Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he's planning to meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford.

Lamont told reporters during a news availability that he has reached out to the NHL and hopes the meeting can take place sometime next week.

"This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town," Lamont said. "It's evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years -- still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here, and a government that's ready to come and be their partner."

The Arizona Coyotes plan to play the 2023-24 season at Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University despite a new arena plan hitting a roadblock.

The Coyotes' plan to build a new arena in Tempe as part of a $2.1 billion entertainment district was rejected by voters on Tuesday, throwing the future of the franchise into uncertainty. Around the NHL, speculation immediately started about the Coyotes relocating to markets such as Houston, Salt Lake City, Kansas City or Quebec City as early as next season.

But Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez confirmed to ESPN Wednesday that the team will play the 2023-24 season at ASU.

The Arizona Coyotes' plan to build a new arena in Tempe as part of a $2.1 billion entertainment district was rejected by voters on Tuesday, and the team said its future "will be evaluated by our owners and the National Hockey League" in the coming weeks.

"The NHL is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referenda regarding the Coyotes' arena project in Tempe," league commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward."