Coyotes recall forward Michael Chaput

It looks like the Arizona Coyotes are going to be missing Brad Richardson for some time. It was announced yesterday that Richardson was being placed on injured reserve and the team was recalling Michael Chaput from the Tucson Roadrunners.

Richardson hasn’t played for the Coyotes since the October 24th game against the New York Islanders where he was limited to just 8:44. With the injuries last season, Richardson was tied for the lead in goals scored (19), including an impressive 4 goal night against the Vancouver Canucks. Richardson has slowed a bit this season, and in nine games he has only registered an assist.

This season Chaput is 5-1-6 in nine games with the Roadrunners. He is second on the Roadrunners in goals scored behind only Lane Pederson who leads the team with 9 goals. Chaput was originally drafted 89th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and while he has spent most of his career in the AHL he has played in 167 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens.

The Coyotes acquired Chaput from the Montreal Canadiens last season in exchange for Jordan Weal to bolster the Roadrunners’ offense during their playoff push. With Tucson, he was 6-10-16 in 16 games, although the Roadrunners would still miss the playoffs.