The Arizona Coyotes' saga finally came to a close in April 2024. After years of struggling to secure a permanent arena deal in Arizona, the NHL approved the team's relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah. The new ownership group, led by Ryan and Ashley Smith, who also own the Utah Jazz, purchased the franchise and will begin play in the 2024-25 season.
This move marks the second relocation for the franchise, which originally began as the Winnipeg Jets. The Coyotes struggled to build a strong fanbase in Arizona, often playing in arenas not ideal for hockey. The hope is that Utah, with its passionate sports fans and existing arena, the Vivint Smart Home Arena (home to the Jazz), will provide a more stable and supportive environment for the team.
The future also holds the possibility of Arizona getting an expansion team within the next five years if a new arena is built.