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.