Chris Chelios a Phoenix Coyote?

With the injuries to defensemen Ed Jovanovski and Zbynek Michalek, the Phoenix Coyotes are desperately in need of a defenseman with NHL experience and you can not find a more experienced defenseman than Chris Chelios.

Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney has publicly shown interest in the veteran defenseman. He will head to San Antonio to see Chelios play this Friday. San Antonio is also the Coyotes AHL affiliate, so Maloney will get a good look at the players down there too.

Chelios is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. He has recorded seven points in just seven games. But the Coyotes don't want Chelios for his offensive skills they want him for his great defensive play.

At the ripe old age of 47, Chelios may be long past his prime years but he can still be a serviceable sixth defenseman for the Coyotes. Along with his solid defensive play, he would bring a lot of veteran leadership to a young Coyotes team.

To replace both Jovanovski and Michalek the Coyotes have inserted both David Schlemko and Shaun Heshka into the lineup . They only have a combined eight games of NHL experience between them. Chris Chelios on the other has over 1500 games of NHL experience, which is more of what the Phoenix Coyotes are looking for.

The only problem that I could see why Chelios would not sign with Phoenix is the location. He has made it known publicly that he wants to stay close to his family if possible, but this could be his last shot at playing in the NHL.

Only time will tell if the Coyotes sign Chris Chelios, but that time should be now, as the Coyotes are desperately in need a defenseman.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?