Mario Kempe News

Kempe has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. Kempe has just one assist in his last seven games.

The injuries continue to pile up for Arizona as Kempe is doubtful for Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered vs. Dallas on Saturday. Josh Archibald will move to centre if Kempe can’t play.

The Coyotes need a forward after trading Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini to Chicago for just Nick Schmaltz. The 30-year-old forward has appeared in just 22 career NHL games but has collected 11 points (5G / 6A) in 10 games with Tucson this season.

Kempe cleared waivers after playing just four games with the Coyotes this season and returns to the AHL where he had 18 goals and 19 assists (37 points) in 47 games last year.

Kempe failed to record a point in the first four games of the season and will be replaced by Josh Archibald on Tuesday.

Kempe picked up two goals and two assists in 18 games with the Coyotes this season but has been a healthy scratch in the last five games. Kempe has been sent back to Tucson so the Coyotes could recall Dylan Strome.

Kempe, 29, was a fifth round pick (No.122 overall) in 2007 but has played in just six career games in North America, spending the last three seasons in KHL and Sweden before that. Kempe had one goal and two assists (three points) in his Tucson Roadrunners debut, earning a call-up to the big club.

Kostitsyn turned the puck over in the Predators last game and instead of hustling back on defense he opted to make a line-change and allow the Oilers to go in on a 2-on-1 which ultimately led to a goal. Coach Trotz obviously was not impressed by this, making Kostitsyn a healthy scratch tonight. Taylor Beck will make his NHL debut tonight in the place of Kostitsyn.

With Kostitsyn back, coach Barry Trotz said forward Zach Boychuk will be out.

Kostitsyn gets back into the lineup for the first time since November 29th. The Bellarussian forward registered only three points in the month of November -- all assists and in the same game.

Certainly doesn't sound like Kostitsyn will play tonight or within the next week. Keep an eye on the sniping scorer's status.

Kostitsyn will miss his fifth game this season. Since returning from his first injury, the scoring winger only registered three assists in 11 games. Even worse, those three assists were all over one game.

Kostitsyn moves down to the third line for tomorrow's game. If you take away a three-assist game, Kostitysyn has no points over seven games.

Kostitsyn returns from a lower-body injury and should play a prominent role in tonight's lineup. Through 10 games the Bellarussian scored three goals and eight points. Start him if you got him...

Both players will be a game-time decision tonight so check back for a further update. Considering most rosters will be frozen by 7PM EST, it may be a better option to bench both skaters.

Both players are highly unlikely to play tomorrow considering they did not participate in line rushes. Stay tuned for a further update.

Kostitsyn scored three goals and eight points through his first nine before the injury. Since then he has only played one game in which he was rendered ineffective with no shots or points.

Kostitsyn draws back in on the second line after missing last game with an injury. See updated Preds lines - http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/29/nashville-predators