Just weeks after being claimed by the Arizona Coyotes, the Coyotes are placing Adam Ruzicka on waivers for the purposes of terminating his contract. A video was posted to his Instagram story showing him appearing to use illegal drugs. Take a look here:
How did we get here?
Drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2017, the Slovak forward moved swiftly from the OHL to the AHL, becoming one of the Flames’ AHL team’s top players in 2020–21 and beyond. He then started to earn time in the NHL, becoming a staple on the team’s bottom line. While this season was a rocky one in Calgary, Ruzicka did appear in 39 games, putting up nine points in that time.
After a stretch in the press box, the Flames put him and Nick DeSimone on waivers on the same day to send down to the AHL; both were claimed. DeSimone went to the New Jersey Devils while the Coyotes claimed the Slovak centreman.
Since then, Ruzicka has appeared in just three games, putting up no points and adding six penalty minutes. He simply has not done very much.
This morning, a video appeared on his Instagram story, which would appear to violate the terms of the NHL’s standard player contract. As a result, the Coyotes placed him on waivers for the purposes of terminating his contract.
Can the Coyotes terminate Ruzicka’s contract?
It appears cut-and-dry. The Coyotes can point to this video as proof that Ruzicka violated his contract by using illegal drugs, and the fact that it was posted on his own Instagram story is reason enough to have him terminated.
There is always a chance that a grievance is filed on behalf of the player by the NHLPA to contest this grievance, like they did for Evander Kane; the possibility of that seems remote. The evidence is out in the open, and given it is not simply an allegation by a third party but was posted on his own Instagram, it’s very hard to refute.
What happens to Ruzicka now?
Barring a grievance being filed, Ruzicka will be on waivers for 24 hours before his contract is terminated. Assuming he clears waivers, he will then become an unrestricted free agent. He is able to sign with any NHL or non-NHL team as he will no longer have a valid contract.
There is always a chance that an NHL team will take a chance on him, and there are a few teams—like the Edmonton Oilers—who have a soft spot for reclamation projects. However, given his production, it seems more likely he will end up back in Europe, playing for a club over there.
