The Arizona Coyotes defensive core took a hit on Monday, as it was announced Troy Stecher went down with a lower body injury and Matt Dumba left Monday’s clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins after recording one shot on goal in 7:12 of action.
Dumba’s injury adds to the weakening of the team’s defensive core following Stecher’s sidelining for the next 4-6 weeks.
Justin Kirkland was recalled on an emergency basis on Monday following the news of Stecher’s absence, and the team recalled Victor Söderström on Tuesday morning.
This will be Kirkland’s second stint with the Coyotes, after logging 18 games in the American Hockey League with the Tucson Roadrunners, recording two goals with 14 assists, totaling 16 points on the year.
Söderström has been a perennial call-up in his four seasons with the Coyotes organization. This will be his first appearance in a Coyotes sweater during the 2023-24 season, after appearing in 38 games for the AHL’s leaders in the Pacific Division, notching eight goals and 13 assists landing him 21 points on the year.
Dumba and Stecher add to the Coyotes laundry list of injuries that includes forwards Barrett Hayton, Nick Schmaltz, and Travis Boyd.
