Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont wants NHL team to relocate in Hartford

The burning question around the NHL remains the future of the Arizona Coyotes, and which cities will be in contention should the franchise be forced to relocate.

Houston, Québec City and Kansas City among others have been at the forefront of relocation/expansion discussions, though another contender has emerged. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday he would love to bring the NHL back to Hartford, and has discussed the possibility with league commissioner Gary Bettman.

“This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont said, via the Associated Press. “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.”

Connecticut has been out of the NHL since the Hartford Whalers left for Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1997. The Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes after the relocation. The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA remain the lone professional sports franchise in the state. The Sun play in a 10,000-seat venue not built for hockey.

City of Tempe rejects Coyotes’ proposal leaving NHL future in doubt

The Coyotes, meanwhile, are coming off a season in which they played their home games inside the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University. The franchise sought to build a 16,000-seat arena and an entertainment district on city-owned land at Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive, at the west end of Tempe Town Lake, per ESPN. The city of Tempe rejected the franchise’s proposal of the $2.1 billion entertainment district.

Private funding would have covered $1.9 billion of the estimated $2.1 billion cost. It would have included two hotels, a 3,500-person theater and up to 1,995 residential units. All for naught in the end, leaving the Coyotes’ future in the desert in doubt.

Bettman expressed his disappointment with the vote in a statement.

“We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward,” Bettman said.

Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez said the team will play the 2023-24 season at Mullett Arena.

“We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303,” Gutierrez said in a statement. While we wanted a different outcome, we remain grateful to all those who volunteered their time and talent. What is next for the franchise will be evaluated by our owners and the National Hockey League over the coming weeks.”