Former Coyotes GM John Chayka Reportedly Suspended by NHL Through 2021

The NHL has suspended former Arizona Coyotes general manager and president of hockey operations John Chayka through 2021 for conduct detrimental to the league, according to Scott Burnside of The Athletic.

Chayka resigned from the Coyotes in July, just before the NHL's bubble playoffs began, despite having three years remaining on his contract.

"I love our players, coaches, staff and fans and I very much wish I could be with the team in Edmonton. Sadly, the situation created by ownership made that an impossibility," Chakya said in a statement at the time. "That's all I intend to say on this matter for now. A fuller, more detailed explanation may be necessary in the near future."

The Coyotes, who had signed him to an extension in November 2019, were not pleased, releasing a statement of their own:

"John Chayka has quit as the General Manager and President of Hockey Operations of the Arizona Coyotes. 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."

Burnside reported that "there was plenty of bad blood on both sides and it's believed Chayka was angling for another NHL job at the time of his quitting." With Monday's announcement from the NHL, it would appear the league has taken Arizona's side in the dispute.

As for Chayka's reputation going forward, Burnside noted that he's "considered a bright, forward-thinking executive who's a strong proponent of advanced statistics and the use of analytics in building a team," though he added that Chayka leaving right before the playoffs "will serve as a significant red flag to any NHL team looking to bring him aboard."

The 31-year-old was hired as the team's general manager in 2016 at the age of 26. The Coyotes went 131-147-38 under his watch, making the playoffs just once.

Previously he was the co-founder of an analytics firm, Stathletes Inc.