the new rink in Tempe he suspects it would be sold back to the league and the league would auction it off and they would move somewhere else. Friedman thinks Marek could be right.— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 11, 2022

MUST READ

30 minutes ago  |  By Tom Banks Matvei Michkov Stuns With Crazy Quote in Post-Game Interview Following OT Winner

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks Jeremy Swayman on the Verge of Losing the Starting Role in Boston: His Contract Looks Like a Disaster

5 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Detroit Red Wings Place Massive Six-Foot-Six Forward on Waivers

6 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Connor Bedard's Struggles Prove Chicago Blackhawks are in Dire Need of a Coaching Change

7 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery NHL Analyst Believes Toronto Maple Leafs are Exploring Possible Reunion With Nazem Kadri

9 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery 800-Game NHL Veteran Nick Bonino Signs an Unexpected New Professional Contract

11 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Jordan Reaves Calls Out Darnell Nurse After He Plays the Victim Following Hit From Brother Ryan

Nov 22  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

MORE STORIES