GLENDALE – Forward Mikkel Boedker, who has been sidelined since Jan. 18 after an emergency splenectomy, is accompanying the team on its two-game trip to Calgary and Vancouver this week.

Boedker

Boedker, 25, won’t play in either game, of course, but he will continue to skate on his own - as he has for the past week here in Arizona.

"I feel good. I feel strong. There hasn’t been any problem," Boedker said of his ongoing recovery on Monday. "It’s a good opportunity to come on the last trip. I’ve been here (in Arizona) for a while now. It’ll be nice to get a change of scenery and get on the road, and continue skating and continue getting better and more active."

Head Coach Dave Tippett said being around the team away from Arizona should help Boedker with the mental aspect of his recovery and his morale.

Boedker agreed.

"Being in the room and around the guys, it’s different when you’re not playing," Boedker said. "You’re sitting out and wishing that you’re a part of it. It’s been a rough ride (for the team) so you try to support them as best as you can, but most of all I wish I could be a part of it. It’s definitely tough to watch and just be a cheerleader, but as far as being a cheerleader I think I’ve tried as good as I can."

Despite missing 34 games, Boedker is tied for second on the team in goals with 14 and is fifth with 28 points.



• Forward Lauri Korpikoski also went on the road trip but Tippett said he likely would not play in either game. Korpikoski still is recovering from a stick to the face vs. Detroit on March 24.



• The Coyotes on Sunday sent defenseman Brandon Gormley back to the American Hockey League.



"We've got to get him playing," Tippett said. "He's had an up-and-down season. The reason we left a lot of our players down there is to drag that team into the playoffs. They're close, and our young players playing meaningful games down there is good for them. Gormley is right out of that mix."

Ekman-Larsson

• Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will enter Tuesday’s game at Calgary needing just one goal to take sole possession of first place on the franchise’s goals scored by a defenseman in one season list. Ekman-Larsson has scored 23 goals this season – the same total Phil Housley scored for the Winnipeg Jets in 1990-91 and 1991-92.

"Obviously it would be fun to break it, but it’s not that I walk around and think about it," Ekman-Larsson said. "If I’m going to score another goal I would be happy... I don’t really care about the record. I’m just going to try to keep playing good and keep helping the team to get a chance to win hockey games. That’s what it’s all about."

MOST GOALS IN A SEASON (Defensemen - Franchise History)

23 – Phil Housley (WPG) in 1990-91 & 1991-92

23 – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI) in 2014-15

22 – Dave Ellett (WPG) in 1988-89

20 – Fredrik Olausson (WPG) in 1991-92

19 – Dave Babych (WPG) in 1981-82