NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Gov. Ned Lamont acknowledged speaking with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as he continues to try to bring the league back to Connecticut.

But that’s not the only nugget he dropped.

The Arizona Coyotes face an uncertain future as the state rejected a new arena proposal for the team. Lamont said Connecticut has “an ownership team if they want to make a change there.”

These are his first public comments about an ownership team being in place if the Coyotes are sold. He said they’re “ready to do the XL Center,” presumably as some renovation.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin endorsed Hartford after a new arena proposal for the Coyotes was rejected in Arizona. The governor followed by saying he reached out to Bettman.

The Hartford Whalers left for North Carolina in 1997.

Lamont said nothing was imminent.