Sick Parade (chicago)

It's becoming more of a common refrain to state the date of the next game -- which for the Blackhawks is on New Year's Day against the Predators -- then to almost automatically insert the caveat "if it happens" as a cancelation is also becoming more expected or at least predictable.

* D.J. Busdeker (W) * Carson Gicewicz (C/W) * Mike Hardman (W) * Garrett Mitchell (C/W) * Dmitri Osipov (W/D) * Nicolas Beaudin (D) * Ian Mitchell (D) * Anders Sorensen (interim head coach) * Jared Nightingale (assistant coach)

This substantial amount of Hogs players and coaches in COVID protocol has implications for how the Blackhawks can configure their taxi squad and lean on for the new roster emergency exception (REE) feature. Until further notice, the Hawks can't call upon Hardman at wing or Beaudin and Mitchell on D.

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Competition Parity

One could argue, though, that a team with a depleted roster due to injuries and non-COVID illnesses isn't new territory and their games haven't been canceled in the past -- at least not en masse like they have this season. So is there a justified parity issue with COVID-related cancelations?

A pivotal factor is that this strain of cancelations unfortunately has a contagious virus attached to it so there's a public health risk involved. A team with a roster ravaged by injuries and non-COVID illnesses doesn't have such a risk. Thus, this could be a situation of comparing apples to oranges.

No doubt that there's an imbalance as one team could potentially have more NHL-caliber players than the other. But, what if the team that's now in the perceived place of strength was the weaker team had both teams been on a level playing field as far as COVID-related health? Is parity still questionable?

Either way, canceling games due to COVID concerns is wise from the standpoint of public health not just for the players and coaches but also for every single person who comes in contact with them including team personnel, arena staff, media, fans, and especially their families.

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IceHogs Updates

Here's a possible Hogs lineup rolling 11F + 7D based on who's presently available:

Nylander - Reichel - Slavin Teply - McLaughlin - Altybarmakian Pour - Barratt - Morrison Yetman - McKay

Kalynuk - Regula Stanton - Galvas Phillips - LeGuerrier Watson

Soderblom Morris Aubrun

COVID protocol: Busdeker, Gicewicz, Hardman, G Mitchell, Osipov, Beaudin, I Mitchell

Injured: Howarth (day to day), R Johnson (LTIR)

WJC: Krutil

The peculiar transaction is calling up Aubrun which brings the goalie count up to three. Does this mean either Arvid Soderblom or Morris had a positive COVID test yesterday? The Hawks and Hogs would be in a pickle if that's true and one more goalie goes down with COVID, other illness, or injury.

Consider this goalie depth chart:

* Marc-Andre Fleury (COVID protocol) * Kevin Lankinen * Collin Delia * Arvid Soderblom * Cale Morris * Tom Aubrun

That's 5 goalies available across the NHL and AHL teams. If Soderblom or Morris goes into COVID protocol, that's a starter and backup per team which is standard. However, if one more tender is out of commission, what then? Whoever the emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) is may get a call.

Also hope that the Hawks and Hogs don't play on the same day and be ready with paperwork to sign Morris or Aubrun to a PTO with the Hawks if they are needed to climb the ranks quickly from ECHL to AHL to NHL and sit on the bench as the backup -- or in the worst case scenario -- as the starter.

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Prospect Updates

The ship should sail yesterday for 28-year old Maxim Shalunov who was drafted a decade ago. That's ancient. If he were a fruit, Shalunov would be overripe and probably not worth eating. Not that it boils down to this exact dichotomy but invest in Safonov if one or the other had to be chosen.

As for the other Russian prospects still in their motherland, Artur Kayumov is one who has had a few opportunities to sign with Chicago to start developing in North America but he opted to stay home. Like Safonov, his NHL potential is low so no loss in letting his draft rights elapse.

Ivan Nalimov had his chance last season playing a few games for the IceHogs before returning to Russia again signing on with his original KHL team and 7th one since 2014. He's no better than Morris who's on an AHL contract but has the negative baggage and temperament that should be avoided.

That leaves Andrei Altybarmakian who's ELC expires this offseason. Right now he likely tops out as an NHL/AHL tweener with hustle and relentlessness like Brandon Hagel but lacks consistency and finish. Altybarmakian could get a one-year renewal but could easily be allowed to walk this summer.

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See you on the boards!

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