While reiterating that the NHL still wants to find a solution once and for all to keep the Coyotes in Arizona, what was clear from Gary Bettman’s state of the union news conference Saturday is that the clock is ticking.

And there’s a realistic option in Salt Lake City potentially waiting.

But first, one last-ditch effort to save the Coyotes in Arizona.

“The Arizona Coyotes are going to explore what their other options are in the greater Phoenix area, and we’re going to monitor that closely,” Bettman said. “Our hope is that one of the options that are being explored and considered will come to fruition.”

Bettman was asked why he’s been so dogged in his attempt to find a solution in Arizona after all these years of arena instability there.

“It’s a terrific market,” Bettman said. “There are a lot of sports fans there. It’s a growing market. It’s one of the larger markets in North America. And I think the club and by implication the fans have been in situations that have been unfortunate, and maybe they’ve been (a) little bit a victim of circumstance. And so if we can make something work … we’re at the stage now where the league, ownership, our teams are strong. We’re in a better position to resist moving than we were 20 or 30 years ago. We want to make sure we explore all options at this stage of where we are before we consider having to relocate a club, and I’m hopeful we won’t have to.”

But there’s a time limit. The league doesn’t want to see games played in a 5,000-seat arena for multiple seasons, although deputy commissioner Bill Daly reiterated the Coyotes will play there next season at least.