NHLPA Considering Filing Grievance Over Galchenyuk Contract Termination

The NHLPA is reportedly considering filing a Grievance is regards to the contract termination of former Coyotes Forward Alex Galchenyuk.

According to a report by ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh is mulling the decision to file a grievance on Galchenyuk's behalf.

Galchenyuk had been placed on Waivers for the purpose of a buyout, and released after multiple reports came out detailing a drunken hit-and-run incident involving the player.

Galchenyuk, who was arrested by police on July 9th, had his contract status revoked by the Arizona Coyotes, who had signed him to a one-year, two-way deal only 13 days prior at the start of free agency. Galchenyuk was set to make $775K at the NHL level, and $225K in the AHL, with a $325K guarantee, according to CapFriendly.


Graphic accusations came out in the reporting over the incident, in which Galchenyuk, who had been involved in a hit-in-run, was verbally confrontational with police, making threats to commit violence against officers and members of their families, as well as using racial remarks towards an African-American Officer.

Galchenyuk put out a statement earlier today apologizing to the officers involved for his actions during the arrest, in which he claims to have been under the influence of alcohol, confirming that he would be checking himself into the NHL's Player Assistance Program, calling his comments "horrific".


Similar instances have arose in which the NHLPA has gotten itself involved in grievance disputes. In January 2022, the NHLPA put forth a grievance claim against San Jose Sharks Forward Evander Kane, who had his contract terminated after a litany of personal controversies, including the usage of a fake COVID-19 Vaccination Card, for which Kane was suspended for 21 Games by the NHL. As well, Kane boarded a flight to Vancouver while with the Sharks AHL affiliate after testing positive for days, 8 days into an issued 10-day quarantine. Kane was ordered to return to the Barracuda on December 31st, but failed to materialize until January 6th.

The NHLPA and the Sharks later came to an agreement on Kane's grievance, agreeing to a financial settlement believed to be in the range of $2.5M, the money owned in balance from his time with San Jose, and deducted from his contract with Edmonton.

No official grievance has been filed on Galchenyuk's behalf that is known at this time, and no statement has come from his agent, Pat Brisson, regarding the matter, but the NHLPA appears to be monitoring the situation, and studying the most viable option in this matter.