Demers to Miss Rest of Season Because of Injury

BUFFALO --Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers will miss the final 10 games of the season because of an upper-body injury.
Demers, whom the Coyotes acquired via trade with Florida during training camp, ranks third among the team's defensemen in points (20), assists (14), shots (95), and ice time (21:08), and fourth in goals (six).
Demers played in all but three games this season, and impressed management with an improved performance after a mid-season meeting with Head Coach Rick Tocchet and Assistant Coach Scott Allen. At the meeting, Demers and the two coaches all agreed that he could play better and he responded.

"Jason came into a tough situation switching teams in training camp, but did a nice job," General Manager John Chayka said. "He was effective playing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, getting tough assignments all year. He has fit in well with our leadership group, and I think is looking to take that next step in his career."
Demers, 29, is among the older players on Arizona's roster. He's played 573 NHL games and his nine points short of 200 for his career.
"We'll miss him to close out the year, but it will be an opportunity for someone else to step up," Chayka said. "Jason will be recovered and ready for training camp next year."
With Demers sidelined, Luke Schenn likely will slide back into regular duty among the top-six defensemen. Schenn has been a healthy scratch for most of the past five weeks, yet still leads the team with 174 hits and ranks third with 83 blocked shots in 54 games. The Coyotes also added depth on defense by recalling Trevor Murphy from Tucson of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.