Next Game vs Flames - Canceled
Tonight’s game against Calgary has been cancelled as a result of six @NHLFlames players and one staff member entering COVID protocol.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 13, 2021
We will now recognize Marc-Andre Fleury’s 500th win milestone before our game on Wednesday.
UPDATED: Tonight's game has been canceled. See the Blackhawks press release above.
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Roster Updates
Additionally, forward Reese Johnson has been placed on injured reserve.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 12, 2021
Team physician Dr. Michael Terry:
“Last night, Reese Johnson suffered a fractured right clavicle. He will undergo further evaluation tomorrow when a timeline for his return will be determined.… pic.twitter.com/rbxx2AJM9s
However, Dylan Strome has also struggled with holding a regular job in the starting lineup so his spot may be up for grabs. Henrik Borgstrom is presently sick (non-COVID related) so there's a temporary vacancy to fill until he's at full health unless that spot is reserved for Strome.
Here's a look at possible forward lines given the current roster:
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Hagel - Toews - Connolly Kubalik - Strome - Kurashev Carpenter - Entwistle - Slavin
Reserve: Gabriel Out sick: Borgstrom
Once Borgstrom is healthy, consider these lines:
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Hagel - Toews - Borgstrom Kubalik - Strome - Kurashev Carpenter - Entwistle - Slavin
Reserves: Connolly, Gabriel
When and where does Gabriel play? He shouldn't play every day so rough-and-tumble opponents could be a rule of thumb for when he does suit up. If playing, he's on the 4th line preferably in for Ryan Carpenter so that Josiah Slavin and Entwistle get as much experience as possible.
Who knows what the lineup will be, though, as there's been little rhyme or reason to how interim head coach Derek King has deployed lines. Yet, with players like Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalik scoring again plus Kirby Dach and Strome playing better, depth organically improves.
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IceHogs Updates
ROSTER NEWS: @goicehogs have assigned Chad Yetman and Riley McKay to the Indy Fuel
— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) December 12, 2021
Presented by @LouMalnatis âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/4mXfOIk3P7 pic.twitter.com/TBBnUdLfZv
Lukas Reichel and Dylan McLaughlin are still in COVID protocol and concussion protocol, respectively, and their timetables for playing eligibility are still unknown. Their absences plus Philipp Kurashev and Entwistle being with the Hawks means the Hogs have no top 6 centers.
Here's a possible way to roll the forward lines while Reichel and McLaughlin are on the mend:
Nylander - Barratt - Altybarmakian Teply - Gicewicz - Hardman Morrison - G Mitchell - Busdeker Pour - C - Osipov
There's a glaring hole at center and no forwards remain to take that spot with Yetman and McKay back in the ECHL and the other aforementioned players injured or in COVID protocol. Thus, simple math assumes 1-2 of these players are ready to go or the Hogs roll 11 forwards.
If the Hogs do go with 11F/7D, then the blueline could roll the following with Jakub Galvas in concussion protocol and Michael Krutil still out with a hand injury. It would be ideal, though, for Galvas to round out the D corps by relegating Ryan Stanton to a healthy scratch:
Kalynuk - I Mitchell Beaudin - Stanton Phillips - Regula Watson
Once Galvas or Krutil is healthy, reassign Cliff Watson to the Fuel. Jacob LeGuerrier is also a possibility as an AHL/ECHL tweener if more depth is necessary whether injuries prolong or more occur. Dmitry Osipov could also drop back to D like he did in Friday's game.
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See you on the boards!