Per Friedman: Coyotes players told team moving to Utah starting next season (Mod warning post #50)

[Headshot77]

I think SLC should keep the name and jerseys. They are gorgeous. Then when Arizona gets their expansion franchise they start from scratch to erase the memory of this tumultuous era.

 

[Spirits]

It's called hiring competent management

Vegas was gifted a top team by the NHL.

 

[JKG33]

Are there restrictions or clauses against skiing in NHL contracts?

Unironically yes. This is something Freidman's mentioned a few times on his podcast, and surely will again soon now

 

[Empoleon8771]

Dude this is not done.
The team said 5 days ago that the auction is the focus. If that fails they will relocate.
So it makes sense to work on a agreement so that the potential relocation can be quick. Thats good for the league, the team and the current owner.

BUT it does not mean that they will relocate. Its a contingency plan.
And it got leaked to the press that goes nuts about it and does not report neutral enough.

The "team" won't be what it was if/when the NHL buys the Coyotes from Mereulo.

I think what going to happen is that the NHL will buy the Coyotes and sell them to Smith, and Mereulo is going to work independently without a team to get the arena deal sorted out in Arizona. Once that is sorted out, Mereulo will then get an expansion team.

 

[HanSolo]

Not an Arizona fan, but an Arizona native.

I know this place will get a new team most likely, but I'm not sure it will be any better unless they get the Vegas treatment and are gifted a top 5 team from jump street. Vegas has done jack shit to deserve the team they have, but the NHL made it succeed.

Weird how Seattle got the exact same rules and didn't get a "top 5 team"

 

[TD Charlie]

OK, I admit...Mullett really was temporary. That one guy arguing in favor wins.

 

[93LEAFS]

I feel bad for the actual Coyotes fans if this comes to fruition. I know there aren't enough of them currently for the market to be viable, but there are clearly passionate fans who will be hurt by the team moving. Anyone who tries to go to games, watches on tv or waste as much time here as we do.clearly cares.

As for Arizona getting an expansion team? Possible, but I don't think they immediately jump to the front of the line unless the arena is built. You have to think the NHL has more interest in Houston and Atlanta just based on market size. And, it's not like those cities don't have wealth/large companies and aren't also rapidly growing too.

 

[HolyGhost]

 

[Voight]

Vegas was gifted a top team by the NHL.

Please explain how. Last I checked, there was an expansion draft and teams were allowed to protect players.

 

[Empoleon8771]

There are concerns about all the secondary points for sure, like water, electricity, etc. However, the matter of fact is that most people who want land in the greater Phoenix area during these bidding processes, tend to win it. I don't think the Coyotes' management would show the drawings and business plan and then sell them to Utah a week later. That would be nonsense, even for a shady businessman.

The thing is, I think the "Coyotes management" in this case is still working on the drawings and business plan to get the arena. It's just not going to be the "Coyotes" anymore, it's going to be the "Arizona expansion team".

Mereulo isn't giving up on getting an arena in Arizona and having a professional sports team there. He's just selling his current team to someone who will move it to Salt Lake City.

 

[HolyGhost]

not sure is this is the proper place for this video--but it is from legit sources

 

[FlyguyOX]

FINALLY

 

[Spirits]

There are concerns about all the secondary points for sure, like water, electricity, etc.

Eventually the agricultural sector is going to be told to get f***ed with farming in the desert. They use like 72% of the water resources.

 

[PBandJ]

I have my doubts, but I also doubt Seravelli is putting his name on this without being sure.

Sucks for the Yotes fans if it does happen. Even the idea of sell and expand later blows because the current team has a lot of potential.

 

[NYI365]

 

[93LEAFS]

Are there restrictions or clauses against skiing in NHL contracts?

Yes, I believe against Motorcycles and stuff too. You can violate it, but if you get injured doing it, they can void your contract. Tons of activities deemed high risk that if you get injured doing can get your contract voided.

 

[HolyGhost]

lots of information coming out in the last 24 hours, The issues for the land is interesting,

 

[Coffey]

And I'm already a Jazz fan since the 90s, so I could cheer for these idiots too.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Unironically yes. This is something Freidman's mentioned a few times on his podcast, and surely will again soon now

Gotcha thanks. Yeah I was legitimately asking.

I imagined it was a thing with a bunch of mid 20s millionaires playing in Denver

 

[Empoleon8771]

From Friedman:

The NHL is working as the broker, handling negotiations with both current Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo and prospective Utah steward Ryan Smith. Initially, the hope was to let the June 27 auction play out, but two concerns emerged: first, about what would happen if the Meruelo lost the auction, and second, the possibility of three more seasons at Mullett Arena. There wasn’t much enthusiasm for the latter.

Multiple sources indicate a real scenario is Meruelo being paid $1 billion for the team, and Smith paying $1.2 billion to purchase. But the real key is what the NHL will promise Meruelo to avoid this ending up in court.

Those same sources indicate he could be offered a five-year exclusive window to “bring back” the Coyotes as an expansion franchise — although there would be certain language stating what would need to be accomplished for him to return. (The league definitely desires a return to the market if it leaves.)

This all makes sense. Even taking out the aspect of Meruelo possibly losing the bid, the thought of winning the bid but still having 3 years in Mullett is pretty crappy when Salt Lake City is right there.

It gives Meruelo basically 5 years to figure out the arena situation and get it built, where he'll get an expansion team in Arizona if he can do that.

 

[LOFIN]

AS SOON AS APRIL 18th

NHL, Arizona Coyotes preparing for possible relocation to Utah

The NHL and the Arizona Coyotes are preparing for the possibility of a move to Utah as soon as April 18, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Headshot77]

FINALLY

Come on man, show some respect. This shouldn't be a place for dancing on corpses.

Arizona deserves the NHL, but this did need to happen.

 

[These Are The Days]

Weird how Seattle got the exact same rules and didn't get a "top 5 team"

View attachment 849411

That's what happens when people who don't know anything about anything all jump on an easy hot take. Everyone just assumed the Knights would be terrible because it was easy. How a team with Theodore and MAF was supposed to be so bad is beyond me

 

[Voight]

I'm not convinced Meruelo would even stick around to build An arena if the team moves.

Sure, there's a money making aspect (tho I'm sure he has lots of opportunities available) but he has no ties to the area.

 

[HolyGhost]

Are there restrictions or clauses against skiing in NHL contracts?

there could be. Russian D man got into trouble a decade ago for dog sledding when it was in his contract he could not do it. Several players used to have "sky diving" bans in their contracts. Anything views as dangerous or harmful could be in the contract