The NHL, the Coyotes and Smith Entertainment Group, the organization headed by Jazz owner Ryan Smith, have made "significant and meaningful progress" on a deal that would "see the Coyotes franchise sold and relocated to Salt Lake City," according to sources. The agreement would have a "renamed and rebranded" team playing next season in Utah. Sources said Coyotes players "have been informed a 'verbal' agreement is in place," but also indicated that "no deal has been completed" and there is "much work to be done" (DAILY FACEOFF, 4/10). Coyotes players are reportedly "following the Utah relocation developments through the media and social media." There as also "not been any formal discussion between the team and the players about where things stand or any sale agreement," per a team source (X, 4/10).
Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega said "he's OK with" the Coyotes plan to build an arena in northeast Phoenix, "a massive change" from his position Monday when he "released a letter slamming the development site as 'not feasible, or welcome.'" In a letter "shared with journalists" yesterday, Ortega wrote he "has no problem with the development as long as its main access point faces Phoenix" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/10).
Regarding the speculation, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, "The league is continuing to work on a solution to what has been a challenging and difficult situation. But we are not in a position to comment beyond that" (THE ATHLETIC, 4/10).
