Description: Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had two assists in Saturday's win over Colorado.
Insight: They were his first points since March 25. Ekman-Larsson got hot at the end of February and carried it over into March but he had just three points over 15 games prior to Saturday. The 21-year-old will be a breakout candidate next season.
Description: Phoenix goalie Mike Smith (upper body) will start Saturday's game against the Avalanche.
Insight: It will be his first action since March 21. After going 38-18-10 with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV% last season, Smith has regressed to a 2.83 GAA and .901 SV%, but he does have four shutouts.
Description: Coyotes forward Lauri Korpikoski is doubtful for Saturday's game against Colorado while dealing with an upper body injury.
Insight: Korpikoski takes enough shots (72), but only has six goals and five assists to show for it. Fantasy owners should be looking elsewhere for help.
Description: Coyotes forward Lauri Korpikoski will miss Tuesday's game against Los Angeles while dealing with an upper body injury.
Insight: Korpikoski takes enough shots (72), but only has six goals and five assists to show for it. Fantasy owners should be looking elsewhere for help.
Description: Coyotes forward Lauri Korpikoski is questionable for Saturday's game against San Jose while dealing with an upper body injury.
Insight: Korpikoski has missed the last two games, but was scoreles in the 11 games he played before the injury. Fantasy owners should be looking elsewhere for help.
Description: Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (upper body) will not return to action Saturday against San Jose. SOURCE: Sarah McLellan, AZCentral.com
Insight: Smith has missed the last two games and won't even join the team in San Jose for Saturday's contest. Backup Jason LaBarbera has allowed 11 goals in three starts since Smith suffered the injury.
Description: Phoenix right wing Radim Vrbata had a productive outing Thursday against Nashville.
Insight: Vrbata piled on two goals and an assist in a little over 17 minutes of ice time. Thursday marked Vrbata's second multi-goal game of the season and his first since the season opener in Dallas on January 19th.
Description: Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (upper body) is expected to miss at least the next two games, according to Dave Vest of PhoenixCoyotes.com.
Insight: Smith suffered the injury last Thursday against Vancouver. Jason LaBarbera (1-5, 2.34 GAA) will handle primary goaltending duties until Smith can return.
Description: Edmonton center Eric Belanger has been placed on the injured reserve with continuing groin issues.
Insight: Belanger had been targeting the Wednesday return. He's only totaled three points in 21 games this season, so the setback shouldn't effect fantasy owners.
Description: Coyotes goalie Mike Smith is out for Monday's game against the Red Wings.
Insight: He suffered an upper-body injury Thursday against Vancouver. Jason LaBarbera (1-4, 2.20 GAA) will get the start between the pipes for Phoenix.
Description: Coyotes netminder Mike Smith is dealing with an undisclosed upper body injury after a collision with Canucks defenseman Alex Edler forced him from Thursday's game.
Insight: Smith finished the second period following the hit, for which Edler received a two-game suspension, but didn't return for the third. Jason LaBarbera would get the start if Smith isn't ready to go.
Description: Coyotes netminder Mike Smith is dealing with an undisclosed injury after a collision with Canucks defenseman Alex Edler forced him from Thursday's game.
Insight: Smith finished the second period following the hit but didn't return for the third. He was undergoing testing Friday, presumably for a concussion, according to Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic. Phoenix will next play Monday at Detroit.
Description: Edmonton center Eric Belanger is doubtful for Wednesday's game with San Jose after being forced from Tuesday's practice with continuing groin issues.
Insight: Belanger had been targeting the Wednesday return. He's only totaled three points in 21 games this season, so the setback shouldn't effect fantasy owners.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata (lower body) will play Tuesday for the first time since Feb. 16, according to Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona.
Insight: Vrbata has missed the last 14 games with a cracked bone in his foot. The Coyotes desperately need his offense, as they have been shut out three games in a row.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata (lower body) could return for Tuesday's game against the Kings after skating earlier today. SOURCE: Craig Morgan, Fox Sports Arizona
Insight: Vrbata has missed the last 14 games with a cracked bone in his foot. He'll most likely make his return this week, even if it doesn't come Tuesday.
Description: Coyotes netminder Mike Smith came into Saturday's start having allowed 18 goals over his last four appearances but he held Dallas to one goal on 21 shots Saturday night.
Insight: Smith has three shutouts this season so we know he's capable of dominance in any given game but he has been extremely inconsistent and currently carries a 2.97 GAA.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata (lower body) is traveling with the team and could return as early as Wednesday depending on how he looks at the morning shootaround.
Insight: Vrbata has missed the last seven games, but when we last saw him he was a main cog in the Coyotes' offense with four goals and eight assists in 15 games.
Description: Coyotes center Lauri Korpikoski tallied two goals Saturday in a 5-4 shootout win over Anaheim.
Insight: Korpikoski actually missed his one attempt in the shootout (he flipped a wrist shot over the net) but he still did plenty to satisfy fantasy owners on Saturday. Korpikoski hadn't had a two-goal game in over a year before Saturday's outing (last multi-goal game was February 4, 2012 against the Sharks).
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata (lower body) and Martin Hanzal (upper body) will miss Thursday's game against the Wild. SOURCE: Dave Vest, Coyotes.nhl.com
Insight: Vrbata has missed four games and Hanzal has been out three so far but the team has still scored four goals in three of the last four games due to contributions from Mikkel Boedker and some third- and fourth-liners like Raffi Torres and Kyle Chipchura.
Description: Coyotes center Martin Hanzal will miss Tuesday's game against Vancouver.
Insight: Hanzal has posted seven goals and three assists in 12 games, but missed the last two contests. Phoenix will be without Radim Vrbata again too, making things easier for Canucks goalie Cory Schneider.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata (lower body) will miss Tuesday's game against the Canucks.
Insight: Vrbata has missed the previous three games as well. He led the team in scoring last year (62 points) and has started out well this season with four goals and eight assists in 15 games.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata practiced Monday and has been upgraded to questionable for Tuesday's game against Vancouver while dealing with a lower body injury.
Insight: Vrbata has missed three consecutive games due to the injury. He led the team in scoring last year (62 points) and has started out well this season with four goals and eight assists in 15 games. The Coyotes's offense will be challenged if both Vrbata and Martin Hanzal are out of the lineup.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Vancouver with a lower body injury.
Insight: Vrbata has missed three consecutive games due to the injury. He led the team in scoring last year (62 points) and has started out well this season with four goals and eight assists in 15 games. The Coyotes's offense will be challenged with both Vrbata and Martin Hanzal out of the lineup.
Description: Coyotes center Martin Hanzal is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Vancouver with an upper body injury.
Insight: Hanzal has posted seven goals and three assists in 12 games, but has missed the last two contests over the weekend. The Coyotes need his offense on the ice as do fantasy owners.
Description: Coyotes netminder Mike Smith suffered a tough-luck loss Saturday against the Oilers. Smith saved 41 of 43 shots in 65 minutes but lost 3-2 in a shootout.
Insight: Smith came in having won four of five starts with two shutouts in that span. The Phoenix goaltender is 6-2-2 with a 1.98 GAA, a .930 SV% and three shutouts in his last 11 starts after giving up 10 goals in his first two starts of the season.
Description: Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata is questionable for Saturday's game against Edmonton with a lower body injury.
Insight: Vrbata practiced on Thursday, but no decision has been made on his Saturday availability. He led the team in scoring last year (62 points) and has started out well this season with four goals and eight assists in 15 games.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris is questionable for Saturday's game against Edmonton with an upper body injury.
Insight: Morris brings a veteran presence to the Coyotes' blueline, but hasn't cracked the 20-point mark since 2009. He's got five points this season, all assists, in 14 games.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes winger Matt Lombardi has been activated from the injured reserve and is expected back on ice for Saturday's game against Edmonton.
Insight: Lombardi hasn't played in a month and hasn't been much of a factor for fantasy owners since 2009. Take a wait-and-see attitude before adding him to your roster.
Description: Coyotes netminder Mike Smith has three shutouts in 12 starts this season but a mediocre 2.55 GAA and .907 SV%.
Insight: Smith has allowed 16 goals in just 154 minutes in his three worst starts this season. He has gone 6-1-1 with a 1.43 GAA and a .946 SV% in his other nine starts but his poor efforts are dragging his numbers down.
Description: Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle handed out three assists Saturday in a win against the Blue Jackets.
Insight: Yandle finished the night with a team-high nine shots on goal, though none of them went in. He leads the Coyotes with a +2 rating for the season.
Description: Coyotes center Martin Hanzal racked up two goals and one assist Saturday in a win over Columbus.
Insight: Hanzal had been held scoreless in his previous three outings before Saturday's offensive explosion. Hanzal leads Phoenix with seven goals this season.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris is questionable for Saturday's game against Columbus with an upper body injury.
Insight: Morris brings a veteran presence to the Coyotes' blueline, but hasn't cracked the 20-point mark since 2009. He's got five points this season, all assists, in 14 games.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith shut out San Jose through overtime in a shootout victory Saturday evening. Smith saved all 33 shots he saw.
Insight: Smith has won three of his last four starts with two shutouts, allowing one goal in the three wins and six in the one loss.
Description: Phoenix forward Steve Sullivan is questionable for Monday's game against Minnesota with a lower body injury.
Insight: Sullivan is the oldest player on the Coyotes' roster, but was playing great with four goals in six games before the injury which has caused him to miss the last three games. He's a must start if in uniform.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres is eligible to return from his suspension on Feb. 2 against Dallas.
Insight: Torres has averaged 30 points over the past three seasons and also gives his fantasy owners around 100 shots on goal and decent penalty minutes. He could have some low-end fantasy value when he returns.
Description: Phoenix forward Steve Sullivan is questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas with a lower body injury.
Insight: At age 38, Sullivan is the oldest player on the Coyotes' roster, but he's playing great with four goals in six games. He's a must start if in uniform.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith (lower-body) is expected to be activated from injured reserve for Friday's game against Dallas.
Insight: Smith is off to a slow start this season with a 4.62 GAA and .836 save percentage, but played great last season (38 wins, 2.21 GAA, .930 save percentage, eight shutouts) and fantasy owners should not be discouraged.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith (lower-body) could return this weekend. SOURCE: Dave Vest, Coyotes Director of Content
Insight: Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said he would "be surprised if he's not ready by the weekend." Smith will miss his fourth straight game Wednesday. Jason LaBarbera and Chad Johnson have been handling goaltending duties in his absence.
Description: Coming off a shutout of Nashville, Phoenix goaltender Chad Johnson will start again Wednesday. Starter Mike Smith continues to nurse a lower-body injury.
Insight: Backup Jason LaBarbera had a 3.26 GAA in three starts this season. Johnson could improve his slim chances of keeping the backup job when Smith returns with a strong performance Wednesday against the Islanders. However, we wouldn't start him against the Islanders, who are fourth in the NHL with 3.65 goals per game.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres will be eligible to return from his suspension on Feb. 2 against Dallas.
Insight: Torres has averaged 30 points over the past three seasons and also gives his fantasy owners around 100 shots on goal and decent penalty minutes. He could have some low-end fantasy value when he returns.
Description: Phoenix goalie Chad Johnson shut out Nashville in his first start with the team Monday night. Johnson was starting in place of backup Jason LaBarbera, who had been playing while Mike Smith nurses a lower-body injury.
Insight: That's not that big of an accomplishment considering Nashville's personnel. The Preds have only scored 10 goals in six games while being shut out twice this season. Fantasy owners should be able to plug in goaltenders against the Predators for the rest of the season.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith, who suffered a lower body injury last Wednesday against the Blue Jackets, is questionable for Monday's game against Nashville.
Insight: Smith was a monster between the pipes last season, putting up 38 wins with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV%, but off to a slow start this year. Phoenix backup netminder Jason LaBarbera is 1-2 with a 3.25 GAA and a .897 save percentage.
Description: Coyotes backup netminder Jason LaBarbera will get another start Saturday versus the Kings.
Insight: Mike Smith is still dealing with a lower-body injury. LaBarbera gave up four goals on 34 shots against the Sharks on Thursday but the struggling Kings present a better matchup.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith, who suffered a lower body injury Wednesday against the Blue Jackets lasting only 11 minutes, is questionable for Saturday's game against Los Angeles.
Insight: Smith was a monster between the pipes last season, putting up 38 wins with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV%, but a slow start this year has just been made worse. Phoenix backup netminder Jason LaBarbera allowed four goals on Thursday in a 5-3 loss to San Jose.
Description: Phoenix center Martin Hanzal is questionable for Saturday's game against Los Angeles with a lower body injury. he has missed the last two contests with the injury.
Insight: Hanzal scored just eight goals and had 26 assists in the 2012 regular season, but did produce a +12 rating, 63 penalty minutes and 145 shots on goal.
Description: The Coyotes will start Jason LaBarbera in net on Thursday night.
Insight: This move was to be expected since Mike Smith suffered a lower-body injury early in Wednesday's game. Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said he doesn't think the injury is serious.
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith suffered a lower body injury Wednesday against the Blue Jackets and only lasted 11 minutes.
Insight: Smith was a monster between the pipes last season, putting up 38 wins with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV% but a slow start this year has just been made worse. Phoenix plays again Thursday against the Sharks; expect to see Jason LaBarbera in the net.
Description: Phoenix center Steve Sullivan recorded his eighth career hat trick Wednesday against the Blackhawks.
Insight: At age 38, Sullivan is the oldest player on the Coyotes' roster but he sure isn't playing like it. Wednesday's hat trick gives the pint-sized forward 286 goals for his career.
Description: Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson registered two goals and an assist Wednesday in a win over Chicago.
Insight: Ekman-Larsson was the only Phoenix skater other than goalie Jason LaBarbera to log more than 20 minutes of ice time on Wednesday. He's tied for the team lead in plus-minus this season (+3).
Description: Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith will start Wednesday against Columbus.
Insight: Smith was a monster between the pipes last season, putting up 38 wins with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV%. Things haven't gone so smoothly this season, as Smith has lost the first two games while allowing 10 goals on 57 shots. A home matchup with the feeble Blue Jackets could get him back on track.
Description: Coyotes winger Shane Doan is questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas with a "lower body" injury. He did manage to practice Thursday for the first time.
Insight: Doan finished third on the team with 50 points last season (22 G, 28 A) He has now tallied 50 points or more in each of his last nine seasons, all with Phoenix.
Description: Coyotes forward Boyd Gordon is questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas with an undisclosed "upper body" injury.
Insight: Gordon is likely stuck on a third or fourth line and is likely to struggle to post 20 or more points. Barring an injury to a top-six forward his fantasy value is low.
Description: The Phoenix Coyotes reacquired forward Matt Lombardi from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a draft pick. Lombardi only scored 18 points in 62 games last season but had a career-high 53 with Phoenix in 2009-10.
Insight: Lombardi missed nearly the entire 2010-11 season with Nashville due to a concussion and played last season with Toronto. Now he's coming back to the Coyotes, who have a lot of question marks at forward this season after losing top playmaker Ray Whitney to Dallas.
Description: Shane Doan will remain with the Phoenix Coyotes. The forward agreed to a four-year, $21.2 million deal on Friday.
Insight: Doan finished third on the team with 50 points last season. He has now tallied 50 points or more in each of his last nine seasons, all with Phoenix.
