Coyotes' Kuemper won't return before All-Star break

Darcy Kuemper will miss at least four more games.

The Arizona Coyotes goaltender won't play before the All-Star break, head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters, including The Athletic's Craig Morgan, on Sunday.

Kuemper is missing his 11th straight contest Sunday after suffering a lower-body injury Dec. 19 against the Minnesota Wid. Arizona classified him as week-to-week with the ailment one day later.

The 29-year-old was contending for the Vezina Trophy before the injury, leading the NHL among qualified netminders at the time with a .929 save percentage across 25 starts. Entering Sunday's action, only Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry had a better mark among those with at least 21 appearances.

The Coyotes are also without Antti Raanta again, as the backup missed another game Sunday. He suffered a lower-body injury of his own Friday in his return to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a different lower-body ailment.

After Arizona's home date with the Penguins, the Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday before traveling to face the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

The Coyotes then have the next 10 days off, including the All-Star festivities in St. Louis on Jan. 24 and 25.

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