The NHL has sealed the deal to relocate the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City starting next season. Despite the move, the new Utah team will stay in the Central Division, with no shuffling of the existing divisional alignments.
For Coyotes fans, it's been a tough pill to swallow. The beloved team won't just be moving cities, it'll be starting afresh under a new banner. The NHL clarified that the Coyotes' storied history and achievements will remain Arizona's legacy.
This decision paves the way for potentially reviving the Coyotes as an expansion team later on, a move underscored by a specific provision in the sale that allows former owner Alex Meruelo a shot at re-establishing the team in Arizona.
Amid these changes, there was speculation about possible divisional realignments, particularly involving Calgary and Edmonton. But the league has put those rumors to rest, confirming no shifts in division assignments. This keeps the new Salt Lake City team in the Central Division, maintaining the structure as it was with the Coyotes.
Looking ahead, if the NHL decides to expand back into Arizona, we might see discussions about realignment resurface. But given how dynamic league structures can be, only time will tell how things will shake out.
