Western conference team without top 6 forward for an extended period of time
Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz will be out for six-to-eight weeks with an upper-body injury.
Schmaltz left the team's opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, playing in just 2:26 of ice time.
Schmaltz finished second behind Clayton Keller for the team lead with 59 points last year, the best total of his career.
Schmaltz has evolved into one of Arizona's best players throughout his tenure. The 26 yeard old, is a key piece of Arizona's top line when healthy, but has dealt with upper-body injuries on four separate occasions.
For a team so limited by their roster, this is devastating news. For upper management looking to tank for future #1 overall pick Connor Bedard, this will certainly help.
| POLL |
Where will the Coyotes finish this year? |
| 32 | 16 | 29.1 % |
| 31st | 20 | 36.4 % |
| 30th | 19 | 34.5 % |
| List of polls |
|
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