Defensive injuries give Arizona Coyotes’ Robbie Russo an opportunity
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes have many injuries to key players on defence, giving Robbie Russo a great opportunity to play regularly in the NHL.
The 25-year-old fourth-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2011 has yet to truly crack the NHL, with his only appearances coming during the 2016/17 season with the Detroit Red Wings.
He has had a stable career playing in AHL, after graduating from the University of Notre Dame, racking up 217 regular season appearances since 2015.
As a defenceman, he has averaged a point every two games in the minors and currently sits on eight assists in 13 games with the Tucson Roadrunners this season – his first with the organisation.
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
While not having many opportunities in the big league, Russo did perform well during his 19-game stint with the Red Wings in 16/17.
He averaged 16:04 on the ice while posting solid possession stats – with a 51.7% Corsi rating in a fairly sheltered role, starting in the offensive zone 53.8% of the time.
Russo, who stands a 6-foot tall and 192lbs, threw his body around in that stint with Detroit.
He blocked 13 shots and had 24 hits during those 19 games – those he had 13 giveaways, something he will need to improve greatly if/when called upon by the Arizona Coyotes.
His brief spell in the NHL does indicate he has some potential in the big league, while he also has a Calder Cup championship under his belt – again coming in the 2016/17 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Coyotes find themselves without three of their top defenceman, with Alex Goligoski, Jakob Chychrun and Jason Demers all currently sidelined with injuries.
Chychrun and Goligoski are listed day-to-day by the organisation but Demers is out for the remainder of the season.
With the Arizona Coyotes having poor luck with injuries along the blueline, this could be the opportunity that Russo has been hoping for.
No player would ever wish for a teammate to suffer an injury, but they will certainly jump at the opportunity to impress if it ever came around.
For Russo, he needs to take his experience of the AHL and prove to the Coyotes that he is capable of filling in on the bottom pairing – with Russo most likely the team’s seventh defenceman.
Arizona is an ideal place for Russo to try and succeed, with the team playing some very strong defence recently and having the best penalty kill in the entire NHL.
Russo is in an environment where he can flourish and, hopefully, find himself topping 19 NHL appearances this season if injuries continue to occur.
Next. Arizona Coyotes lose Demers for the season. dark
What do you think Coyotes fans? Will Russo get an opportunity to impress with the NHL club? Or will he find himself back in Tucson before he has that chance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!