The good understanding between John Chayka and the Arizona Coyotes appears to have collapsed over another job opportunity offered to the current team general manager.
According to several sources, during the forced leave by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coyotes were approached about Chayka’s availability and they granted her permission to explore this option. Relations became strained from that point on, however, Sportsnet reports Saturday.
“In my understanding of the situation, when it became clear that Chayka could go, the Coyotes resisted. Until that happened, owner Alex Meruelo was a big supporter of Chayka. The two sides then discussed the possibility of a transitional period where the general manager would stay until the end of the season, but talks collapsed, ”wrote columnist Elliotte Friedman.
The Coyotes have repeatedly declined to comment on the situation. Craig Morgan, who runs the azcoyotesinsider.com website, tweeted on Saturday that he asked a spokesperson for the club if Chayka was still general manager. Once again, the organization declined to address the subject.
