Coyotes promote Steve Sullivan to interim GM after John Chayka “quit” on team

Things have gotten messy in Arizona.

With the resumption of the NHL season fast approaching, the Arizona Coyotes announced that GM John Chayka has left the team, and got himself out of the remaining four years on his contract.

We don’t know the exact details to this point, but rumours have suggested the new ownership team didn’t get along with the young general manager. They went over Chayka’s head, and started contract negotiations with pending UFA Taylor Hall without him present at meetings. On top of that, Chayka was apparently given permission to seek another job opportunity, but the team refused to part ways with him when a rumored job offer came onto his desk.

Regardless, the relationship between Chakya and new ownership appears to have ended in a nasty divorce, as emphasized by a nasty statement put out by the team on Sunday.

“The club is disappointed in Chayka’s 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”

As a result, the Coyotes have decided to promote former NHLer Steve Sullivan to their interim general manager role. He had served under Chayka as an Assistant GM for several seasons leading up to this point. They aren’t committed to him long-term, but will give him every opportunity to prove himself to be a permanent part of their front office.

“The club is moving forward and has named Steve Sullivan as interim general manager. He has the full support of the entire organization including team ownership, executive leadership, players, and coaches.”

The Coyotes are set to face the Nashville Predators in the NHL’s qualifying round beginning on August 2nd at 2pm/ET.