Upshall scored a goal in his first game with the Phoenix Coyotes, and finished the 2008–09 season with eight goals and 13 points in 19 games with Phoenix. After the season, Upshall played for Canada at the 2009 World Hockey Championship, where he had an assist in eight games. In 49 games with the Coyotes in 2009–10, Upshall had 18 goals and 32 points. Due to injuries, Upshall wasn't able to play with the team in the playoffs. Upshall returned to Phoenix in 2010–11, where he had 16 goals and 27 points in 61 games. On February 28, 2011, the Coyotes traded Upshall and Sami Lepisto to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Rostislav Klesla and Dane Byers.