The Coyotes learned Thursday that defenseman David Schlemko will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his injured foot.
Schlemko was injured in the second period of the Coyotes' win over the Islanders on Saturday and missed Tuesday's game against the Rangers before having surgery. The 24-year-old defenseman has taken on a significantly increased role this year on the blue line, displacing veteran Derek Morris, who has been a healthy scratch several times of late. Schlemko has a goal and 10 assists in 41 games.
In his absence, Morris -- who played Tuesday in New York -- will likely return to a more regular role. Rookie defenseman David Rundblad, acquired from the Senators last month as part of the Kyle Turris trade, has not played since Dec. 21 but is also available.
Defenseman Adrian Aucoin, who had been out with an injured eye, returned to the lineup Tuesday. WIth his availability, the Coyotes have seven healthy defensemen even after Schlemko's injury, although they still are allowed to recall a player from the minors on an emergency basis.
The team has not specified the extent of Schlemko's foot injury, referring to it only as a "lower-body injury."
