Coyotes Lose Top Line Forward For Significant Period

Brutal break for the Arizona Coyotes, as a report emerges that after suffering an injury in Thursday night's game, top-line center Barrett Hayton is likely to undergo surgery, and will be out for four-to-six weeks.

Hearing Coyotes C Barrett Hayton is going to miss 4-6 weeks; surgery likely for an injury sustained last night vs. Columbus.
Hearing the Coyotes will recall C Jan Jeník from Tucson to replace Hayton.
Sounds like Matias Maccelli is going to be OK; just needed major dental work.

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) November 17, 2023

Hayton had potted his second goal in his last five games in the second period, but left soon thereafter with an upper-body injury, that now appears to be fairly serious.

The 23-year-old only has four points in 16 games, playing about 18 minutes per game, but he just hasn't gotten the breaks, as his shooting percentage is an unusually low 5.9%. He's coming off a breakout year in which he netted 19 goals and 43 points in 82 games, with a shooting percentage about twice his current rate. He'll now have to wait till close to the New Year to get back in the lineup. 

Is it possible that Hayton's absence could mean the ascension of 2022 No. 3 overall pick Logan Cooley up the lineup, even to the top line? Cooley has shown his exciting potential with 10 assists and 12 points in 16 games. 

Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports