Coyotes’ Michael Stone will miss rest of season
Mar 28, 2016, 11:54 AM | Updated: 2:04 pm
Arizona Coyotes' Michael Stone, right, argues a penalty with referee Gord Dwyer (19) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 6-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Defenseman Michael Stone suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers and will miss the rest of the season, coach Dave Tippett said Monday. Stone was due to get an image on the knee on Monday at which point the team would know the exact nature of the injury, the extent of the injury and the likely timeline for surgery and recovery.
“I don’t want to comment on what it is until I find out what it is but is longer term than the season has left in it,” Tippett said.
It is unclear if Stone will be ready for the start of training camp in September.
Stone was injured in the third period of Saturday’s game at Gila River Arena when he appeared to get his left leg tangled with Flyers forward Michael Raffl in the corner. Stone had to be helped off the ice and to the training room.
In 75 games this season, Stone had six goals and a career-high 36 points.
“He’s played really well,” coach Dave Tippett said. “He’s had a real good season. It’s disappointing. He’s carrying a lot of minutes, playing a lot of different roles on our team.”
The Coyotes still have enough depth on their roster to fill Stone’s spot. Nicklas Grossmann will draw into the lineup tonight, but with Jarred Tinordi suspended for the rest of the season, the team recalled Alex Grant for insurance. Grant skated Monday morning but will not play against the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
In other injury news, Tippett said captain Shane Doan is day-to-day and undergoing concussion protocol. He will not play against Calgary.
Doan was injured when Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas delivered a forearm and hip to Doan’s head as Doan went to his knees and collided with the boards in the third period. The NHL will not pursue discipline against Gudas, who was not penalized on the play.
“There was some intent there to target that head,” Tippett said. “That’s the disappointing part. Those things all get worked out later.”
Tippett also said he expects center Martin Hanzal’s game misconduct from Saturday to be rescinded. Hanzal received the penalty after he received a boarding major for shoving Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux into the boards with one hand. Giroux admitted after the game that he was off balance and got tangled up. The NHL will not pursue discipline against Hanzal, either.
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