Tyson Nash nearly in tears ahead of final Coyotes game in Arizona

It takes a lot to make a former National Hockey League player who was known as one of the tougher customers in the game come to the verge of tears, but that's what occurred tonight ahead of the final Arizona Coyotes game at Mullett Arena ahead of their impending relocation to Salt Lake City. 

The Coyotes are hosting Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the last game that the franchise will ever play in the Desert State, and it's certainly a tough time for those who wanted to see it succeed despite the difficult circumstances. And among those feeling a sense of loss is former Coyotes forward and current analyst Tyson Nash, who has served in his capacity since the end of his playing days. 

"This is absolutely gut wrenching, heart breaking," Nash said. "Best city in the world, I'm absolutely in shock, and possibly, we have lost our hockey team. It was a gift - the NHL gave us a gift in Arizona, and we possibly just lost it.

I'm on the brink of tears, I can tell you that." 

Earlier, he spoke about the effect that the loss of the Coyotes will have on young hockey fans along with the grassroots movement of hockey fandom that produced Auston Matthews, who grew up a Coyotes fan in Arizona. 

"I've seen people sobbing, crying today as this team is going away," he said. "It is very sad. The best scorer in today's game wouldn't be in the league if Arizona didn't have a team. Not having a team will hurt the grassroots level of hockey in Arizona."

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