Utah Hockey Club

Arizona Coyotes general manager and president of hockey operations John Chayka has stepped down only days before the NHL's restart. 

The club announced the news in a press release Sunday afternoon:

"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.  

"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 Club will have no further comment on the matter, as the Club remains focused on the opportunity to pursue a Stanley Cup."

In a statement to Craig Morgan of AZ Coyotes Insider, the now-former team executive responded by saying ownership had made continuing in his role an "impossibility."

Chayka, 31, was a surprise hire for the Coyotes in 2016, becoming the youngest GM in NHL history at 26 years old. He was named president of hockey operations in July 2017, and his exit comes just eight months after Chayka signed a long-term extension with the Coyotes.

Until Sunday, Arizona expected Chayka would travel with the team to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the Coyotes will battle the Nashville Predators in a best-of-five series for a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Morgan noted there are conflicting reports about the disagreement that led to Chayka's exit.

One source told Morgan the GM first approached the team for his release "six weeks ago" to "pursue another professional opportunity." Another source said Chayka left after learning Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo refused to grant another franchise permission to interview him.

In any case, it may be a while before Chayka is able to find work. According to Morgan, Chayka's contract is now in dispute, potentially barring him from joining another club as general manager or president of hockey operations for the full term of his extension. Lawyers for both sides are reportedly reviewing the situation.

Arizona saw notable improvement during Chayka's time with the organization, going from 70 points in his first season to 86 points in 2018-19. However, the club still hasn't made the playoffs since 2012.

The Coyotes entered the NHL's hiatus in March with 74 points.

Throughout his tenure, Chayka was able to acquire established names and rising stars, landing the likes of Phil Kessel, Antti Raanta, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Derek Stepan.

Former NHLer Steve Sullivan, who joined Arizona as a development coach in 2014, has been named interim general manager, though Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports the team could give him a "long look" at the full-time job.

The Phoenix Coyotes named Xavier Gutierrez their CEO and team president on Monday, making him the first Latino to hold those positions in NHL history, 

"This is a historic day for the Coyotes and the entire NHL," team owner Alex Meruelo said in a statement. "I have known Xavier for over a decade, and he is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of business and investment experience. We share the same approach to business and his intellect, leadership skills and strategic mindset made him the clear choice to be our new CEO."

Meruelo was excited about the hire, wearing a "I sure as s--t want to win" t-shirt during the announcement conference call:

"I am extremely grateful to Mr. Meruelo for this opportunity to lead the Coyotes, which he loves so dearly, and honored to become the first Latino team president and CEO in NHL history," Gutierrez said. "This is a very special and proud day for me, my wife Jericca, our son Xavi and our entire extended family."

Gutierrez, who went to high school in San Jose, said Monday that he was a Sharks fan in the past:

He also said he couldn't wait for the NHL season to resume:

Gutierrez's resume includes being the managing director at Clearlake Capital Group, the CEO of Meruelo Group and the president and CIO of Meruelo Investment Partners, the principal and managing director of the Phoenix Realty Group and was a financial analyst for the NFL's league office, among other positions. 

He takes over for Ahron Cohen, the previous president and CEO. 

Left winger Taylor Hall is on the move.

The New Jersey Devils announced they traded Hall and left winger Blake Speers to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday. Arizona sent back its 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 conditional third-round pick, defenseman Kevin Bahl, right winger Nick Merkley and center Nate Schnarr in the deal.

The 2020 first-round pick is top-three protected and would turn into a first-round pick in 2021 should the Coyotes select in the top three of the upcoming draft.

If Hall re-signs with the Coyotes or Arizona wins a Stanley Cup playoff series, the 2021 third-round pick becomes a second-round pick. If both things happen, the pick becomes a 2021 first-round pick.

While Hall is one of the best players in the league, it's not a surprise he was traded.

The 28-year-old is in the final season of his contract and was playing for a Devils team that is in last place in the Metropolitan Division with 25 points at 10-17-5. Pete Blackburn of CBS Sports noted there was "little progress being made in the way of an extension," so New Jersey took the opportunity to accelerate its rebuild with the move.

Arizona also seized an opportunity while being in first place in the Pacific Division with 42 points at 19-12-4. It hasn't made the playoffs since the 2011-12 season.

The Coyotes need more scoring to be seen as a legitimate Stanley Cup threat since they are a mere 24th in the league in goals per game at 2.63. While their strong defense and goaltending have carried the way so far, Hall provides them with an offensive force who can take over games for extended stretches.

The 2010 No. 1 overall draft pick is a two-time All-Star and won the 2017-18 Hart Memorial Trophy as the league MVP after scoring 93 points on 54 assists and 39 goals.

While Hall was limited to just 33 games last season because of injury, the left wing already has 25 points in 30 games in 2019-20 and gives the Coyotes the exact firepower they've been missing as they look to make a push toward a championship run.