[News] UPD: Coyotes say Chayka has quit as Coyotes GM

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by getbak

The NHL club in question is almost-certainly the Sabres. Chayka's hometown is not too far from Buffalo and Botterill was fired almost exactly 6 weeks ago.

With the statement that the offer wasn't from another NHL team, it could mean it's a position higher-up in Pegula's organization, who also owns the Bills and other sports resources around Buffalo.

How bad must things be in Arizona that Chayka wanted to leave to go work for the Pegulas in Buffalo?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Both parties seem to have handled this in the worst manner possible.

That should be the Coyotes' motto.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

It shows it's dedication to the fans, the staff on the team who are dedicated and that's all we really care about.

The team will be run as a family and it's refreshing to see.

I get why you’re pissed but trashing someone publicly doesn’t really show any dedication to fans, family, staff at all IMO. It just shows a lack of composure.

[ComixZone]

This just makes Arizona look like a joke of an organization. Their release on the situation makes them look petty and unprofessional.

[sureLoss]

From Friedman Meruelo has asked Bettman to adjudicate the split with Chayka

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...-split-chayka/

Here’s what I can best piece together:

Approximately one month ago, Meruelo received a request from another NHL owner to speak to Chayka. Initially, the request was denied. (There’s been a lot of speculation about the Buffalo Sabres, but I’m also hearing rumblings about New Jersey, although the Devils have hired Tom Fitzgerald. Word is Chayka will take time away before making any further comment or commitment.) Understand that Meruelo — up until this saga unfolded — was an enormous Chayka fan. He believed in the GM’s vision, extending him through the 2023-24 season, making the Coyotes a cap team.

Eventually, Meruelo relented and allowed the conversation. This will be a critical part of the process. He will argue that he was lied to about what was to be discussed and that Chayka said he had no intention of leaving. What, if anything, is in writing?

From what I understand, a Godfather-esque “offer he couldn’t refuse” was made. Some sources indicated that it was not a lateral move, bigger than the current job Chayka was doing. It is believed that this involves an ownership group with teams in other leagues and Chayka could have involvement in those other teams.

The Coyotes were stunned and enormously disappointed. However — and this will be another key part of the dispute — they made it very clear the titles “general manager” and/or “president of hockey operations” could not be involved, to prove that Chayka was not making a lateral move. They are prepared to argue that is written into Chayka’s contract.

That was just one of the issues that doomed any type of settlement. There are also accusations that compensation was demanded. (The NHL does not allow it after a brief attempt a few seasons ago turned into a fiasco, but because this might involve some non-hockey work — it became a bit of a grey area.)

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

How bad must things be in Arizona that Chayka wanted to leave to go work for the Pegulas in Buffalo?

It wasn’t Buffalo.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

It wasn’t Buffalo.

Nice you’re in the know? That’s cool who was it?

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Nice you’re in the know? That’s cool who was it?

Orange Julius is opening franchises. He wants to expand beyond just Wendy’s

https://www.cfa.ca/franchisecanada/m...hising-wendys/

[bluejays]

Whomever on here speculated it was part of the greater ownership group I guess got it right. Sounds like it’s not just a black and white situation with one side being right or wrong.

It does sound like Chayka was a little coy about the opportunity and what it involved or there would probably be no situation like you’re seeing. I guess if you come from money and you have that leverage (as with John in this case), he doesn’t have to play nice. Combine that with being a millennial, this may be the way his generation works. Likely not the nicest individual. Probably doesn’t sit well with a billionaire with an ego either. A bad showing by both sides and surprisingly I’d side closer to ownership from the leaked info. Must’ve been a real piss off to write that release.

[Ashasx]

I can't believe the Coyotes would release a statement like that.

You're already a franchise with struggles, how many worthy candidates want to step up and take the reigns as GM when they know how the last guy was treated?

[N-E-B]

That statement looks like it was written by an 11 year old having a temper tantrum.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I can't believe the Coyotes would release a statement like that.

You're already a franchise with struggles, how many worthy candidates want to step up and take the reigns as GM when they know how the last guy was treated?

It had already looked bad on Chayka.

“He’s moving onto other things”
“We will move forward without him and looking forward to the future”

Don’t even wish him well if you want to leave that out. But this reads like an angry kid wrote it.

[Nsd1]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1287524905651765248

His source is probably this thread

[Jordan!]

Fans here. Yes, we have them have wanted an owner who cares for a long time. The press release is a breath of fresh air to most.

[Poe969]

Easy Jordan, you sound like your best friend got dumped. We get it, you have to take their side. Anything your friend says, you have to stand by and anything they say is complete BS and they're garbage.

We get it. Just pump the brakes a bit. None of us know the whole story so its a little early to be calling the guy names. They don't even have to take the high road and say good things, like Chayka did, just act professional. Judging by the team's comments, and some of yours, you guys sound like a jilted kid who got dumped and is going to dwell on it far too much for far too long. Just say something like "the team will only improve now" or something, you don't even have to wish him the best...just don't degrade him.

[Gaskal]

Could have just gone with a "we've mutually decided to part ways with John, thanks John for his contributions to the organization and best of luck".

Dunno how that "quitter" official statement made it past PR myself.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm actually okay with the Sabre's release. The owner really likes Chayka and probably feels betrayed and undermined by another team. I would be upset as well if I was him so why wish him the best when you don't? It seems to me like Chayka probably deserves any criticism he's getting here.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Could have just gone with a "we've mutually decided to part ways with John, thanks John for his contributions to the organization and best of luck".

Dunno how that "quitter" official statement made it past PR myself.

Why though, in November Chayka agreed to a 3 year extension then decided he wants to leave after the new owners made a commitment. Chayka is acting like a self centered little boy who didn't get his way. Maybe he shouldn't have accepted a 3 year extension in November if he was interested in other pursuits possibly in the summer.

Reminds me of the NFL players demanding trades because they don't like their contracts. Don't sign it if you prefer not to be somewhere.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

From Friedman Meruelo has asked Bettman to adjudicate the split with Chayka

####ing LOL. "I, as an owner, would like this dispute to be dealt with by the commissioner, who reports to me and my fellow owners." Yeah, I bet you would!

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I can't believe the Coyotes would release a statement like that.

Originally Posted by N-E-B

That statement looks like it was written by an 11 year old having a temper tantrum.

Could not agree more. You do not do that in public.

Originally Posted by Jordan

The team will be run as a family and it's refreshing to see.

Yeah, that always works out well.

Originally Posted by Jordan

That he is still bound to, you don't just quit on a contract. You're still bound to it's terms

Thank God this isn't the case... This is called "indentured servitude". No one is bound by the terms of an employment contract - they always have the option to quit.

So, good job, you've managed to get so angry about your hockey team that you've actually come down on the side of the slavers.

[cannon7]

This is speculation, but reading between the lines I think the extension Chayka signed was a similar situation to Treliving in that he wanted more autonomy. I think there was a lot of owner meddling during his first contract with the Coyotes. I think initially the owners were honoring this agreement to give him more autonomy. But the Hall negotiations is likely when the contention started. I think the owners were pressuring Chayka to re-sign Hall for more than Chayka was comfortable. When it became clear to Chayka that the meddling was going to continue, he started considering other opportunities. The request to negotiate with third parties was more the end than the beginning. If Chayka didn't have these clauses in his contract, hopefully this is a valuable lesson for him. If these clauses are in his contract he may have a case for a breach of contract.