Preparations are underway in Salt Lake City as the possibility of an NHL team coming to town becomes more and more real. Prospective owner Ryan Smith, who also owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz, recently reached out on social media for suggestions on a team name, indicating his serious interest in bringing an NHL club to the city.
The Smith Entertainment Group has been pushing for an expansion process to begin, joining other groups in Atlanta who are also eager for a team. This comes at a time when the Arizona Coyotes are facing uncertainty about their future home, playing in a small arena and still searching for a long-term solution.
NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh has expressed frustration over the Coyotes’ situation, while Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated that owner Alex Meruelo is working on finding a solution. The Coyotes have committed to winning an auction for a plot of land in Phoenix that would house a new arena and entertainment district.
The league is reportedly working on separate schedule drafts in case a team ends up in Arizona or Utah, with the possibility of the Jazz’s Delta Center serving as a temporary home for a hockey team. Talks have been ongoing since 2022, with the NHL acknowledging Utah as a promising market.
While there are no current plans to expand the league beyond 32 teams, the potential addition of a team in Salt Lake City has generated excitement among fans and stakeholders. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
