Coyotes center Brad Richardson heads to IR with hand injury

The Arizona Coyotes were dealt yet another blow to the health of their roster on Friday as the team announced that Brad Richardson is “week-to-week” with an upper-body injury. Richardson had a cast on his hand after the game on Thursday and will likely miss four to six weeks, reports 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station‘s John Gambadoro.

Richardson marks only the latest in a series of injuries that have hindered the Coyotes this season. Forwards Christian Dvorak (zero games played in 2018-19), Michael Grabner (out since Dec. 1) and Nick Schmaltz (out for season), defenseman Jason Demers (out indefinitely) and goaltender Antti Raanta (out indefinitely) are among those who are currently missing from Arizona’s lineup.

The news of Richardson’s injury comes just three days after it was revealed that Schmaltz, who registered 5-9-14 in 17 games played since being traded to the Coyotes from Chicago, would be out for the remainder of this season. Now, Richardson will sit for a time after leading the team with 11 goals in 40 games this season.

Richardson is carrying a 54.7 win percentage in the faceoff circle this season, which also leads the Coyotes. He regularly sees time on the penalty kill and has three shorthanded goals this year.

Most recently, due to the injury to Schmaltz and the decision to put Alex Galchenyuk at wing, Richardson has been playing second-line center. He’s averaging 15:40 of time on ice this season, a career-high.

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