Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident

The Arizona Coyotes have officially terminated the contract of Alex Galchenyuk, after a reported police incident last week.

Alex Galchenyuk was placed on unconditional waivers by the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday, with speculation swirling as to the reason after he had signed with the team just 12 days earlier.

Reports, including by Katie Strang of The Athletic, soon emerged that the former third-overall pick in 2012 had been involved in a property damage hit-and-run incident, which extended to other offences including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, threatening and intimidating behaviours.

More details have since been reported on the incident, with some disturbing comments and threats having been made by the 29-year-old.

The Coyotes have since published an official statement, in which they confirmed the termination of his contract as well as the reasons behind it, stating that Galchenyuk’s behaviour in this incident was considered a ‘material breach of his contract‘ with the team.

Per PHNX’s Craig Morgan, it’s believed that the NHLPA is reviewing the situation and may become involved in some capacity, potentially in providing support for the player should more details of the situation emerge as such.

It is hoped that Galchenyuk will receive the help he needs to deal with whatever it is that caused him to behave in such a manner, with the NHL’s support programmes a likely result should anything of such a nature be discovered as the investigation progresses.

It is a disappointing situation for the Coyotes, who were hoping to have Galchenyuk return to them for a third time after he signed a one-year, $775,000 contract on the opening day of free agency, having had previously successful spells in 2018-19 and 2021-22.

For Galchenyuk, not only is his legal situation now unclear, but so is his playing career, which has been fluctuating over the past few seasons, with much of last season spent in the AHL rather than in the major league.

This is a developing situation, and one that will no doubt have plenty more reported on it in the coming weeks, with further information likely to come to light.