Arizona Coyotes to terminate the contract of Alex Galchenyuk just DAYS after signing him

Just thirteen days after signing forward Alex Galchenyuk, the Arizona Coyotes are waiving him for the purpose of terminating his contract.

The 29-year-old American of Belarusian descent had signed a one-year deal with the Coyotes, but the team made the decision to cut him after ‘becoming aware of an off-ice matter’, according to both ESPN and Sportsnet.

Scottsdale, Arizona police confirmed that on July 9, Galchenyuk was charged with private property hit-and-run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest, and threatening or intimidating. Police say that only property was damaged in the hit-and-run.

Galchenyuk was booked into the Scottsdale city jail on misdemeanor charges and released the next day on his own recognizance. 

The NHL Players Association said it is reviewing the matter.

Galchenyuk was set for his third tenure with the Coyotes after signing a one-year deal

Galchenyuk spent last season in Colorado, playing 11 games for the Avalanche, but spending most of his season with the AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles

When asked if the NHL was consulted prior to the decision to waive him, the league’s deputy commissioner, Bill Daly said the Coyotes ‘made us aware of the events immediately, and we made ourselves available to consult on their options’. 

The Coyotes signed Galchenyuk to a one-year, $775,000 contract July 1, the opening of free agency, for his third stint with the team.

The 29-year-old had 19 goals and 22 assists with the Coyotes in 2018-19 and returned in 2021-22, finishing with six goals and 15 assists in 60 games.

Montreal selected Galchenyuk with the third overall pick of the 2012 NHL draft and he played his first six seasons with the Canadiens, starting in 2012. 

He had 30 goals and 26 assists in 2015-16, but has been more of a journeyman the past few years, playing in Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Ottawa, Toronto and Colorado.

Galchenyuk played 11 games for the Avalanche last season, spending most of the season in the AHL.

With the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, Galchenyuk managed 42 points in 42 games, including 16 goals and a team high 26 assists. The Eagles were eliminated in the division semifinal round of the Calder Cup playoffs.