In an interview with Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman shortly after the National Hockey League’s Board of Regents met Thursday afternoon, league commissioner Gary Pittman gave an update on the Arizona Coyotes’ arena pursuit.
While they continue to search for a site to build a new NHL-sized facility, the Coyotes will play their home games at the 4,600-seat Mullett Arena on the ASU campus in 2023-2024. They had already proposed building a 16,000-seat arena in Tempe, but that idea was rejected by the general public in a May referendum.
The Wolves are now scouting various arena locations in and around Phoenix, and according to Bateman, additional information on the matter is expected by the halfway point in the following season.
“They are in the process of exploring alternatives that are in the greater Phoenix area, and they have a number of options,” Bateman said. “I think by the middle of the season we should have a good handle on their situation and if we need to explore more options at that time we will consult with the management and figure out what to do.”
After the city of Glendale canceled its contract at the NHL-sized (but far-reaching) Gila River Arena, now known as the Desert Diamond Arena, the Coyotes played the 2022-23 season at Mullett Arena.
“Obviously, playing at Mullett has to be a temporary solution and there has to be a permanent solution on the horizon,” Bateman said. “This is something I know [Coyotes owner] Alex Meruelo W [CEO] Xavier Gutierrez is very focused and very optimistic.”
Bettman confirmed that there are no other NHL member clubs currently on the market, as the sale of the Ottawa Senators has been completed in principle.
He also addressed rumors that if they could not find a rink option on their own, they might seek to work with incoming Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ichpeia: “As far as I know, there haven’t been any discussions.”
With a record of 28-40-14 and 70 points in 82 games, the Wolves finished the 2022-23 season in 7th place in the Central Division and 27th overall in the league. They are projected to make their first round picks in the 2023 NHL Draft at the sixth and twelfth positions, respectively.