Coyotes' Hanzal set to return after missing 11 of last 12 games

The Arizona Coyotes will welcome back Martin Hanzal on Thursday against the Calgary Flames.

Hanzal's missed 11 of the last 12 games due to a lower-body injury, last suiting up on Dec. 19. "It's been a while," Hanzal said, according to azcentral sports' Sarah McLellan.

Hanzal's been practicing hard for a week, but head coach Dave Tippett will be cognizant of the forward's limitations Thursday.

"We'll have to monitor his minutes a little bit, but he's had almost seven or eight days here of real good, hard skating," Tippett said. "Hopefully, he can jump back in and not miss a beat. We miss that big centerman in there that controls the play."

Set to turn 29 on Feb. 20, Hanzal got off to a strong start this season, with 10 assists in nine October games, and five goals and four assists in 12 games in November. His 20 points rank sixth on Arizona, despite the fact he's played only 26 games.

Hanzal's surprised he's been out so long.

"I was out for almost three weeks," he said. "It was really surprising. It is what it is. I'm just glad I'm healthy right now."

Thursday's game is a big one. The second-place Coyotes have a two-point lead over the fourth-place Flames in the ultra-tight Pacific Division.

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