Re: Atlanta and Houston expansion/relocation speculation
It really is time to pull the plug on Arizona as an NHL market.
Bettman has been loyal, overly loyal to the idea of hockey in the dessert and tried every which way to get them a suitable, permanent arena.
Playing at ASU was clearly a stopgap while a permanent location was built and was likely sold to the other owners as such. I cannot see how the Coyotes can continue to play there when there is no permanent solution in sight.
At one time there was also talk of a new rink on Native lands near (I think Tempe) but that idea fizzled when the team went all-in on this latest failed plan.
Reviving that plan, means another year of talks and negotiations and uncertainty, while playing in the 5,000 seat arena...
I guess the next 2 weeks will be very telling. If Bettman has kept some back burner discussion regarding a rink on Native lands going then perhaps he gets those talks accelerated in a hurry. But if nothing else is even on the horizon it would be best to move the team before the start of next season, which means an announcement by the end of the month.
Houston and Salt Lake City seem like excellent fits with: arenas, owners, and fans available. Houston comes with a larger market, an instant in-state rival and a better location to remain in the Central Conference.
Salt Lake City would be a massive upgrade over what Phoenix currently has regarding arena and ticketing potential.
12 team H-2-H 1 year league, daily roster changes, 3 goalie start minimum/week
2xC, 2xRW, 2xLW, 4xD, 3xUtil, 2xG, 5 Bench
G, A, P, PIM, PPP, SHP, GWG, SOG, Hits, W, SV%, GAA, SVs
C: C. Keller, C. Mittelstadt, B. Nelson, R. Strome,
LW: K. Connor, B. Tkachuk, J. Gaudreau, J. Marchessault, E. Rodrigues, A. Lafreniere
RW: K. Fiala, J. Bratt, T. Jeannot V. Arvidsson
D: R. Josi, J. Trouba, E. Gustafsson,
G: L. Thompson, F. Gustavsson, V. Vanecek
NO IR