Coyotes GM Chayka relieved Ekman-Larsson dodged serious knee injury

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has avoided serious injury.

The club's most valuable player was forced to leave Saturday's preseason contest against the San Jose Sharks after appearing to suffer a knee injury, but upon being re-evaluated, general manager John Chayka revealed that Ekman-Larsson avoided structural damage and is considered day to day, according to NHL.com's Craig Morgan.

"It is good news," said Chayka. "It's a big relief."

Ekman-Larsson is once again poised to be the cornerstone of the Coyotes' defense corps, which - thanks to the acquisitions of Jason Demers and Niklas Hjalmarsson - should be a tougher unit to counter this season.