Arizona Coyotes players were informed Friday that the team would be relocating to Utah, a source told ESPN, confirming a report from PHNX Sports.
Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong met with players ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers and confirmed what has been rumored all week. That's what the NHL is working to facilitate a sale to Utah Jazz owners Ryan Smith and Ashley Smith. The Coyotes will begin playing there next season.
The NHL and Smith's group are working on a deal, but officials told ESPN on Friday night that nothing is set in stone and there is a lot of work to do before a deal is finalized.
Sources told ESPN that an announcement is expected to be made next week at the end of the NHL regular season.
Coyotes players and staff will be invited to visit Salt Lake City after the final game of the season to tour the city and facilities.
The team plans to play at Delta Center, which Smith owns and is also home to the NBA's Jazz. But sources told ESPN that the NHL made it clear to Smith that the Delta Center would need hockey-specific renovations in order to become the team's permanent home.
Mr. Smith already has government support. The Utah Senate has passed a bill that would fund a renovated downtown entertainment district in anticipation of an NHL franchise. The bill has already been approved by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has been searching for years to find a permanent home for the Coyotes, who temporarily play their home games at Arizona State University's Mallett Arena. Meruelo is eyeing land in the Phoenix area and plans to bid on it at a state-run land auction on June 27th. However, sources say the NHL became skeptical of the schedule and decided it needed a better solution for next season.
The NHL is interested in returning to Arizona in the future and will leave Meruelo open to becoming a team owner.