Head Of NHLPA Torches Gary Bettman

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Craig Forde
November 13, 2023 (9:49 PM)

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Martin Walsh has been the executive director of the NHLPA for less than a year, but he is not shying away from letting NHL commissioner Gary Bettman know that there is something in need of more immediate attention.

Walsh Thinks Arizona Should Take Precedence

At the PrimeTime Sports Management Conference in Toronto on Monday, Walsh was asked about the status of adding new franchises, something that has been a hot topic for some time now.

While the NHLPA head did acknowledge the rumors, he also noted that the league should maybe be less concerned about two new teams and more concerned about figuring out the Arizona Coyotes situation, noting that their current tenant situation is not befitting an NHL franchise.

"They're playing right now in a college arena, 5,100 fans that go to those games, and they don't sell out. I think that's the first thing we have to do, figure out what is the long-term play on Arizona. Those players are National Hockey League players. They deserve to play in a National Hockey League rink."

Since the 2022-23 season, the Coyotes have played their home games at the University of Arizona's Mullet Arena, a facility in Tempe with a capacity for 5,100 fans.

When Arizona initially relocated, it was supposed to for two seasons but at this point the NHL has made not efforts to assist the club in finding a long-term solution for a big problem.

"They had promised they were going to work on some stuff. Right now, it's just speculation. There's nothing concrete. We're at November 12, the season's moving quickly. I'd love to see more action."

Walsh took over as executive director of the NHLPA in February of this year, after serving as Secretary of Labor for the United States.

Source: NHLPA's Walsh on Coyotes: 'These are NHL players. They deserve an NHL rink.'