[News] Coyotes relocating to Salt Lake City

[DeluxeMoustache]

I’d challenge that. People call the Leafs the buds, the Canadiens the Habs, the Bruins the B’s, the Panthers the Cats, and of course the Oilers the no goods .

It’s like when the dude declares that new #### has come to light, gotta respond accordingly

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by transplant99

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...l-back-phoenix

OK then.

Not criticizing you Tranny but you have to admit that's a pretty clickbait headline. That's not exactly what he said. HE (individually) is not interested in bringing the team back to Phoenix. Place the right emphasis on the words in his statement.

"I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that," Ishbia told Sportico. "It's definitely something I'm interested in. It's a four-sport town. I'm disappointed we don't have a hockey team, but I understand what happened, and we're going to try to fix that one day."

That doesn't sound like someone that is chomping at the bit to belly up for an expansion team all by himself. He says he'll be "part" of the "community" (possible consortium) that brings a team to Phoenix. And I know there are a couple of people here that will jump all over this and think this is a sign he's inclined to toss his money around for new building to make it a real possibility. That's not what he's saying. He's got a lease for another decade and has just spent an unheard of amount of money to build a practice facility for his WNBA team, which he hopes will be a huge payoff in the future. I don't think he's going to make that investment if he's going to abandon that arena and location anytime soon. Building and facility investments are 20 year investments, so that "one day" is probably way out in that future, when he will consider "looking at that." Same conditions exist and will continue to exist until that new arena is built, or the wealth of Phoenix magically relocates to Glendale.

[Jordan!]

The Suns are Phoenix's team, they have and will continue to get political benefits that others couldn't.

There's a reason why the Auction was cancelled more than just distrust of Meruelo. It was politically motivated from the City of Phoenix to push AM out to make this path available with the Suns. (My opinion, but also considering my local conversations with people who are involved politically in the Valley)

I believe this will happen, and is the only path forward for the NHL to return here but I think it's a 5-10 year proposition at this point.

[Calgary4LIfe]

There is no doubt that the NHL gets back to Arizona, and probably sooner rather than later. They need a few years to let the 'stink' of the Coyotes go away, but there is no way the NHL doesn't get back in there.


https://www.thoughtco.com/largest-me...-areas-1435135


The only top 10 USA metro areas that the NHL is not currently in are Atlanta (9th) and Phoenix (10th). I think the NHL has realized how to expand more successfully. I think they will just be patient until they find an owner with legitimately deep enough pockets (and bonus points if he has another sports team) and an arena ready to go (or at least has the go-ahead to be built so when the expansion team is ready to play in the new location, the building will be ready).



With the new expansion rules, these new franchises can find some success right away. It sucks as fans of teams that go through long periods of lacklustre results - I certainly don't appreciate how easy Vegas fans have had it - but it does create a lot more community support for the team right away. Also sucks when your team loses a good player to expansion. However, I do think the NHL has been doing well when it comes to expansion and figuring things out now. I think that their next few rounds of expansion - including in Phoenix - will be successful.



I am a little surprised that there is some chatter about the NHL back in Phoenix right away, but I guess it shouldn't be so surprising given the size of the market. I wouldn't be surprised if both Phoenix and Atlanta will be expansion markets being planned around for ~ 2028, when the existing US TV deal is over. Bringing in two major markets (and having full coverage for the top 10) might be a feather in the NHL's cap during negotiations on a new TV deal.

[SuperMatt18]

TBH it being 5-10 years is better.

I've said it for a while but the best path to success for hockey in Arizona was to re-locate the Coyotes. Then et the wounds and negative brand/public perception heal a little bit and then come back when it's exciting and new with a little bit of nostalgia with a new expansion franchise that has no ties to past ownership or failures.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

The only top 10 USA metro areas that the NHL is not currently in are Atlanta (9th) and Phoenix (10th).

Don't forget Houston. I think they might be most preferable expansion market in the near future, as long as there is a potential owner and arena of course.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Don't forget Houston. I think they might be most preferable expansion market in the near future, as long as there is a potential owner and arena of course.

Right. Houston is 5th. I must need another coffee!

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by troutman

Outlaws? No thanks. Almost as bad as Hitmen.

[Purpdust]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

The only top 10 USA metro areas that the NHL is not currently in are Atlanta (9th) and Phoenix (10th).

5. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX also has not team

[Strange Brew]

Phoenix metro area is a whole lot whiter than Houston or Atlanta so it’s a more desirable market for the NHL. Still nothing is happening in the short term though.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Phoenix metro area is a whole lot whiter than Houston or Atlanta so it’s a more desirable market for the NHL. Still nothing is happening in the short term though.

I think being less white actually makes places like Houston and Atlanta more desirable. Due to shifting demographics, if the NHL is going to thrive into the future as a major league, they need to break into markets with more traditionally under represented demographics.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think being less white actually makes places like Houston and Atlanta more desirable. Due to shifting demographics, if the NHL is going to thrive into the future as a major league, they need to break into markets with more traditionally under represented demographics.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I just don’t see the NHL making much of an effort in this regard compared to other sports. No desire to partake in the Olympics when in Asia for example. It’s disappointing.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Arizona HC

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Arizona HC

Arizona FBOIC.

Focus groups show that the term ‘hockey’ is too confusing to folks in the desert. You need a name that explains the sport better: Flat Ball On Ice.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by sch19lks

I have a feeling that Utah has a good year next year and makes the playoffs and they stick with the Utah Hockey Club bullshi!t

It may be the sales of all new team name paraphernalia that decides this for ownership though. Everyone has to buy new jerseys, hats, etc. Just putting it out there, no idea though.

[jayswin]

I don't see any chance at all that they don't take advantage of essentially two branding launches for merchandise sales and team hype.

The only thing I could see is if the fans seem to like having a soccer style HC name, maybe they keep it but would still do a full rebrand in terms of colour, design and logo, to still take advantage of a second merch windfall.