The Arizona Coyotes placed forward Alex Galchenyuk on unconditional waivers for purposes of terminating his contract on Thursday, just 12 days after signing him to his new contract.
Per the team’s public relations department, the Coyotes will not be commenting further on the matter.
This is certainly an unforeseen development given Galchenyuk signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes on July 1.
“We are very pleased to welcome back Alex to our organization,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said at the time of the signing. “He is a hard-working, versatile forward who will add depth to our group.”
Per ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, the Coyotes “discovered an off-ice situation impacting Galchenyuk that was previously unknown to the team.”
NHL Network correspondent Craig Morgan reported the NHLPA is reviewing the matter.
Galchenyuk played 11 games for the Colorado Avalanche during the 2022-23 season, failing to record a point. He spent the majority of the year with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, posting 16 goals and 42 points in 42 games, adding three assists in seven postseason contests.
He was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Ryan Johansen on June 24, but the Predators had no interest in using Galchenyuk, as that trade effectively amounted to a salary dump. Galchenyuk was a pending free agent and the Predators didn’t make an offer to re-sign him, allowing the Coyotes to ink him for his third stint with the organization.
Galchenyuk is best known as the third-overall pick from the 2012 NHL Draft, where he was selected by the Montreal Canadiens. He played six seasons with the organization after breaking into the league as an 18-year-old.
The 29-year-old has appeared in 654 NHL games over his career, registering 146 goals and 208 assists. He has suited up for seven different franchises over his 11 years in the league.
