Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad: Participating in contact drills
Rotowire
Head coach Andre Tourigny said Friday that Bjugstad (upper body) has resumed contact drills and is 7-10 days away from returning, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.
Bjugstad began the 2024-25 season on injured reserve and was initially expected to be sidelined until the end of November, but it appears as though he'll be in the mix to return to action in late October. While the 32-year-old will still miss a few more games, it's encouraging that he's progressing in his recovery and has developed a return timetable. Over 76 appearances for the Coyotes last year, Bjugstad tallied 22 goals and 45 points while averaging 17:27 of ice time.
... See More... See Less
Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad: Starts season on IR
Rotowire
Bjugstad (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per The Hockey News.
Bjugstad has already been ruled out for October, so this move is not a surprise. If Utah needs additional cap space, Bjugstad may eventually be transferred to long-term injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad: Out until November
Rotowire
Bjugstad (upper body) is not expected back until the start of November, per Craig Morgan of ALLCITY Network on Tuesday.
Bjugstad figures to be a lock to start the season on long-term injured reserve considering he will be out of action for more than the required 10 games and 24 days. The absence of Bjugstad from the lineup should open up more minutes for both Logan Cooley and Alex Kerfoot. Additionally, Aku Raty could be in line to crack the 23-man roster thanks to the extra spot that will become available when Bjugstad hits LTIR.
... See More... See Less
Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad: Set to miss Opening Night
Rotowire
Bjugstad (upper body) isn't expected to be ready for Utah HC's Opening Night against Chicago on Oct. 8, per Craig Morgan of ALLCITY Network on Wednesday.
It's not clear how much time Bjugstad will miss, but he was already listed as week-to-week as of last Thursday. He had 22 goals and 45 points in 76 contests with Arizona in 2023-24. Once he's available, Bjugstad is expected to serve in a middle-six capacity.
... See More... See Less
Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad: Out week-to-week
Rotowire
Bjugstad (upper body) will not be available for the start of training camp and is considered week-to-week, Craig Morgan of ALLCITY Network reports Thursday.
Bjugstad was deemed ready to go Wednesday, so this is a bit of a surprise. The 32-year-old had a good season with the Coyotes last year, scoring 22 times while adding 23 assists in 76 regular-season contests. Look for Bjugstad to garner a role as a middle-six forward once he is healthy.
... See More... See Less
Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad: Clear to start camp
Rotowire
Bjugstad (undisclosed) is listed to skate with the first group at Thursday's on-ice practice session, Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Bjugstad missed the last five games of 2023-24, but it doesn't appear that injury is lingering. The 32-year-old is likely to fill a bottom-six role in 2024-25, but he could move into the top six when injuries arise. He was productive with 45 points in 76 outings last season.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Won't play in finale
Rotowire
Bjugstad (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's season finale versus the Oilers.
Bjugstad ended up missing the last five games of the campaign. He closes 2023-24 with 45 points, 165 shots on net, 118 hits and a plus-11 rating through 76 appearances. He is under contract for 2024-25, so he should be in contention for a middle-six role next season.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Unavailable due to injury
Rotowire
Bjugstad (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday against Seattle after traveling back to Phoenix, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
Bjugstad is considered to be longer than day-to-day due to an undisclosed injury. If he doesn't rejoin the team for the remainder of the trip, he could be out until the Coyotes' regular-season finale against Edmonton on April 17. He has racked up 12 goals and 18 points over his past 22 outings. Jan Jenik, who was recalled from AHL Tucson on Tuesday, will replace Bjugstad in the lineup against the Kraken. Logan Cooley could get a chance to center the top line during Bjugstad's absence.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Nets goal in third-period rally
Rotowire
Bjugstad scored a goal on three shots and added two hits in Friday's 7-4 win over the Golden Knights.
Bjugstad's tally in the third period brought the Coyotes within a goal at 9:16 of the frame. The center has five goals and three assists over his last eight games, going without a point just once in that span. Life on the top line has treated him well lately, but the 31-year-old has put together a solid season with 22 goals, 45 points, 164 shots on net, 117 hits, 59 PIM and a plus-9 rating through 75 contests in a multitude of spots in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Extends point streak to six games
Rotowire
Bjugstad scored a goal, dished a power-play assist and went minus-3 in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Rangers.
Bjugstad has goals in four straight games, and he's posted seven points during a six-game streak. The 31-year-old is careening toward a career year -- he's four points shy of matching his high mark of 48 from 2017-18. The center has 21 goals, 23 assists, 159 shots on net, 113 hits, 57 PIM and a plus-10 rating over 73 appearances. Bjugstad is a solid addition in fantasy as long as he remains on the top line.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Reaches 20-goal mark
Rotowire
Bjugstad scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 8-4 win over the Predators.
Bjugstad's second-period tally was his 20th of the season, and it also stood as the game-winner. The center has surged to the milestone mark, picking up seven goals and four assists over 13 outings in March. On the year, he has 42 points, 158 shots on net, 113 hits and a plus-13 rating through 72 appearances. Bjugstad's a safe streaming option while playing on the Coyotes' top line.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Scores in big win
Rotowire
Bjugstad scored a goal on three shots in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Blue Jackets.
Bjugstad's goal stretched the Coyotes' lead to 4-2 in the third period. The center has two goals and two assists during his four-game point streak, and he's gotten on the scoresheet in seven of his last nine outings. For the season, the 31-year-old veteran has 19 goals, 41 points, 155 shots on net, 112 hits and a plus-11 rating through 71 contests.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Lights lamp Sunday
Rotowire
Bjugstad scored a goal on six shots and added two hits in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Stars.
Bjugstad has four goals and four assists over eight contests since he missed a game for personal reasons. He's seen time on the top line lately, but his goal came with helpers from Lawson Crouse and Logan Cooley, who have most recently featured on the second line. Bjugstad is up to 40 points, 152 shots on net, 112 hits and 55 PIM over 70 appearances in one of the best campaigns of his career.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Pockets helper in win
Rotowire
Bjugstad notched an assist, two shots on goal and two PIM in Friday's 2-1 overtime win over the Kraken.
Bjugstad set up Clayton Keller's goal with 1:08 left in regulation to force overtime. The 31-year-old Bjugstad has gotten a chance on the top line and has ran with it, earning three goals and four helpers over his last seven contests. For the season, he's up to 39 points, 146 shots on net, 110 hits, 55 PIM and a plus-10 rating through 69 appearances, mainly in a top-six role.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Gathers helper in loss
Rotowire
Bjugstad recorded an assist and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Stars.
Bjugstad was considered day-to-day earlier in the week, but he was able to avoid missing time with an undisclosed injury he sustained Saturday versus the Devils. The 31-year-old led all Coyotes forwards with 17:48 of ice time while centering the top line. He's had a strong season with 38 points over 68 appearances, including seven points through nine outings in March.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Will play Wednesday
Rotowire
Bjugstad (undisclosed) is good to play Wednesday against Dallas, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
Bjugstad was hurt during Saturday's 4-1 win over New Jersey, but he won't miss a full game due to the injury. He has 17 goals, 37 points and 51 PIM in 67 contests this season. Because Bjugstad is remaining in the lineup, Nathan Smith, who was recalled from AHL Tucson on Monday, will likely be a healthy scratch.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Deemed day-to-day
Rotowire
Bjugstad (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day and will be evaluated Tuesday to determine his availability for Wednesday's contest against Dallas, according to Patrick Brown of the Coyotes' official site.
Bjugstad was injured in Saturday's 4-1 win over New Jersey. He has generated 17 goals, 37 points and 108 hits in 67 appearances this season. Arizona recalled Nathan Smith from AHL Tucson on Monday to potentially replace Bjugstad in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Being evaluated
Rotowire
Bjugstad (undisclosed) is questionable to return Saturday against New Jersey.
Bjugstad logged 7:24 of ice time before exiting the contest. He entered Saturday's action with four goals and six points in five outings.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Two more points Thursday
Rotowire
Bjugstad picked up a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Red Wings.
Bjugstad extended Arizona's lead to 3-1 midway through the third period as he found himself alone in the slot before beating Alex Lyon with a wrister. Bjugstad added a second point with an assist on Clayton Keller's empty-netter later in the frame. The 31-year-old Bjugstad has been on an impressive run, posting four goals and six points in his last five games. He's up to 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) through 66 games this season, 11 shy of his career high set back in 2017-18 with the Panthers.
... See More... See Less
Coyotes' Nick Bjugstad: Pots lone goal in loss
Rotowire
Bjugstad scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and logged two PIM in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Wild.
Bjugstad has three goals, an assist and nine PIM over his last four contests. The 31-year-old center got a look on the top line at even strength Tuesday, though the Coyotes have rarely kept the same combinations for long. Bjugstad has been firmly in the top six for most of the year, posting 35 points, 141 shots on net, 108 hits, 51 PIM and a plus-6 rating over 65 appearances.
