Arizona Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere expected to return from injury Sunday

Shayne Gostisbehere is likely to return to the Arizona Coyotes’ lineup for their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday evening, according to a report by PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan.

Gostisbehere, 29, has been out of the Coyotes’ lineup for nearly a month while recovering from an upper-body injury he sustained against the Anaheim Ducks back on Jan. 24.

Playing in his second season with the Coyotes, Gostisbehere has nine goals and 29 points while averaging a career-high 22:38 in 48 games. He’s under contract through the end of the 2022–23 season at a $4.5 million cap hit.

Craig Morgan

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The Coyotes will go back to red-hot Connor Ingram in goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Mullett Arena. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (upper body) will be a game-time decision but is likely to return to the lineup. He hasn’t played since Jan. 24.

6:43 PM · Feb 19, 2023

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The Coyotes originally acquired Gostisbehere from the Philadelphia Flyers back on Jul. 22, 2021, also receiving a second-round pick and a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft to take on the final two years of Gostisbehere’s contract.

Gostisbehere scored 14 goals and 51 points in 82 games with the Coyotes in the 2021–22 regular season. The 5’11”, 180-pound lefty will likely anchor one of Arizona’s power-play units in his return to the lineup on Sunday.

Through 511 career NHL games over parts of nine seasons with the Flyers and Coyotes, Gostisbehere has collected 83 goals and 299 points. The Pembroke Pines, FL product has also recorded two goals and five points in 17 playoff contests.

Gostisbehere is one of three Coyotes defencemen — Jakob Chychrun and J.J. Moser are the others — with more than 20 points this season. With one more point for Juuso Valimaki, the Coyotes could become the first NHL team with four defencemen at or over 20 points in 2022–23.

The Coyotes will play host to the Blue Jackets at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ at 6:30 p.m. MT on Sunday.