Coyotes cut F Adam Ruzicka after apparent cocaine video

A challenging season for the Arizona Coyotes just got even more difficult, as the team has placed forward Adam Ruzicka on unconditional waivers in order to terminate his contract after Ruzicka shared a social media post that showed him with what appeared to be cocaine.

Ruzicka, 24, posted a since-deleted video to Instagram that showed him posing with a vial of white powder and appearing to ready himself to use a credit card to consume the powder.

The team made the brief announcement via X on Friday, posting: "The Arizona Coyotes have placed forward Adam Ruzicka on unconditional waivers for purposes of terminating his contract. The Club will have no further comment at this time."

Ruzicka had only played three games with the Coyotes, recording no points, since being claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames on January 24.

The Slovakian native was drafted by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

In 39 games this season with the Flames, Ruzicka scored three goals and added six assists for nine points. He has 14 goals and 26 assists in 114 games with the Flames (2020-2024).

Ruzicka was set to be a free agent at the end of this season, having signed a two-year, $1.525 million deal with the Flames in September 2022.

The Coyotes are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak (0-10-1) and sit in seventh place in the Central Division with a 23-29-4 record for 50 points.