If the Arizona Coyotes were to move, what city do you think they would move to? And what would their team name be?
My ideal city to have an NHL team is Milwaukee. Wisconsin is a huge hockey state with some great college programs too. And Wisconsin fans are loyal AF. They have an AHL team but it’s not the same.
All of the teams people usually list either had one and failed or don’t have a hockey culture.
So many people are turned off from the Blackhawks organization that people in that area are ripe for an NHL team. The WI state rivalries with MN and IL teams are so fierce in all other sports that it’s weird to be a fan of a team in a rival state. They already have NBA, MLB, NFL teams that get huge support and a big corporate base and an arena.
Edit I have never lived in WI.
I'm hoping for the Milwaukee Frozen Fish Sticks
The Milwaukee Cheese
The first of the major four sports to drop into Austin will have first mover advantage.
Quebec (City) Nordiques.
I'd definitely move it to Quebec to summon the Nordiques again.
Realistically, Houston. It is the largest city in the United States or Canada without an NHL team, and it would make sense geographically for the central division.
Quebec City would be cool, but the NHL already makes money off of the hockey fans there. The league will only add/move teams to places that don’t already have hockey fans. It makes sense in a backwards sort of way.
Joke answer: Mexico City Coyotes
I’d love it if they moved to SLC, Utah so I wouldn’t have to drive 6+ hours for an NHL game. But realistically I’d say Quebec, Houston or Atlanta
What is the hockey scene like in Utah? I've never been but I have always been curious just because it always seemed like a place that'd have a team
It has grown a ton in the last decade. When I grew up playing, we had 1 AAA midget team, 2 AA midget teams, an AHL/ECHL team, and then a few youth programs.
The Olympics helped, but there were 2 WSHL junior A teams that moved here in Utah and youth hockey has exploded since.
We now have 4 Junior A hockey teams that are fun to watch, youth hockey everywhere, we usually get 1 preseason NHL game and still have an ECHL team. Between the 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah getting a few competitive Junior A teams, and SLC possibly getting the Winter Olympics again in the future, hockey has exploded and has been way more competitive. For a preseason Junior A game about 30 mins north of SLC, there were 2k fans that showed up.
There are a ton of beer leagues out here too. We’ll get former pros, a ton of former D1 college and then ankle benders, basically beer league for every level of talent. It’s nuts how much hockey has grown here the past 12 years
That's awesome, yeah I remember watching the SLC Olympics as a kid and thinking Utah seemed like a place that'd really embrace it if they got a team of their own
I'd prefer to move the Coyotes there if Quebec was a no go.
I would LOVE that!!!
Kansas City Coyotes Wisconsin Coyotes (apparently badgers and coyotes hunt together)
I too learned that yesterday !
Hamilton Hilbillies
Hartford Whalers
Hot take
Wouldn't even have to change names in Houston.
Saskatoon. Call them Saskatchewan Yeti.
Hartford again everything was amazing except the players and fans 😭
It’s 50/50 between Houston and Atlanta.
Puslinch Hicks
1 missing reply
Atlanta. It’s just going to be a constant 3 city rotation. Atlanta -> Winnipeg -> Phoenix -> Atlanta