We learned earlier today that the NHL was preparing an official schedule with the Coyotes in Salt Lake City. Gary Bettman broke the silence on this matter, and it will pay off for the Canadiens.
Indeed, the owner of the Coyotes has no other option but to relocate the team, hence selling it. The cities in Arizona don't want an NHL team, that's quite clear.
"As Frank Seravalli reported this morning, the NHL officially confirms that it must be ready for all possibilities if the Coyotes have to move, which is why the league is working on two schedules. One with the Coyotes in Arizona and another elsewhere (Utah?)."
-Via Renaud Lavoie, TVA Sports
According to Bettman, the sale process is definitely a viable option and it would enrich the other 31 owners.
The current owner of the Coyotes would sell the franchise for $1 billion to the NHL, and then the NHL would sell it for $1.3 billion to the new owner. The remaining $300 million would go to the other 31 owners.
So, directly, the Canadiens would benefit from such a scenario.