There is speculation about NHL player Alex Galchenyuk heading for Russia after he was recently arrested by the police and then fired by his team. According to rumours, the former Arizona Coyotes player may soon grace the ice of the KHL, with none other than Spartak Moscow emerging as his preferred port of call.
Inked to a one-year contract on July 1 as a free agent, Galchenyuk joined the Arizona Coyotes, but the deal unravelled within days.
Just two weeks after signing Alex Galchenyuk, the Coyotes abruptly terminated his contract owing to his arrest for a number of offences, including hit-and-run on private property.
Rumours about his probable transfer to the Russian KHL have sparked conversations on social media platforms, especially on Reddit, where fans are contributing their thoughts. He was born in the US but is of Belarusian origin.
One Reddit user shared; “Doesn’t surprise me. He has Russian ties and it seems to be the place to go if you amazingly destroy your NHL chances” an article from sportskeeda.com mentioned.
What led to Alex Galchenyuk’s arrest?
Alex Galchenyuk’s arrest last month was a shocking development. The 29-year-old was arrested and charged with hit-and-run, disorderly conduct, and other offences. The arrest took an unsettling turn when he hurled threats and racist epithets at the arresting officer.
Galchenyuk later expressed regret to the Coyotes organisation, the Scottsdale Police Department, and the audience. It should be noted that he was receiving treatment under the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Programme.
As rumours regarding Galchenyuk’s impending departure circulate, his exit from rehab means he is free to go anywhere he wants, including Russia.
There are reports that he is about to become the highest-paid player at Spartak Moscow.
Galchenyuk’s NHL career began when the Montreal Canadiens selected him as the third overall pick in 2012.
The 29-year-old displayed his talent over the course of an 11-year career, playing for a number of clubs, including the Canadiens for a notable six seasons.
The 29-year-old striker had played for the Arizona Coyotes earlier too when he was traded by the Canadiens in 2018. The Coyotes, in turn, traded him to the Pittsburg Penguins in 2019. Before a brief 11-game appearance with the Colorado Avalanche this past season, he spent a year each with the Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs. His creativity resulted in 354 points over 654 games, leaving 146 goals and 208 assists in the sport’s history.