Coyotes’ Chychrun and Goligoski to return, assign Mermis to Roadrunners
Nov 21, 2018, 10:08 AM | Updated: 12:38 pm
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Dakota Mermis (43) skates with the puck against Winnipeg Jets left wing Brandon Tanev (13) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Coyotes assigned defenseman Dakota Mermis to the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday after his six-day run with the NHL team.
Mermis’ initial recall to Arizona came with defensemen Jakob Chychrun (upper-body injury) and Alex Goligoski (lower-body injury) listed as day-to-day and questionable to play Wednesday as the Coyotes host the Vegas Golden Knights.
“We hope, expect both defensemen to be ready here in the near future,” general manager John Chayka told Doug & Wolf Wednesday on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “They’re very close.”
Later on Wednesday, the Coyotes announced both Chychrun and Goligoski would play against the Golden Knights.
Chychrun has appeared in just one of the Coyotes’ first 19 games on Nov. 13 due to different injuries, while Goligoski has played in 14 games, missing the last five.
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Mermis, 24, has appeared in one game for the Coyotes. Over nine games with the Roadrunners, he has recorded 1-4-5.
Arizona is also expected to get starting goalie Antti Raanta back for a Friday game against the Colorado Avalanche or a Sunday hosting of the Calgary Flames.
“Antti Raanta is also close,” Chayka said. “He’s not ready to go tonight but had a full practice yesterday. Looks good, feels good, on the right track. Definitely progressing, has a chance to play this week for sure.”
Raanta has appeared in nine games and tallied a 2.10 goals against average and .929 save percentage. He’s been out with a lower-body injury and last played on Nov. 2.
