State Governor to meet with Gary Bettman about relocating the Coyotes
The Coyotes' future in Arizona is unclear at this time, while they will play at Mullett Arena for the 2023-24 season, beyond that it's more likely that they'll be relocated to another state.
While re-alignment would have to occur in this scenario, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont says he will be meeting with National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman about bringing the Coyotes to Hartford.
"This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town," he said. "It's evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years, still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here, and a government that's ready to come and be their partner."
"We will be talking, my hope is next week,» Lamont added. "Let him know about the serious interest that Connecticut has and in particular Hartford has."
Hartford has been without a National Hockey League franchise since the Whalers were relocated to Raleigh, where they became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997. The Whalers spent 18 years in the NHL between 1979 and 1997 after leaving the WHA and becoming an expansion franchise.
There are other cities certainly ahead of Hartford on the NHL's radar for potential relocation, including Houston and Salt Lake City. If the Coyotes were to relocate to Hartford, it's likely that they'll play out of XL Center, which holds 14,750 for hockey.
POLL |
Would you like to see the NHL return to Hartford? |
Yes | 46 | 32.2 % |
No, other cities are more deserving | 64 | 44.8 % |
Only if they'll be named the Whalers | 25 | 17.5 % |
See Results | 8 | 5.6 % |
List of polls |
|
53 minutes ago | By Tom Banks PK Subban Calls Out New York Rangers Analyst After Shocking Take On Star Jack Hughes |
|
3 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Washington Capitals Release A Very Surprising Update Regarding Alex Ovechkin's Status |
|
5 hours ago | By Tom Banks NHL on TNT Crew and the DoBS Suspend Brad Marchand For One Year After His Comments Towards Paul Bissonnette |
|
6 hours ago | By Tom Banks Anaheim Ducks Star Trevor Zegras Immediately Waves at the Ducks Bench After Going Down With Scary Injury |
|
19 hours ago | By Tom Banks Team Canada and Team USA Officially Announce Four Nations Roster With Several Surprising Decisions |
|
21 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente J.T. Miller Nearly Traded to Rangers by Canucks Two Years Ago: Is Their Renewed Interest a Coincidence? |
|
23 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Shocking Study Reveals 18 NHL Player Deaths Linked to CTE; Putting Gary Bettman Under Pressure |
|
Dec 4 | By Tom Banks Potential 2025 Top Draft Pick Suspended Just Days After Missing Team Canada Selection |
Previously on Bladeofsteel