More bad news for Bettman and the Coyotes: it could bode well for the Nordiques
For 15 years, the saga surrounding the survival of the Arizona Coyotes has generated much more buzz than the team's performance on the ice.
Finally, last April, this saga reached a sad conclusion for hockey fans in the desert, as the team was sold to Ryan Smith and relocated to Salt Lake City for the start of the 2024-2025 season.
This meant the official end of hockey in Arizona, but Gary Bettman had nonetheless promised Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo the possibility of resurrecting the Coyotes in a future expansion if he managed to build a new arena.
However, as reported this week, it seems this time that the Coyotes have definitely played their last game in the desert.
In an interview with Sportsnet insider Eric Engels, the NHL commissioner confirmed that Alex Meruelo had informed the league that he would not attempt to revive the Arizona Coyotes.
The Arizona Coyotes are done, and it's embarrassing for Gary Bettman
It is worth noting that a few weeks ago, the cancellation of an auction for land that could have potentially allowed the organization to establish itself ended the owner's plan.
Despite all these obstacles, Bettman still seems to believe in the Arizona market.
Let's just say we are not at all surprised by his response, given how hard he fought to keep the Coyotes franchise in the NHL.
That said, this news could very well be positive for Quebec, because with Arizona seemingly out of the picture for a potential expansion, it opens the door for the Nordiques to finally be resurrected, unlike the Coyotes.
Credit: Go Nordiques
Québec: véritable catastrophe pour les Coyotes de l'Arizona et Gary Bettman
Credit: Journal de Québec
La renaissance des Coyotes, ce n'est pas pour bientôt
| POLL | ||
Which of these cities do you think will get an NHL team first? | ||
| Quebec | 242 | 37.3 % |
| Arizona | 71 | 11 % |
| Other | 335 | 51.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
