Towards the end of last season, the Arizona Coyotes had momentum as they finished the campaign strong. The off-season saw a trade for a player that is well-known and had championship experience in Phil Kessel. And then it happened! After years of the NHL "owning" the franchise, the Arizona Coyotes finally had a legit owner in billionaire Alex Meruelo. As the season began, the Coyotes were playing like playoff contenders. They were near the top of the Pacific Division for portions of the campaign. They traded for a superstar in Taylor Hall before the deadline. They decided to stay in Glendale.....for now. They made the playoffs.....sort of. In short, the Coyotes are looking to turn the corner.
What we learned in the last week was that the one reason the organization will go back into mediocrity is themselves.
In a stunning move that caught everyone off guard, Coyotes wunderkind GM John Chayka decided to terminate his own contract and leave the team. As everyone can guess what probably caused this sudden departure, why it's a good ol' power struggle between GM and owner Meruelo. Their parting statements tell the story. Chayka's reason for leaving is that he and management didn't see eye-to-eye. Yeah, no kidding. Ownership said that Chayka "quit" on this team while they are in a "playoff" opportunity. After reading many articles before doing this piece, it is said that Chayka wanted out earlier and had job opportunities lined up, which ownership obliged......allegedly. When they found out that these opportunities were not hockey related, they were angry and thought Chayka deceived them. Many hockey outlets have called Chayka a "liar" and a "quitter" because of this move.
The timing of this departure has many steamed as it was made mere hours before the team would depart for Edmonton. I'll give Chayka a little bit of credit. He left and made it known that he wanted out. It's not as if he did what Bobby Petrino did to the Atlanta Falcons in 2007, when he shook Arthur Blank's hand and informed him that he was the team's head coach. A couple of days later, Petrino was announced as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorback football program and left by leaving a written statement in his former players' lockers. Chayka didn't do that. But his timing has rubbed everyone the wrong way as he could have waited till the off-season to make that decision. I think he figured that both parties couldn't stand each other so his rapid decision was plausible. Many have called him "immature" for this, and I mean, he is only 31 years old.
So as the Coyotes make a run for a Stanley Cup, they have decisions to make entering the off-season in an attempt to keep the boat afloat for a franchise that needs some success. Ownership has also hinted that they want Commissioner Gary Bettman to oversee the situation.
Ah, no no no no no NO! He has done enough with this franchise, let him be.
(Also, if you don't know who Johnny Paycheck is, Google him or ask your grandparents.)
(Sources: Azcentral.com, Arizonasports.com, NY Times, Washington Post, NHL.com) (Photo by Azcentral.com)
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