The Arizona Coyotes are already last in the league, but things are getting worse for the beleaguered squad. Center Nick Schmaltz, who’s missed the past three games with an upper-body injury, will be out a minimum of three to four weeks, per head coach Andre Tourigny.
Schmaltz last played on October 25 against the Florida Panthers, a game in which he registered his only point of the season. He’s struggled, along with most of the team, as the Coyotes now remain the league’s only team without a victory with a 0-8-1 record and a -26 goal differential just a month into the season.
It’ll mean an elevated role for a little while longer for youngster Barrett Hayton, who’s got one assist in three games after being recalled from AHL Tucson. It’s a big opportunity for the former fifth overall pick to try his luck as the team’s first-line center.
Tourigny was able to offer more updates on the health of some of his other injured players today, noting that defender Kyle Capobianco is now day-to-day and could be ready to make his season debut soon, adding some more NHL experience to the blueline. Forward Ryan Dzingel will be out for at least one more week.
The Coyotes are thin at every position as it is already. Not that they had a chance at making the playoffs this year but this really hurts for them. Maybe they can coax a couple of guys who aren’t playing to come play in the desert? Staal, Dubnyk, Ryan or even a return by Demers?
Has schmaltz ever played a full season since being with the yotes? Seems like he’s always hurt
He’s probably faking it
Could you blame him if he was…. I mean look at that roster haha
I have no idea how this team stays in the league. Seems like they’re content with being low budget & boring.
If they draft Shane Wright and sign a UFAed Matthews or trade for him, things could turn around in two or three years.
Problem is that as soon as Wright becomes expensive he’s gone.
There is no way they will ante up for Matthews.
They need to be relocated (or relegated to the AHL)
….and soon to be the Houston Aeros , maybe next year