NHL players are fed up with the ongoing Arizona Coyotes situation. Marty Walsh, Executive Director of the NHL Players Association, didn't hold back when expressing disappointment with the team and its ownership.
When asked about the Coyotes still playing in the 5000-seat Mullet Arena in Tempe, Walsh criticized the lack of communication from the team's ownership:
"I'm extremely disappointed in the ownership of Arizona, the president of Arizona. They have not reached out to talk to the PA about what the situation in Arizona is."
Highlighting the team's failure to meet previous deadlines for a new home, Walsh questioned the logic:
"How long do you wait to get a home? They're playing in a college arena, and they're the second tenant in that arena. This is not the way to run a business."
While there's news of land being purchased for a new Coyotes home, Walsh raised concerns about the timeline:
"So you can talk about buying land there in Arizona, but it's 10 years before a shovel goes in the ground? As far as I'm concerned, that's unacceptable on behalf of the players, and should be unacceptable on behalf of the league."
Highlighting the urgency, Walsh emphasized,
"The clock is ticking on Arizona, in my opinion."
Beyond arena size, the players' concerns extend to substandard travel, lodging, and logistical issues, echoing rumors from 2023. The pressure is mounting for the Coyotes to find a more suitable and permanent home.
