Arizona Ranked 3rd Most Preferred NHL Expansion Destination

Players poll shows Arizona as top choice after Houston and Quebec City

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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In a recent poll of NHL players by The Athletic, Arizona was ranked the third most preferred destination for the next NHL expansion team, behind only Houston and Quebec City. Players cited the potential for a new arena location closer to the Phoenix metro area as a key factor in their preference for Arizona.

Why it matters

The NHL has not had a team in Arizona since the Coyotes relocated to Utah in 2024 after years of financial struggles and arena issues in the Glendale and Tempe areas. A new NHL team in Arizona could reignite fan interest and provide an economic boost to the region.

The details

The poll of 118 anonymous NHL players saw Houston receive the most votes with 48, followed by Quebec City with 25, and then Arizona with 15 votes. Players expressed a desire for a new Arizona team to be located closer to the heart of the Phoenix metro area, rather than the more remote Glendale location the Coyotes played in for over 20 years. An advisory panel has been formed to explore bringing an NHL franchise back to the state.

  • The Coyotes played in Arizona from 1996 to 2024 before relocating to Utah.
  • In 2022, the Coyotes moved to the smaller Mullett Arena in Tempe for their final two seasons in Arizona.
  • In December 2025, an advisory panel was formed to explore bringing an NHL team back to Arizona.

The players

Andrea Doan

Chair of the advisory panel focused on bringing an NHL franchise back to Arizona. She is the wife of long-time Coyotes captain Shane Doan.

Ryan and Ashley Smith

Owners of the Utah Jazz who purchased the Coyotes in 2024 and relocated the team to Salt Lake City, rebranding them as the Utah Mammoth.

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What’s next

The advisory panel chaired by Andrea Doan will continue to explore options and build support for bringing an NHL franchise back to Arizona.

The takeaway

Despite the Coyotes' struggles and relocation, there appears to be strong interest among NHL players in seeing the league return to Arizona, particularly if a new arena can be built in a more central Phoenix location. This suggests the potential for a successful NHL franchise in the state if the right conditions are met.