Howlin' Hockey
Fansided

Arizona Coyotes Tuesday Tidbits

By William Grigsby

facebooktwitterreddit

Arizona Coyotes’ Boedker Making Last Road Trip, OEL On Brink Of Breaking Franchise Record

 Arizona Coyotes’ forward Mikkel Boedker, who has been sidelined since Jan. 18 after an emergency splenectomy, is joining the team on its two-game trip to Calgary and Vancouver this week.

Boedker, 25, will not see action in either game, of course, but continues to skate on his own – as he has for the past week here in Arizona. In missing 34 games, he is still second in goals, and fifth in points, with 28. His presence was definitely missed in those 34 games, when you factor in that the Arizona Coyotes record over that period was 8-26 without him in the lineup.

"“I feel good. I feel strong. There hasn’t been any problem,” Boedker said of his ongoing recovery on Monday. “It’s a good opportunity to come on the last trip. I’ve been here (in Arizona) for a while now. It’ll be nice to get a change of scenery and get on the road, and continue skating and continue getting better and more active.”"

More from Coyotes News

Coach Dave Tippett feels it can only help Boedker’s mental recovery and morale to join the team on the road trip.

Boedker concurred:

"“Being in the room and around the guys, it’s different when you’re not playing,” Boedker said. “You’re sitting out and wishing that you’re a part of it. It’s been a rough ride (for the team) so you try to support them as best as you can, but most of all I wish I could be a part of it. It’s definitely tough to watch and just be a cheerleader, but as far as being a cheerleader I think I’ve tried as good as I can.”"

OEL Goes For Team Record For Goals Scored By A Defenseman

He has three games left to break the record, but to OEL the record is not paramount to him.

"“Obviously it would be fun to break it, but it’s not that I walk around and think about it,” Ekman-Larsson said. “If I’m going to score another goal I would be happy… I don’t really care about the record. I’m just going to try to keep playing good and keep helping the team to get a chance to win hockey games. That’s what it’s all about.”"

I can’t think of a better person to break this record, than Oliver Elman-Larsson. He has really stepped up the past two seasons, and been the clutch player everyone hoped he would be. He is the future of this team, along with the young prospects possibly joining him next season.

Tuesday Tidbits/Dog Bisquits:

Forward Lauri Korpikoski also went on the road trip but Coach Dave Tippett said he likely would not play in either game. Korpikoski still is recovering from a stick to the face vs. Detroit on March 24, which required stiches in his tongue, not allowing him to talk too well.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Last Three Games This Season

More from Howlin' Hockey

Home/Coyotes News