Coyotes, opposing players sound off on 5,000 seat venue

We're all aware of their years of ownership issues with the Arizona Coyotes, putting their future as an NHL franchise in serious doubt over the past decades. You would think that the fact that they were essentially kicked out of the arena they'd called home since late 2003 and forced to play in a collegiate rink that they wouldn't even have first billing rights on would be the ultimate embarrassment. 

Of course, there was also the humiliation of the fact that their new ECHL affiliate Atlanta Gladiators will be playing in a venue that seats 13,000 spectators, almost three time that of the newly named Mullett Arena at Arizona State University. 

But if you're looking for players to publicly slam their new (albeit temporary) new digs, think again. 

"Everything's brand new," Arizona winger Clayton Keller explained, looking for the positives. "We'll just go from there. The atmosphere will be cool … there's standing bleachers behind the net, which no NHL team has." 

"It's unique and brings a different aspect."

One of the major exports from the state of Arizona is none other than Toronto Maple Leafs superstar forward Auston Matthews, who credits watching the Coyotes as a youngster for getting him interested in the game that he now dominates. 

"I think it'll be pretty fun … the atmosphere and everything," Matthews said. "It's going to be kind of funny and interesting being in the NHL, playing in a rink like that."

"They're the reason I started playing hockey," he continued. "Don't think I'd be here if that team wasn't in Arizona … I'm hopeful that it all works out. And you never know when we'll get the next kid coming out of Arizona."

How about some of Matthews' fellow NHL marquee stars? 

"Certainly gonna be different," Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. "Not really too sure what to expect. Definitely hope it works out."

"I don't know," Colorado centre Nathan MacKinnon added with a smile. "We'll see, I guess."

The Coyotes are set to debut in their new home this Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets.