Report: Seattle, NHL in talks to bring Coyotes to Northwest

The Coyotes could relocate to Seattle if a lease agreement with Glendale, Ariz. does not come through. (NHLI via Getty Images)

Seattle could not bring the Sacramento Kings to town, but the Emerald City could soon be adding an NHL team.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn acknowledged that he has spoken with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about the Phoenix Coyotes possibly relocating to Seattle, according to NBC affiliate King 5.

The mayor told King 5 that he and two city councilmembers met with investors Ray Bartoszek and Anthony Lanza about bringing the team to Key Arena in the fall. The team would play at Key Arena, which can fit 11,000 fans for hockey, for two seasons.

From King 5:

"I let (Bettman) know of the situation here, and that we were supportive of bringing the NHL to Seattle," McGinn said. "We have Key Arena, so we talked about the potential of them being in Key Arena, while we continue to work on a new arena plan."

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly would not characterize the discussions between McGinn and Bettman, and told KING5 the conversation was "like any number of conversations the Commissioner has all the time with a variety of people."

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The NHL has given Glendale, Ariz. until June 25th to work out a lease agreement with the Coyotes. Sources said last week that a "framework" for a lease agreement was in place. Bettman acknowledged that the team could relocate if a deal was not done.

From King 5:

McGinn said, while the news is encouraging, "I really want to bring down expectations. We are very clearly Plan B for the NHL and this team. I feel compelled to say this after the experience we had with Sacramento than the likelihood of us having a team here in a couple of weeks is low."