Coyotes’ Galchenyuk returns to practice, Dvorak has setback

The Arizona Coyotes have been without center Christian Dvorak to start the season as he recovers from a lower-body injury, but his return to game action may have to wait longer than originally expected.

Head coach Rick Tocchet said Monday the 22-year-old forward had a setback in his recovery and would be re-evaluated by doctors on Monday.

More information was expected to be available later in the week.

Dvorak has been on injured reserve since the season started. He skated with the team for the first time on Thursday, Oct. 11, and again the following day. The Coyotes played on Saturday, then had an off day on Sunday, and Dvorak was missing from practice on Monday morning before the team’s trip to Minnesota.

The Illinois native signed a six-year extension in August worth a $4.45 million average annual value.

Dvorak scores 15 goals in each of his first two NHL seasons, putting up 33 points in 2016-17 and 37 points in 2017-18. He also played 78 games in each of the two seasons.

GALCHENYUK RETURNS TO PRACTICE

Forward Alex Galchenyuk, who represents perhaps the most notable transaction of this past offseason for the Coyotes, has also been on injured reserve to start the season. But he skated in practice on Monday for the first time, wearing a non-contact jersey.

Galchenyuk is a former 30-goal scorer who was expected to slot in at center for Arizona this season, but a lower-body injury has delayed his regular season debut for the ‘Yotes.

“He adds a big amount of skill to our lineup,” Tocchet said. “A couple drills out there, you could see he’s very deceiving.”

The 24-year-old played at Gila River Arena in the Coyotes’ second preseason game this year, scoring two goals. He had 19 goals last season in Montreal before he was dealt this offseason in a one-for-one deal for Max Domi.

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