Arizona Coyotes can’t get a break with Kyle Capobianco injury
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes have once again been struck by the dreaded injury curse, seeing talented young defenceman Kyle Capobianco ruled out for the season.
Kyle Capobianco joins eight other players that the Arizona Coyotes are without, with Christian Dvorak and Michael Grabner potentially returning to game action before the end of the season.
The 21-year-old blueliner had been in fine form for the Coyotes’ AHL affiliates, the Tucson Roadrunners, before getting his opportunity with the NHL club.
Capobianco was called up to the Coyotes after Jakob Chychrun was placed on injured reserve, continuing this season’s theme of disappointing injuries.
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The former Sudbury Wolves captain was hit into the boards by Nick Foligno during the Coyotes’ 4-2 home loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After the hit, Capobianco was helped off the ice and was noticed to not be able to put any pressure on his right leg.
The injury is a disappointing end to the season for the Mississauga, Ontario native, with the Coyotes’ third round (63rd overall) selection in the 2015 draft having led the AHL’s Roadrunners in total points before earning his call-up.
40 regular season games in the AHL, Capobianco managed seven goals and 32 total points – leading the team by one point, ahead of the recently traded Adam Helewka (13 goals, 18 assists).
The latest injury will have a lesser impact on Rick Tocchet‘s team than some that have come to pass previously, particularly with the likes of Antti Raanta, Jason Demers and Nick Schmaltz, but will still hurt the team.
It has almost become a recurring joke that the Arizona Coyotes have so many injuries, but the fans and the team will not be laughing at how much bad luck they are experiencing.
With the team looking like a surprise playoff contender until their recent four-game losing streak, the loss of another player could be seen as another nail in the coffin of the dreams the team began to have.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, general manager John Chayka will have some difficult decisions to make and the make-up of the roster could be quite different by the end of the season.
No matter what happens, Capobianco will not be seen on the ice again this season and will have to wait until the 2019/20 season to try and push his way back into the Arizona Coyotes line-up.
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What do you think of this disappointing news Coyotes fans? Let us know your thoughts on this and the team’s terrible luck this season in the comments below!