Is the NHL’s return to Arizona one step closer?

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, and the first step to bring the NHL back to Arizona was taken on Monday.

NHL insider Craig Morgan reported that Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Galvin announced the formation of a committee of political and business leaders to bring the NHL back to Arizona, and Morgan also confirmed NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met with Galvin on Zoom before Christmas.

The news took social media by storm. Many reacted with blind optimism. Others expressed doubt or wrote off the announcement’s meaning. As expected, the haters emerged, bashing on any attempt to resurrect the NHL in Arizona.

Which reaction is the right one? As always with anything Coyotes-related, the answer is complicated. 

Why you should be excited

Understandably, the report sparked enthusiasm among the dormant Coyotes fanbase, and for good reason. Most fans didn’t expect to hear any news in the near future, let alone just days after the New Year.

And let’s get one thing clear: The news is good.

Does it mean an ownership group has been identified? No. Does it mean a building site has been secured? No. Does it mean the NHL’s return is official? Also no.

But it does offer one thing that’s been missing in the past, which is the public support of political and business leaders in Arizona.

Remember the contentious Glendale City Council Meetings? Tempe council members and businesses publicly opposing the Tempe Entertainment District? Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego’s cold messaging around former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo?

The Coyotes weren’t exactly embraced throughout their 28-year stint in Arizona by the political and business community. Sure, some Tempe council members made their support of the TED public, but in the end, that decision was up to the voters who overwhelmingly opposed the measure.

Galvin’s proclamation goes against what many in the Arizona hockey community have come to expect in the past. Real, public and intentional support from decision makers with power and influence goes a long way in a political landscape that historically turned its back on the Coyotes.

The most significant part of Monday’s announcement, though, was that Bettman spoke to Galvin.

“I have had several meetings with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and he looks forward to working with us to identify an owner and the best location for a world-class building,” Galvin said at the Maricopa County Board’s meeting on Monday.

Corresponding with the commissioner adds legitimacy. This isn’t just lip service, or a hockey fan in a public position speaking out. Galvin seems to be serious about making this happen. Now he needs to follow through.

Why you should be cautious

In the 1,000-mile journey, there are still 999 to go.

The formation of a committee aimed at bringing the NHL back to Arizona is exciting news, but it’s not exactly concrete. It’s not an ownership group, it’s not land, it’s not shovels in the ground, it’s not a building, and it’s certainly not an expansion team.

The Coyotes’ 28-year history was an arduous one. Bad ownership groups made worse decisions that culminated in the team’s deactivation and relocation to Salt Lake City. The organization tried and failed to secure its roots in Scottsdale, Tempe (twice) and Phoenix. 

Would it be any different a second time around?

There are so many hurdles ahead. It begins with a stable and secure ownership group that believes in the importance of hockey in the Valley above all else. It hinges on securement of land and then a building process that is bound to face obstacles. And none of that even guarantees the NHL would choose to expand to Arizona.

So while the news of the committee is a step in the right direction, it’s only one small step.

The bottom line

The truth is, all of the above can be true at once. You can be thrilled, excited, overjoyed, hopeful, jaded, pessimistic, agitated, and skeptical all at the same time.

You can find hope in Galvin’s announcement while also understanding there’s a long way to go.

Thus is the life of an Arizona hockey fan. It’s never simple, it’s never straightforward and it’s never easy.

In an uncertain landscape, one thing is for certain: When an NHL team returns, Arizona will be ready.