Even though they just played two games in as many nights coming out of the Christmas break, the Chicago Blackhawks were on the ice at Fifth Third Arena for practice on Monday morning. With 10 losses in 13 games so far this month, the team needs all the practice time it can get right now.
Ahead of Monday’s practice session, the Blackhawks received a promising sign from star forward Connor Bedard, who’s currently on injured reserve and has been out since getting hurt on Dec. 12. Bedard is reportedly dealing with a separated shoulder and is set to be re-evaluated after the New Year. However, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick was surprisingly spotted skating on his own at Fifth Third Arena before the rest of the team hit the ice. It’s the first time he’s been seen skating since getting injured 17 days ago.
While Bedard did not join his teammates and exited the ice before practice started, it’s still great to see that he’s comfortable enough to throw on the gear and begin prepping for his return.
As far as when that return may be, head coach Jeff Blashill did not provide a timeline update for Bedard after Monday’s practice. It’s worth pointing out that Bedard has been instructed not to shoot pucks just yet, so he’s still got a ways to go before returning to the Blackhawks for game action.
“Connor wants to be back tomorrow,” Blashill said with a quick grin. “I think it’s going to be a matter of us holding him back until the right time… but it’s a good sign. I’ll have a better timeline as we keep moving through this.”
Currently joining Bedard on injured reserve is the team’s second-best center iceman, Frank Nazar, who suffered a facial injury on Dec. 20 in the final game of the Canadian road trip against the Ottawa Senators. Nazar is expected to miss somewhere in the neighborhood of four weeks with the injury, leaving the team without its top two playmakers for an extended stretch.
According to Blashill, Nazar has progressed enough to begin chewing solid food again, which essentially confirms that he’s dealing with a broken jaw. Neither Blashill nor the Blackhawks have announced precisely what Nazar’s injury is, but the comment made it seem like that’s the prognosis.
“I think he moved towards chewing food, so that’s a positive. Other than that, it’s just the time. You’ve got to let it heal.”
Following Monday’s practice, the Blackhawks made another roster move, as forward Dominic Toninato was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Toninato, 31, registered one assist in five games during his brief NHL stint with Chicago. In 17 AHL games with Rockford, he’s recorded five goals and 12 assists for 17 points.
With captain Nick Foligno having returned to the lineup for Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Blackhawks no longer needed Toninato’s services down on the fourth line. On the flip side, with Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, and Landon Slaggert currently up in the big leagues, the IceHogs could use some help offensively, and Toninato’s return should help that cause.
The transaction was also likely made because Ilya Mikheyev returned to the team for Monday’s practice. Mikheyev missed both games over the weekend after his wife recently gave birth to their first child. With Mikheyev now back, Sam Lafferty slid down into the 13th forward spot, and there was no need to keep Toninato around as another extra.
The Blackhawks currently have 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders on their active roster. There’s still one open slot available, should the team want to make an addition in the coming weeks.
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