Arizona Coyotes: John Chayka Rumored To Be Next Coyotes GM
Despite early reports to the contrary, the Arizona Coyotes may be close to settling their general manager search with in-house candidate John Chayka. Reports emerged over the weekend from Elliotte Friedman and Bob McKenzie that Chayka may be the choice of Coyotes’ ownership.
Arizona Coyotes CEO and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc said last week that we may have news of the next general manager of the team within a week.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the influence of 26-year-old assistant general manager John Chayka is growing which may lead to his promotion to full-time general manager.
Shortly after Friedman penned a series of tweets on the subject, NHL insider Bob McKenzie tweeted his own backing of Friedman’s report. “Following up on (Elliotte Friedman’s) report on ARI GM, it’s my understanding John Chayka is most likely the man.”
This is a bit of a surprise for Arizona Coyotes fans because the initial reports after Don Maloney’s firing stated that Chayka would likely not be considered for the promotion.
What changed? Why did Chayka’s influence grow?
Is it as simple as continuity with head coach Dave Tippett? Can fans read these tea leaves and expect synergy between Chayka’s analytics background and Tippett’s own increasing input in player personnel decisions?
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Anthony LeBlanc cited a lack of communication as one of the reasons that the franchise divested itself of Don Maloney’s leadership. Perhaps Chayka’s familiarity with Tippett and ownership has fostered good will and communication over his tenure with the team, and he also has the analytics background they are searching for.
While the reaction to the reports has been mixed from the fanbase, there is little doubt that this franchise needs to embrace advanced statistics in a serious way. If that means the team needs to go with a 26-year-old first time general manager and pair him with Dave Tippett, then that’s exactly what they should do.
With the Arizona Coyotes currently unable to spend to the salary cap like it’s competitors, ownership and management must find ways to maximize the money they do spend. A full scale dive into analytics will give them the opportunity to better identify weaknesses and strengths in roster players and potential signings, which can help them exploit the market to some degree.
The first step in that, painful as it may have been, was trading Mikkel Boedker at the deadline to the Colorado Avalanche for prospects and Alex Tanguay. It was apparent to anyone who bothered to look into the numbers that the fan favorite was a complete drag on possession and not nearly the caliber of player he was asking to be paid as.
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Management made the right decision to recoup assets and not let him walk.
With John Chayka in charge, I feel we’ll see even more of those shrewd moves that Arizona Coyotes fans grew to love from the mind of Don Maloney.
With analytics behind them, hopefully we’ll see less of the stinkers as well.