After being sidelined the past 10 days because of an upper-body injury, Coyotes center Kyle Turris is eager to get back into a game.

Kyle Turris

“It’s been very frustrating, but I’m just looking forward now and looking to start off where I left off before I got injured,” Turris said on Monday, before he and his teammates departed for a two-game trip to Nashville and Minnesota. “I’m excited to get back.”

Turris sustained the injury on Nov. 19 in Edmonton when he was hit across the face by an opponent’s stick. He has been practicing with teammates the past few days and appears ready to go.

"I love his attitude. He tries hard every time he's on the ice," Head Coach Dave Tippett said. "...He’s been putting the work in, now it’s up to me to give him an opportunity to do what he can do."

Turris, who has four goals and two assists in 15 games this season, says when he returns to the lineup he’s hoping to play on a line with winger Scottie Upshall.

“Playing with Scottie Upshall makes life a lot easier,” Turris said. “We have great chemistry, I think, and I love playing with him. He’s a great player, has lots of energy, and obviously he knows how to finish.”

►YONKMAN MAKING CASE TO STAY

Defenseman Nolan Yonkman, who has been playing in the NHL for the first time since a brief stint with Washington during the 2005-06 season, is holding his own on a team that is deep on the blue line.

Nolan Yonkman. Photo by Getty Images.

“The biggest thing is that I just keep playing my game,” said Yonkman, who has one assist and a plus-four rating in the five games he’s played since being called up from San Antonio on Nov. 15. “I’m playing here for a reason… I think just keeping it simple, moving the puck and being a big body out there is what I can do the best. If that’s what they need I’m more than willing to fill that role.”

Yonkman, who has logged one goal and eight assists for nine points and a plus-minus rating of plus-eight in 55 career NHL games, is hoping to stick in the NHL.

“Obviously I’m very fortunate and very appreciative of where I am right now, but I’m also playing to stay,” Yonkman said. “I don’t look back at ‘Am I going back to San Antonio?’ I look ahead to keep getting better and hopefully keep making an impact here and to stay.”


►GORMLEY INJURED

Defenseman Brandon Gormley, whom the Coyotes selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, suffered a lower-body injury on Friday while playing for the Moncton Wildcats in a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game.

Brandon Gormley. Photo by Getty Images.

The Coyotes are awaiting a status report on Gormley, who has notched nine goals and 14 assists for Moncton in 20 games this season, and plan to bring him to the Valley later this week to be examined by the team's medical staff.

"At this time, the injury appears to be a non-surgical injury yet it would be inaccurate for me to comment on his future treatment and recovery time until we have more information," Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said.

Gormley, who attended the Coyotes' training camp in September, signed an entry-level contract with the team on Oct. 8.

►LOMBARDI STILL OUT

Former Coyotes center Matthew Lombardi is not expected to play for Nashville in Tuesday’s game at the Bridgestone Arena.

Lombardi has played in only two games this season after sustaining a concussion, and the likelihood of his return in the near future isn’t very promising. As of today, there’s no timetable for his return, and he’s still not participating in on-ice or off-ice activities with his teammates.

Lombardi signed with Nashville in the off-season after a 97-game stay with the Coyotes.