Bettman's Plan to Save the Coyotes Is Officially in Motion

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Wade Messier
March 15, 2023 (7:23 PM)

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The fate of the Arizona Coyotes franchise, one of the NHL's most controversial clubs, will be decided on May 16th by the citizens of Tempe, Arizona. If the proposed entertainment district fails the upcoming vote, the Coyotes will be left without a future home in Arizona. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been a strong supporter of the franchise, and has repeatedly denied rumors that the Coyotes will leave Arizona, but just how far is he willing to go to ensure that?

Is Connor Bedard the Answer to Saving Arizona?

The league officially announced today that the NHL's draft lottery will take place on May 8th, just eight days before the vote in Tempe is held. Could this be a strategic move by the NHL to sway voters in favor of the proposed arena?

Connor Bedard has been labeled a generational prospect by many scouts, and whatever team drafts him will immediately be closer to contending status. Arizona currently has the 7th best odds at drafting 1st overall and selecting Bedard, and the race to the bottom is tighter than ever.

Some have begun to speculate that the NHL is hosting the draft lottery ahead of the Tempe election in hopes that Arizona wins the lottery and drafts 1st overall. The idea of drafting a franchise altering player such as Bedard could sway many voters in favor of a new arena for the Coyotes, and change the outcome of the vote.

Furthermore, it appears some fans think that Bettman may rig the draft lottery in favor of Arizona to guarantee the franchise wins the right to draft Bedard. The idea that the NHL draft lottery is rigged has existed as long as the lottery has been in place. Some of the more notable theories include the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the Crosby lottery, which saved their franchise from almost certain bankruptcy, and the Montreal Canadiens winning the lottery last year to pick 1st overall as the hosts of the draft.

Arizona is all but guaranteed to get a great player in this upcoming draft, as there's no shortage of top-end talent in the first round. A prospect like Bedard just might be enough, however, to save the franchise from the brink of relocation.

As Read On HockeyFeed - Suspicious Coincidence About Connor Bedard Gets NHL Fans Worried and Ready «to riot»