Coyotes make quite the statement in announcing GM John Chayka’s departure

The relationship between GM John Chayka and new Coyotes ownership deteriorated in less the one year.

 (Photo: Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic)

Usually, statements issued to media when a sports franchise and an executive part ways are stripped of all emotion and most sincerity.

The dearly departed are thanked for their service and wished well in future endeavors, no matter the level of animosity that existed prior.

That did not happen on Sunday when the Coyotes announced that general manager John Chayka was now the ex.

“John Chayka has quit as the General Manager and President of Hockey Operations of the Arizona Coyotes,” the statement reads. “The Club is disappointed in his actions and his timing as the Coyotes prepare to enter the NHL’s hub city of Edmonton, where the team will begin post-season play for the first time since 2012. Chayka has chosen to quit on a strong and competitive team, a dedicated staff, and the Arizona Coyotes fans, the greatest fans in the NHL.”

“Quit” is a word rarely seen in such statements, much less twice in one paragraph. No name was attached to the statement, but comments like that aren’t made unless ownership signs off.

Chayka took a more traditional route with his statement, issued just a few minutes before his former employer’s, but he did say that he wanted to be with the team in Edmonton for the post-season.

“Sadly, the situation created by ownership made that an impossibility. That’s all I intend to say on this matter for now.”

The “for now” foreshadows a continued battle between Chayka and owner Alex Meruelo. Meruelo might be reluctant to allow Chayka to work elsewhere in the NHL, provided there is a non-compete clause in Chayka’s contract, which is usually the case.

And Chayka might argue that he terminated his contract only after the Coyotes violated parts of the agreement. Like allegedly excluding him from dinner and negotiations with a player.

As with most breakups, the people I feel most sorry for are the innocent bystanders. In this case, the players, coaches and fans.

The emotional investment required to be a Coyotes fan rarely has paid dividends in the team’s 24 years in the desert.

Obstructed view seats. Shaky ownership. No ownership. Arena issues. Lease problems. Driving to Glendale on weeknights. Under their team jerseys, Coyotes fans have as many scars and bruises as a 15-year veteran.

That’s why Meruelo’s purchase of the team a year ago held so much promise. He was worth a couple billion dollars, per reports, and promised he was willing to part with some of it in order to win.

He backed that up by signing Chayka to a long-term contract last November, and by allowing Chayka to trade for Phil Kessel last summer and then Taylor Hall last December. Those moves haven’t translated to success on the ice, but at least it looked like the Coyotes were trying.

Behind the scenes, however, the relationship between Chayka and Meruelo began to fracture.

Why exactly, we don’t know. Neither man has publicly aired grievances.

A lack of a dinner reservation contributed to Chayka’s decision to split the sheets, according to an NHL source.

Last week, three Coyotes executives not named Chayka met with Hall over dinner. Meruelo and new team President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez were there. So was Meruelo’s son, Alex Jr., who works in the front office as a “strategic advisor” for hockey and business operations.

Chayka found out about the meeting only afterward, according to an NHL source. That contributed to his decision to “terminate his contract” Friday morning, according to the source.

At least that’s one version of events.

Another one is that Chayka knew about the dinner, and in fact, set it up. That’s what another source told azcentralsports.com.

So, where do the two parties go from here?

It’s hard to envision the Coyotes allowing Chayka to leave and work elsewhere in professional hockey without receiving compensation in return. If he can do that, what good is a contract?

And it’s hard to envision Chayka accepting that if he believes the Coyotes circumvented powers guaranteed to him in his contract. If they can do that, what good is a contract?

The “he said, they said” discourse likely will continue with considerable billable hours by attorneys. As with most divorces, they might be the only clear winners.

Reach Kent Somers at Kent.Somers@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @kentsomers. 

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