Arizona Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny announced that forward Andrew Ladd would play in today’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, reports PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan. The veteran has not played since February 20th, after being placed on IR on February 28th. Ladd’s first game back in the lineup will be in a familiar building, as he spent parts of four seasons with the Blackhawks.
It’s been another season of struggles for Ladd, as he has not played up to his previous career numbers and has dealt with his share of injury, a theme that seemed to define his career with the New York Islanders. However, after being traded to the Coyotes in the offseason, Ladd has had a bright spot, being able to play most nights when healthy and mentor the next generation of Coyotes talent. In 42 games this season, Ladd has six goals and three assists.
- Also from Tourigny, defenseman Janis Moser is not expected back for a few more weeks, reports Jose Romero of AZ Central Sports. The 21-year-old rookie has been out since suffering an injury on March 15th against the Montreal Canadiens. Moser has been a welcomed addition to the Arizona blueline this year, with three goals and nine assists in 33 games so far this season.
- An interesting suspension was handed out to one of Arizona’s AHL players earlier this week. Tucson Roadrunners forward Boko Imama was suspended for one game after receiving his 10th fighting major of the season. As Morgan explains, this is part of AHL Rule 23.7, which issues the automatic suspension after a player’s 10th fighting major of the season. Per Rule 23.7, a player is automatically suspended for the next game after his 10th through 13th fights of the season, then is automatically suspended two games after his 14th or more fights of the season. If the opposing player in a fight is issued an instigator penalty, then the fighting major will not count towards the player’s total for the season. For more on the AHL’s rules, follow the link.
How will future NHL enforcers be able to hone their skills if they can’t fight more than 10 times without a suspension? ;)
“Ladd has had a bright spot, being able to play most nights when healthy and mentor the next generation of Coyotes talent”
What talent!? The Jay Beagles of this world!!?
That fight rule is BS
Geez. What’s with the fighting suspensions. Either fights are part of the game or fighting is too dangerous to tolerate.
Even if there is a fight limit the penalty should be a fine against the team and the coach. The player is fighting because the team and coach expect him too.
Agreed. Honestly, hockey would be a better sport to cut out the garbage altogether and use the collegiate rule: fighting draws a game misconduct and automatic suspension, done deal.
fighting could finally be on the way out… seems like 80% of the players now are afraid to do it anyways (in either NHL/AHL)
rules like this take about 3-4 years to trickle up, so by 2025 we could have game misconducts added to first fighting majors..
yikes…
College hockey’s banned fighting for a lot longer than three or four years; it’s been at LEAST 25 years. I don’t think the European leagues have EVER allowed it.