NHL Insider Reveals NHL's Top Relocation Cities For Arizona

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Tyler Ball
October 4, 2023 (5:06 PM)

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It is no secret that the Arizona Coyotes have been on the brink of relocation for a while now. Each season new rumors seem to come up. Today an NHL insider gives an inside look at what cities might be considered if the Coyotes do move.

Insider Reveals Relocation Contenders

Today NHL insider Kevin Weekes revealed some interesting news regarding potential relocation. Today he took to X to announce what cities have expressed interest in an NHL franchise. The list features some locations already known with a few new places sprinkled in.

Similar to @NHL in terms of no official process, yet plenty of interest expressed from the following and more ** In No Particular Order**
- Quebec City
- Salt Lake City
- South Forsyth (Metro Atlanta)
- Houston
- Portland
- San Diego
- 2nd Club GTA Toronto
#HockeyTwitter

The three most surprising additions to this list are Portland, San Diego, and the GTA Toronto market. All three of these markets had not been previously mentioned as having any interest or traction toward an NHL franchise.

The rest of the markets have been the ones most heavily associated with a future NHL team. Both expansion and relocation have been mentioned in conjunction with Quebec City, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Houston.

A Favorite To Succeed The Coyotes Emerges

After sending out a post about all of those cities Kevin Weekes revealed who the current front-runner is. According to his sources, the South Forsyth (Atlanta) market is the furthest along in being able to take on an NHL team.

**Keep an eye on**
Re
@NHL
Expansion
I'm told South Forsyth (Atlanta) got through state approvals for their development project and seems to be the leader of the pack at this time of cities without an arena yet. #HockeyTwitter

Atlanta with their state approvals can now truly start to begin planning their development of an arena. With the approval of the state this likely means they will begin work on the new stadium in the near future.

Once progress is made in the construction of the stadium and surrounding area both relocation and expansion talks will heat up. If the Coyotes continue to fail in finding a permanent home the NHL and the organization may have no other option than to move.