Nash Daily: Predators Snap Skid, Coyotes’ Latest Effort For New Arena

One of the more controversial topics around the NHL for many years has been the instability and playing location of the Arizona Coyotes.

It’s also been no secret that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL front office remains committed to keeping professional hockey in the greater Phoenix area, but issues with funding/building a new arena have continued to plague the franchise and the league.

Currently, the Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University. The arena has a capacity of roughly 5,000, which is drastically lower than the rest of the league. This decreased capacity has a significant impact not only on the playing environment and faculty amenities for home and visiting players, but also significantly decreases hockey-related revenue that impact the salary cap and bottom line of every team. Not to mention, Arizona is pro-rated into that revenue split.

But around 10 p.m. CT Thursday night, the Arizona Coyotes announced their commitment to winning the land auction to be held on June 27 along with a video proposal of their new arena.

The wait is finally over!

Introducing the new arena that the Coyotes plan to build in North Phoenix off of Scottsdale Road & the 101 freeway. #YotesForever

For More Info: https://t.co/PzpKDqasMr pic.twitter.com/B3S6cjleA3

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 5, 2024

While this commitment is a great first start, management still has to win the auction. Whether or not this is a foregone conclusion remains up for debate with many not fully buying into the idea until it is official in writing, bringing this long, tedious process to an end. The Coyote’s official website provides a countdown until the auction along with further specifics on the proposal. 

Nashville Hockey Now

The Nashville Predators snapped their three-game losing streak, knocking off the St. Louis Blues on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena. Here’s the Plus/Minus report from that game.

On the latest “Gold Standard” podcast, NHN’s Michael Gallagher discusses how concerned fans should be with the Predators’ three-game losing streak and if the team should be concerned about the defense or the power play. 

After an excellent month of March in which he scored 12 goals and 23 points in 13 games, Predators forward Filip Forsberg was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Month.

Predators 2023 first-round pick Matthew Wood has decided to leave UConn after two seasons and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Nashville’s 2021 fourth-round pick Ryan Ufko signed his ELC last week. Here’s how his deal works and why he’s playing in Milwaukee before that contract begins.

Central Division Standings

1. Dallas Stars — 48-19-9 105 points (6 games remaining)

2. Colorado Avalanche — 48-22-6 102 points (6 games remaining)

3. Winnipeg Jets — 46-24-6 98 points (6 games remaining)

4. Nashville Predators – 44-28-4 92 points (6 games remaining)

5. St. Louis Blues — 38-30-4 80 points (10 games remaining)

6. Minnesota Wild – 34-28-9 77 points (11 games remaining)

7. Arizona Coyotes 30-37-5 65 points (10 games remaining)

8. Chicago Blackhawks — 21-46-5 47 points (10 games remaining)

Wild Card Standings (top 2 clinch playoff spot)

1. Nashville Predators – 44-28-4 92 points (6 games remaining)

2. Los Angeles Kings – 40-25-11 91 points (6 games remaining)

3. St. Louis Blues — 40-32-4 84 points (6 games remaining)

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

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Chicago Hockey Now: How Should The Blackhawks Build If They Win The Lottery Again? 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins Room: Sullivan Proud; The Swagger Is Back

San Jose Hockey Now: NHL Scouts Talk Collin Graf’s Ceiling (+)

Follow Clay Brewer on Twitter/X: @ClayBrewer10

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