The Arizona Coyotes would probably prefer to be talked about for their play on the ice, which is ironic for a team in the midst of a 12-game losing streak.
The problem for visitors to the Bell Center this Tuesday is that off the ice, the tiles pile up. Last summer, they had to manage the very delicate case of Alex Galchenyuk, accused in particular of having committed a hit-and-run on private property, of having disturbed the public order, of having resisted his arrest and uttering threats to a police officer. The Coyotes immediately terminated his agreement.
The arena file is well known. Expelled from their former home, they are forced to play in a university arena with 4,600 seats. What’s new: Players’ Association director Marty Walsh publicly lambasted the organization.
The most recent soap opera: Adam Ruzicka, attacker claimed on waivers last month. This weekend, the Coyotes terminated his agreement after he posted a video showing him in possession of what appeared to be cocaine.
However, the decision earned the Coyotes new criticism. Informant Frank Seravalli, from the DailyFaceoff site, recalled, on
In his weekly column Slap Shotsthe veteran of New York Post Larry Brooks asked himself: “Is there anyone in the hockey world who needs the aid program more than Adam Ruzicka?” »
(Note here that Ruzicka may still have been admitted to the assistance program since. The NHL and the NHLPA do not have to make an announcement for all the players who are admitted; they generally do so when the player must miss matches, if said player agrees to have his situation revealed.)
PHOTO KARL B DEBLAKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Coyotes terminated Adam Ruzicka’s contract after he posted a video showing him in possession of what appeared to be cocaine.
Part of the responsibility lies with the Coyotes, but part also lies with the NHL, whose rules for terminating contracts are visibly variable. Milan Lucic remained linked to the Bruins when he was accused in a story of assault against his partner. The charges have since been withdrawn. Four of the five players accused of sexual assault by London police also still have a contract.
Conversely, Corey Perry saw the Blackhawks tear up his contract for an incident whose details are still unknown, but he obtained Gary Bettman’s blessing to sign a new deal with the Oilers less than two months later. This file can still be the subject of a grievance from the NHLPA, since the 60-day deadline to do so has been extended.
Faintness
What is certain is that Ruzicka’s situation causes uneasiness among the Coyotes.
Even Barrett Hayton, identified on the NHLPA website as one of the team’s representatives in the players’ union, shut up like an oyster when The Press asked him about the file. “I don’t really have a comment on that,” he replied.
Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Coyotes, offered the same response on the same subject. ” No comment. »
According to what we were able to learn, Ruzicka arrived at the Coyotes with a certain “liability” and he would have been informed that he had no room for error. The situation is reminiscent of that of Zack Kassian with the Canadian. The strong man carried a heavy reputation when he arrived in Montreal, and before he could even play a single match with the Habs, he was involved in a road accident in the middle of the night.
Kassian then underwent rehab, but it quickly became clear that he was never going to play for CH. The team traded him to Edmonton for goalie Ben Scrivens two months after the event. Kassian, once treated, played 412 games in 7 seasons with the Oilers.
Hard for the image
Meanwhile, Armstrong and his head coach, André Tourigny, must work to keep Arizona a popular destination for players.
PHOTO CRAIG LASSIG, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Coyotes head coach André Tourigny
Tourigny recalled his experiences with the Avalanche and the Senators. “I have had the chance to coach in three organizations. Players want to play in Arizona. I know people say: well yes. But we receive calls from players who want to come. In other organizations, it was us who called! »
It’s an extraordinary city. This is one of the lowest tax rates in the league. There are lots of positives, lots of beautiful things. It is certain that there are distractions that we must resolve as an organization, we are aware of them, it is quite public. But we are the 5e city in the United States, the city is growing, it’s beautiful. We have everything we need to make it work once this is resolved.
André Tourigny
Note, however, that since Clayton Keller in 2019, only one player has agreed to sign a contract of more than three years with the Coyotes. It was Lawson Crouse, who signed a five-year contract in 2022.
“As CEO, your job is to present a vision,” Armstrong recalled. You need to focus on what you can control. I can’t control someone who wakes up one morning and decides to criticize the Coyotes on Twitter or in the newspaper. Anyway, people have been doing this for 30 years! »
In short
Memories of Ed Ronan
In a casual discussion with Bill Armstrong, the CEO recalled that his market was still waiting for a first Stanley Cup after almost 30 years. ” Here too ! “, he was reminded, pointing to the banner of the 1993 conquest. “Was this the year of Eddie Ronan? », he asks us. The discussion continued, until he was asked how on earth the name of the valiant Ed Ronan is the first that comes to mind when he thinks of the 1993 Canadian. “At home, I a photo where we see Eddie Ronan, Gary Leeman, Kirk Muller and Paul DiPietro around the Stanley Cup. The four have scars, bandages, a swollen eye. This is my favorite hockey photo because it illustrates what it takes to win. »
Cooley “plays hockey”
Logan Cooley had an interesting start to his career when the Canadian faced the Coyotes in Arizona in November. That evening, the one who was claimed at 3e rank in 2022, two picks after Juraj Slafkovsky, had amassed his 8e point in 10 games. A week later, Cooley had a three-point outing. The American, however, has had his ups and downs since then and has been limited to two points in nine games in February so far. Tourigny, however, assures that his 19-year-old protégé offers quality play. “Since January, he has been playing hockey. He had a very good start and then he had to adapt. Since January he has been playing very good hockey, he is flying on the ice, he is playing with confidence and he is making better decisions. »
The importance of the right attitude
Despite his team’s 12-game losing streak, André Tourigny has lost none of his verve. The head coach tried to image his approach as best as possible during his club’s lethargy. “If you show up at the arena without energy, you arrive and you’re arranged the same, it doesn’t help anyone. We all have people like that at work. You don’t want your desk next to this guy. It’s the same thing here: we don’t want guys without energy. » A photo should have been taken to illustrate the non-ergonomic posture that Tourigny took when speaking of a person “arranged in the same way”. Words unfortunately don’t do it justice.