Alex Galchenyuk's contract terminated by Coyotes shortly after signing

Arizona Coyotes waive Alex Galchenyuk following off-ice incident and charges.

In a surprising turn of events, the Arizona Coyotes have decided to waive forward Alex Galchenyuk just thirteen days after signing him to a one-year contract. This decision comes after the team became aware of an off-ice incident involving Galchenyuk. According to reports from ESPN and Sportsnet, the 29-year-old Russian has been charged with private property hit-and-run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest, and threatening or intimidating.

The Scottsdale, Arizona police have confirmed these charges and stated that only property was damaged in the hit-and-run incident. Galchenyuk was arrested and booked into the Scottsdale city jail on misdemeanor charges. He was released the following day on his own recognizance.

The NHL Players Association has announced that it is reviewing the matter, indicating that there may be further consequences for Galchenyuk beyond being waived by the Coyotes. This turn of events is particularly disappointing considering Galchenyuk's recent signing and his upcoming third tenure with the Coyotes.

Prior to joining the Coyotes, Galchenyuk spent last season playing for the Colorado Avalanche. Although he only played 11 games with the Avalanche, he spent most of the season with their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. During his time with the Eagles, Galchenyuk showcased his skills with 42 points in 42 games, including 16 goals and a team-high 26 assists. Unfortunately, the Eagles were eliminated in the division semifinal round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

This is not the first time Galchenyuk has found himself on a new team. He was originally selected by the Montreal Canadiens as the third overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft and spent his first six seasons with the team. In 2015-2016, he had a standout season with 30 goals and 26 assists. However, in recent years, he has become somewhat of a journeyman, playing for teams such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and now the Coyotes.

The Coyotes signed Galchenyuk to a one-year contract worth $775,000 on July 1, the opening day of free agency. In his previous stint with the team in the 2018-2019 season, he recorded 19 goals and 22 assists. Upon his return in the 2021-2022 season, he tallied six goals and 15 assists in 60 games.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Galchenyuk in the NHL. The league's deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, has stated that the NHL was made aware of the events surrounding Galchenyuk and offered their consultation to the Coyotes. As fans and analysts await further developments, it is clear that Galchenyuk's career has taken an unexpected turn, and his future in the league hangs in the balance.

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