The Coyotes and Utah Hockey Club are actually two different franchises, similar to how the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens are two separate franchises. The Browns suspended on-field operations following the 1995 season, and had their players and coaches transferred to an expansion team, the Ravens. Similarly, the Coyotes suspended on-ice operations after the 2023-24 season, and had their players and coaches transfered to an expansion franchise, the Utah Hockey Club. The Coyotes still exist, just in the same way the Browns existed as a franchise during their "off seasons" of 1996-1998, owned by the League, awaiting a new owner to bring them back to life. When, and if, they resume play, they will be the same franchise with the same history. Unlike the Browns, there's no guarantee that they will be back, though. If they do not come back, the franchise will simply be officially ended.
