Elliotte Friedman says the NHL still wants Arizona back, but Phoenix isn't sitting at the front of the league's expansion line.
The former Coyotes market remains on the NHL's radar after the franchise relocated to Utah in 2024. The interest hasn't disappeared, even with other cities pushing ahead.
Friedman addressed Arizona's future while discussing NHL expansion and relocation on 32 Thoughts, making the league's continued interest clear.
"I do think they wanna go back to Arizona."
That doesn't mean Phoenix is next. Houston and Atlanta currently appear to have stronger positions if the NHL decides to add teams or revisit its market map.
NHLRumourReport summed up where Arizona stands: "Phoenix appears to be behind Houston and Atlanta in the expansion pecking order, but remains a city the NHL clearly wants to return to."
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Phoenix faces a crowded NHL expansion race
Houston and Atlanta offer the NHL two major American markets, and both could carry real weight when the league looks toward future U.S. media negotiations. Phoenix still has size on its side, but its path is less direct.
Arena stability also matters. Houston and Atlanta enter the conversation without the same recent franchise history attached to Arizona, where the Coyotes' long-running arena problems ultimately preceded their move to Utah.
That leaves Phoenix in an unusual spot. The NHL clearly hasn't closed the door, but league interest alone doesn't move a market ahead of cities with stronger immediate setups.
Arizona could become far more relevant if the league eventually explores a third or fourth expansion option. A committed ownership group and a credible arena plan would likely shape how seriously Phoenix can push its way back into the discussion.
For fans in the Valley, the bigger issue is timing. Houston and Atlanta appear to have the inside track today, meaning movement in those markets could dictate how quickly Arizona gets another opening.
The Coyotes may be gone, but the NHL's interest in Phoenix isn't. Friedman's comments make one point clear: Arizona remains alive in the conversation, just behind two markets carrying more momentum right now.
Should the NHL return to Phoenix before expanding elsewhere?
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