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Utah Mammoth News

Schmaltz (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Thursday in Vancouver.

Schmaltz recorded one assist in the Coyotes' last contest but exited the game with a lower-body injury after playing only 11:11 time-on-ice. The talented playmaker has five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, and his availability remains uncertain ahead of Thursday's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Nick Schmaltz
Schmaltz (lower body) is considered day-to-day and is questionable Thursday in Vancouver.

Schmaltz recorded one assist in the Coyotes' last contest but exited the game with a lower-body injury after playing only 11:11 time-on-ice. The talented playmaker has five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, and his availability remains uncertain ahead of Thursday's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Nick Schmaltz
Sergachev (lower-body) is expected to be out until after the All-Star break.

Sergachev has not played since December 19th and will miss at least six more games, with the earliest possible return date of February 7th. Sergachev has 19 points (2G / 17A) in 33 games and has been replaced by Darren Raddysh on the second powerplay unit.

Mikhail Sergachev
Vejmelka will start Thursday vs. Calgary.

Vejmelka will continue the goalie rotation for the Coyotes on Thursday as he will start for the sixth time in the last 12 games. After seemingly refining his game in December, posting a stellar .939 SV% in three straight wins, Vejmelka has struggled against two tough opponents in his last two games (0-2-0), allowing eight goals on 72 combined shots (.889 SV%). Vejmelka and the Coyotes are slight +111 home underdogs against a more evenly matched opponent on Thursday, the Calgary Flames, who have lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).

Karel Vejmelka
Cole is expected to draw back into the Canucks' lineup Thursday vs. Pittsburgh.

Cole was replaced by Noah Juulsen on Tuesday as he was a healthy scratch for maintenance reasons. Cole had appeared in every game this season for Vancouver at the age of 34 and has a goal, six assists, 32 SOG and 36 PIMs in 40 games played.

Ian Cole
Vanecek will start Thursday vs. Tampa Bay.

Vanecek will start for only the third time in the last six games for the Devils when they face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Vanecek was great in his last contest, albeit against a low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks team, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 4-2 victory. Vanecek has tallied consecutive quality starts only once this season and will be hard-pressed to do so on Thursday as the Devils are +136 road underdogs.

Vitek Vanecek
Cole (maintenance) will be out of the Canucks' lineup Tuesday vs. the Islanders.

Cole will take a rest Tuesday as he is a healthy scratch due to maintenance as Noah Juulsen takes his place in the Canucks' lineup. Cole has appeared in every game this season for Vancouver at the age of 34 and has a goal, six assists, 32 SOG and 36 PIMs in 40 games played.

Ian Cole
Rooney has cleared waivers Tuesday and has been assigned to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Rooney had an assist, 14 SOG, seven PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 17 games played with Calgary in 2022-23 but has been forced to miss all of the 2023-24 season thus far as he remains out of the lineup from off-season shoulder surgery.

Kevin Rooney
Calgary has waived Kevin Rooney (shoulder) on Monday after he was activated from the Injured Reserve.

Rooney had an assist, 14 SOG, seven PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 17 games played with Calgary in 2022-23 but has been forced to miss all of the 2023-24 season thus far as he remains out of the lineup from off-season shoulder surgery.

Kevin Rooney
Vanecek will start against Chicago on Friday.

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek was in the starter's crease at Friday's morning skate.

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will likely return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Vitek Vanecek
Sergachev (lower body) has been placed on the Long-Term Injured Reserve.

Sergachev has not played since December 19th and will miss at least four more games after being placed on long-term injured reserve, with an earliest possible return date of January 13th. Sergachev has 19 points (2G / 17A) in 33 games and has been replaced by Darren Raddysh on the second powerplay unit.

Mikhail Sergachev
Vejmelka will start Tuesday vs. the Panthers.

The Coyotes have returned to evenly rotating their goalies as Vejmelka will return to the crease on Tuesday and start for the fourth time in their last eight games. Vejmelka's increase in playing time has been a direct result of his elevated play, saving 93 of the last 99 shots he has faced (.939 SV%) over his last four games (4-0-0). The Coyotes are +145 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers team that has won four straight, outscoring their opposition 15-9.

Karel Vejmelka