The Arizona Coyotes took moves on Thursday to cut forward Alex Galchenyuk less than two weeks after welcoming him back to the team for a third time.
Galchenyuk, who signed with the team on the opening day of free agency on July 1, had been arrested on July 9 on charges of private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest, threatening or intimidating, according to the Scottsdale, Arizona, Police Department. A spokesperson said the hit and run involved property damage only and there were no injuries.
The Coyotes said they were placing Galchenyuk on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract and would have no further comment.
The NHL Players’ Association said it is “reviewing this matter.”
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Galchenyuk, 29, drafted No. 3 overall in 2012 by the Montreal Canadiens, signed a one-year, two-way contract that would pay him $775,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the American Hockey League.
He previously played for the Coyotes in the 2018-19 and the 2021-22 seasons.
Last season, he played 11 games with the Colorado Avalanche and 42 for their AHL affiliate. The Avalanche traded him to Nashville for Ryan Johansen, and the Predators allowed him to go to free agency.
Galchenyuk, who has 354 points in 654 career games, would become an unrestricted free agent after his contract is terminated.
