It was an eventful start to the week for the Chicago Blackhawks, as head coach Jeff Blashill finally provided an update on how long star forward Connor Bedard will be out with his current injury. While it wasn’t the most ideal news, it also could have been worse for the Blackhawks and their top player.
Also in Blackhawks news, the team made two roster moves ahead of the upcoming three-game road trip in Canada, which starts later this evening in Toronto. However, only one of the two players will be joining the team for the trip.
Be on the lookout for CHN’s Game Preview after Chicago hits the ice for the morning skate at 10:30am CT.
Around the league, the Buffalo Sabres have made a change at the top of the organization, Lukas Reichel has failed to find his footing in Vancouver, and the Florida Panthers are starting to play like the two-time defending champs again.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: Ahead of Monday’s practice at Fifth Third Arena, the Blackhawks made a series of roster moves. First, Connor Bedard was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 12, when he got hurt against the St. Louis Blues. Then, the team also recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit from the AHL. However, Brossoit was immediately placed on waivers, and we’ll find out if he clears later today.
More CHN: The big news of the day occurred just after practice wrapped up, when head coach Jeff Blashill spoke to the media. Blashill said that Bedard will be re-evaluated after the New Year, meaning he’s out for the team’s final seven games in December. Life will undoubtedly be difficult for the Blackhawks without Bedard, but it could have been a worse prognosis.
More CHN: ICYMI, in their first game of the season without Bedard, the Blackhawks were shutout 4-0 by the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. While the packed house at the United Center didn’t get to cheer for any goals, they did at least get to see two former franchise icons in Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat find the back of the net in their return to Chicago.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Time has expired for GM Kevyn Adams in Buffalo. The Sabres fired Adams on Monday and named Jarmo Kekalainen, the former General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, as his replacement. In five and a half years with Adams in the position, the Sabres had a measly 178-196-42 record and no playoff appearances.
Sportsnet: Less than two months after being traded by the Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks already are trying to move on from Lukas Reichel. The former first-round pick was placed on the trade block by the Canucks recently, but after finding no suitors, Reichel was put on waivers over the weekend. He cleared on Monday morning and will report to AHL Abbotsford until a deal comes together. Reichel has just one assist in 14 games since being dealt to Vancouver.
NHL.com: Brady Tkachuk scored his second goal since returning from injury to lift the Ottawa Senators to a comeback 3-2 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Tim Stutzle also added three assists for the Sens.
Forever Blueshirts: More than video tributes and a warm reception from the fans, all Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba wanted Monday night in their return to Madison Square Garden was a victory against their former team. And they got just that, when the Anaheim Ducks skated past the New York Rangers 4-1.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: For the first time in 15 years, defenseman Kris Letang has played less than 20 minutes in consecutive games. His struggles have been obvious, and the Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff is noticing his decline. Can Letang reverse the struggles, or is this part of a permanent decline for the 38 year old?
New Jersey Hockey Now: Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts mentioned that the New Jersey Devils have a couple of trades vetoed due to contracts with clauses. The two players believed to be involved are Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat. New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald is trying to move one or both players.
Florida Hockey Now: How quickly things can change. Don’t look now, but the Florida Panthers are rolling again. The Panthers have won five of the last six games after taking down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 on Monday night. The two-time defending champions are suddenly just two points out of the playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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