Coyotes relocation to Utah could cause Pacific Division Realignment

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Ryan Hall
April 11, 2024 (11:46)

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As news earlier today trickled out that the Arizona Coyotes may be on the move to Salt Lake City, a potential realignment of the NHL's divisions may be in the works. Avalanche analyst Adrian Dater tweet it out a possible scenario of what would happen to the avalanche if Salt Lake City became an NHL city.

Realigning NHL teams to other divisions is strictly to help with travel as many teams in the West have longer distances to travel than the east as cities are far closer together. It's likely this realignment would be part of the work that's being done now.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has made it a mission during his tenure of the NHL that they would rather not move franchises to other cities as the league likes to build rivalries and fanbases in certain areas. It's becoming clear that there are no options left for the Arizona area and the league would like to keep the Coyotes franchise running which has led to Salt Lake City.

It seems that the Arizona Coyotes demise in Arizona appears to be imminent as several sources including Elliotte Friedman of the 32 thoughts podcast has stated that an announcement may be imminent and potentially on April 18th that the Coyotes will become part of Salt Lake city's sports universe.

In the long run, this relocation is necessary for the NHL and its ownership group as many owners have stated they're tired of trying to make this work and with the substandard Mullett Arena that has angered the NHLPA and Marty Walsh, this debacle may finally have in end in sight.