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"Barn full of picks and assets" - Ryan Smith hints on how he plans to build his roster for Utah NHL team
Following the Arizona Coyotes move, Ryan Smith, the new owner of the Coyotes, unveiled his exciting plans for Salt Lake City's new NHL team.
During an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show," Smith said the move is like hitting the reset button, ready to kick things off fresh in Utah and bring in a whole new vibe and outlook for the franchise.
"I had a chance to sit down with everyone last week in Arizona, kind of right when the news hit, and I was like, it's all us," Smith said. "This is who we got, So let's go make it work. And let's go roll. And I think that's what we're excited about. So we're going to need to, obviously, build out the organization. But we're betting on who we got.
"We've got an incredibly young roster of some really, really good players, as well as a barn full of picks and assets. So it's a good spot."
The Coyotes have had quite the rollercoaster ride, dealing with uncertainties like finding a permanent arena and managing their finances. They've gone from playing in a small college arena to hitting roadblocks when trying to build a new one in Tempe. But now, with the decision to move to Utah, there's a chance for a fresh start.
Moving to Delta Center in Salt Lake City opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the team.
As things progress, a lot will depend on Ryan Smith's leadership and how he plans the future of hockey in Utah.
Exploring Ryan Smith's deal with Alex Meruelo to bring Yotes to Utah
The NHL board of governors unanimously approved a $1.2 billion sale of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah Jazz owners Ashley and Ryan Smith, facilitating the team's relocation to Utah next season. The deal includes an expansion team for Arizona if a new arena is built within five years.
Ryan Smith expressed Utah's potential as a hockey town:
"It's probably been two years where we've said, 'Hey, look, we really believe Utah can be an incredible hockey town.' You look at all the demographics, ... It all kind of made sense." (via The Associated Press)
The Coyotes will maintain their name, logo and trademark under Alex Meruelo's ownership. Meruelo reportedly aims to develop a new arena in north Phoenix and relocate the AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, to Mullett Arena.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Meruelo's commitment to Arizona:
"We thank Alex Meruelo for his commitment to the franchise and Arizona, and we fully support his ongoing efforts to secure a new home in the desert for the Coyotes."
Meruelo's decision to sell stemmed from concerns about the team's temporary venue (Mullett Arena) and a delayed arena auction. Despite the move, Meruelo retains ownership rights and plans to reactivate the team within five years.
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