In a surprising turn of events, the Arizona Coyotes have decided to terminate forward Alex Galchenyuk's contract just 12 days after signing him. The news had initially left fans and analysts puzzled, prompting a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unusual move.
Alex Galchenyuk was arrested on July 9 on multiple charges, per The Atheltic's Katie Strang. The charges include private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest, threatening or intimidating.
Scottsdale Police Department has not made any public announcements regarding this incident. The charges on Galchenyuk are heavy and we can expect he will be penalized accordingly.
Greg Wyshynski, senior NHL writer at ESPN, had earlier shed some light on the situation in a tweet, stating that an NHL source revealed the Coyotes had discovered an "off-ice situation" impacting Galchenyuk, which was previously unknown to the team. This revelation adds an intriguing layer to the story, leaving everyone puzzled about what may have occurred behind the scenes.
Wyshynski said:
"An NHL source tells ESPN that the Coyotes had discovered an 'off-ice situation' impacting Galchenyuk that was previously unknown to the team."
The future is unknown for Alex Galchenyuk as once the police investigate is made public, the NHL may post their own set of punishments for Galchenyuk. The Coyotes' decision to terminate Galchenyuk's contract was questioned the "off-ice situation" that forced the team to make this decision.
Alex Galchenyuk joined the Coyotes in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens in June 2018. Hailed as a talented player with scoring ability, he was expected to bolster the Coyotes' offensive lineup. However, since then he was inducted back and forth from the team thrice. Galchenyuk struggled to find consistent success in Arizona, failing to meet the team's expectations.
The termination of Galchenyuk's contract only adds to the saga surrounding his career.
Alex Galchenyuk's NHL Career at a glance
Alex Galchenyuk's NHL career has been marked by ups and downs, with several team changes and inconsistent performances along the way. While he has shown flashes of his scoring ability and offensive skills, he has struggled to maintain success throughout his career.
Alex Galchenyuk's NHL journey has been a whirlwind. After a promising start with the Montreal Canadiens, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes, where he had a decent season. However, subsequent moves to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes failed to provide stability.
Galchenyuk's recent return to the Coyotes was short-lived, leaving his future uncertain. Throughout his career, injuries and inconsistent production have hampered his progress. As he navigates the next phase of his hockey career, Galchenyuk faces the challenge of finding the right fit to showcase his offensive skills and regain momentum in the league.