The 11-year veteran remaining in the first period of Wednesday's 3-2 win against Columbus when he was checked into the boards by Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot.

The 215-pounder, a first-round draft pick by Los Angeles in 1997, last missed a game during the 2002-03 season while with the Florida Panthers.

"This gives other guys opportunities to step up," Coach Wayne Gretzky said after Thursday's practice. "At the end of the day, it could be a good thing for this hockey club. We're definitely going to miss what he brings to the team, but this gives him a few weeks to rest and regroup, and when he comes back he'll be fresher."

Jokinen is the Coyotes' scoring leader with 18 points (seven goals and 11 assists) in 21 games.