Next Game vs Avalanche
After getting shut out 2-0 in Denver earlier in the week, the Blackhawks can see if the third time is a charm to pick up a victory this season against the Avalanche who roll into the United Center today. The Hawks have an off day on Saturday before heading to St. Louis for a Sunday tilt with the Blues then host the Canucks on Monday.
The Avs will be without star center Nathan MacKinnon after Bruins winger Taylor Hall clipped him in the upper torso which resulted in MacKinnon's own stick hitting him in the face breaking his nose. To take MacKinnon's spot in the lineup, former Blackhawks prospect Dylan Sikura has been recalled from the AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles.
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Roster Updates
With Brett Connolly clearing waivers, he reports back to Rockford where he has had a positive influence on the youngsters on the farm especially on top prospect and common linemate Lukas Reichel. However, as recently suggested by Scott Powers from the Athletic, Connolly as well as Tyler Johnson could be potential buyout candidates.
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IceHogs Updates
According to Ben Pope from the Chicago-Sun Times, the reassignment of Arvid Soderblom to Rockford allows him to start in at least one of the IceHogs weekend games tonight in Milwaukee against the Admirals or tomorrow closer to home to battle with the Wolves. Again, the Hawks also have a match tonight but are off tomorrow.
Another thing that Pope noted yesterday was interim head coach Derek King stating that Soderblom is "eventually going to be in the NHL permanently." Assuming permanently means as early as this season, that's an interesting comment as that would necessitate one of Marc-Andre Fleury or Kevin Lankinen being gone at some point.
It otherwise doesn't make sense for Soderblom to be 3rd string in Chicago only to practice with the team but not see game action. Being in a backup platoon situation with Lankinen also wouldn't be good for either of their development as Fleury would get a bulk of the starts then they split whatever remaining starts there are.
Soderblom is better off being the Hogs starter so he can log as many minutes as possible with Collin Delia and Cale Morris backing him up. Similar to Reichel’s situation, why rush Soderblom to the NHL when he can play big minutes in the AHL instead. The Hawks may have a good grasp of what they have in both Reichel and Soderblom so let them ripen in the minors.
However, if Fleury or Lankinen is shipped out by the trade deadline, then Soderblom should by all means be the backup goalie for the Hawks unless another goalie is acquired. For example, a frequent trade scenario where Fleury heads to the Oilers is fellow goalie Mikko Koskinen being part of the deal. Koskinen would help to offset salary added to Edmonton’s cap space and it helps that he is on an expiring contract so the Hawks can let him walk if they so desire.
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