The National Hockey League will hold a board call at 3 p.m. ET Thursday to walk governors through the sale/relocation process for the Arizona Coyotes, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports.
LeBrun adds the league. which has asked teams to have one governor per team on the call, will hold a board vote as part of the proceedings.
There had been question as late as yesterday whether today's NHL Board of Governors call would be purely an update or whether there would indeed be a vote on the sale/re-location; sources say there is indeed a Board vote expected on today's call. Which obviously isn't surprising. https://t.co/bHzFD1NIJD
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 18, 2024
The Associated Press reported Saturday that the Coyotes will likely be sold to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and the deal will include a provision guaranteeing current owner Alex Meruelo an expansion team in Arizona if a new arena is built within five years.
LeBrun reported this week that the NHL wants to have the relocation to settled before the NHL playoffs begin on Saturday, though that was not guaranteed.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger adds that assuming the sale and relocation is approved, Smith is expected to meet with Coyotes players and staff Thursday in Arizona.
Assuming the NHL Board of Governors approves the relocation of the Coyotes to Utah via vote this afternoon, Utah Jazz owner and soon to be Yotes owner Ryan Smith is expected to meet with Coyotes players and staff today in Arizona.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 18, 2024
The Coyotes played what's expected to be their final game in Arizona on Wednesday, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2.
“This is the last one in Arizona for a little bit and we wanted to have a good effort, show that to the fans," Coyotes forward Clayton Keller after the win.
The Coyotes have been in Arizona since relocating from Winnipeg in 1996.
