Galchenyuk will skate on the Coyotes top line with Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse tonight in Columbus. Galchenyuk was listed as a game-time decision on Monday, but head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that he will play after Tuesday’s morning skate.
Galchenyuk skated on the top-line in Coyotes’ practice on Monday and it looks as if he will make his Arizona debut tomorrow. The Coyotes top line could make some noise with the 24-year-old skating alongside Clayton Keller and former first-rounder Lawson Crouse. Galchenyuk had 19 goals and 32 assists (51 points) in 82 games with the Canadiens last season.
Galchenyuk skated both Monday and Tuesday and was cleared for contact after Tuesday’s morning skate. There is still no timetable for Galchenyuk’s return, but this is a big step forward and a sign that he should be back before the end of the month.
For the first time since suffering a lower-body injury in the preseason, Galchenyuk took to the ice in a non-contact jersey. The yougn centre was acquired from the Canadiens this offseason but his Coyotes debut was put on hold. This is the first step in Galchenyuk’s recovery and his return will be imminent once he shed that non-contact sweater.
Ladd will make his season debut after missing the first three games of the season with an upper-body injury. Ladd will start on a veteran third line with Valtteri Filppula and Leo Komarov.
Dauphin has not appeared in an NHL games this season, but has one goal and an assist in his only AHL contest. He will likely spend most of the season in the AHL, but will be one of the first forwards to be called-up.
Ladd has missed the first three games with the season, starting the season on IR. Ladd returned to practice on Thursday and is considered a game-time decision for Saturday’s meeting with the Predators. The 32-year-old had 12 goals and 17 assists (29 points) in 73 games with the Islanders last season.
The extent of Ladd's injury is unknown at this point but Isles' GM Lou Lamoriello said LTIR is not being considered at this point. Ladd has been skating as of late but remains without a timetable for his return. He had 12 goals and 17 assists in 73 games for the Islanders last season.
Galchenyuk was already expected to miss the first few weeks of the season, so moving him to the IR was simply a formality to open up a roster spot. With Galchenyuk out, Dylan Strome is expected to take on a larger role in the Coyotes offence early in the season.
Galchenyuk was hurt in last Tuesday’s preseason game and will miss the start of the regular season. The first-year Coyote could miss a couple of weeks and his injury could lead to Clayton Keller moving to centre for the time being.
Galchenyuk, who was acquired from the Canadiens this summer, suffered a lower-body injury during last Tuesday’s preseason game. With their No.2 centre out right now, Clayton Keller shifted to the middle while they wait for Galchenyuk to return. Both Christian Dvorak and Dylan Strome could take on larger roles too if Galchenyuk misses the start of the campaign.
Galchenyuk, 24, has disappointed since being picked No.3 overall in 2012. Galchenyuk had a breakout campaign in 2015-16, when he collected 30 goals and 26 assists, but is tied for 110th in points (95) in two years since. Galchenyuk has had a difficult time sticking at centre during his NHL career, but the Coyotes are expected to use him as a pivot, likely on the second line behind Derek Stepan.
Dauphin was hurt in Saturday’s loss in Colorado and is expected to miss Sunday’s game vs. the Canucks. The Coyotes have recalled Dylan Strome from Tucson (AHL) to take Dauphin’s spot against Vancouver.
