The All Star Bye Week is officially over as the Hawks get back on the ice tonight as they find themselves in a big match-up against the Ducks. Crazy how times have changed, when you called a game between these two being a big match-up, it was with a playoff series on the line. Nowadays, the big match-up comes in the form of fighting to be the worst. Although I might argue when the type of player that Bedard is on the line, this might just be as important as trying to win a series.
One of the topics being discussed during the break involved the passing of Hawks Legend Bobby Hull. Given his past and off ice issues, there was some question on how this team was or if they were going to honor him. Danny Wirtz answered those questions by stating that the team will hold a moment of silence and play a video montage prior to tonights game. I personally believe that not doing something to honor him would have been the incorrect move. Bobby was a hockey legend and despite the mindset of people today, it is ok to remember him for who he was on the ice while recognizing that off ice he was not a great person. Face it, no matter what decision the Hawks made here, it was going to be the wrong one, so might as well remember him for what he contributed to the sport of hockey.
On to Tuesdays game, incase you need a refresher where the Hawks left off; they had a surprisingly good January finishing 7-6 for 14 points and find themselves tied with Columbus for worst record in the league. The Ducks come in to this one riding a 3-game win streak and sit 3 points ahead of the Hawks in the standings. One thing going against the Hawks is they currently have 2 games in hand on the Ducks and 3 on the Jackets.
With just 24 days to go before the trade deadline things are going to get absolutely insane with rumors being tossed around who’s going and who’s staying. In my blog yesterday I took a look at what could happen with Toews and Kane and I feel like as we get closer to the deadline the foggier the picture is getting. Toews is set to miss tonights game with a non-covid illness that saw him miss time before the break. Hearing this, you have to think any interest he might have been drawing might slow up a bit, as he might not be worth taking a chance on. As for Kane, unless you are a Hawks fan, he is being deemed useless and rumors swirling that the worst kept secret among the league is he needs hip surgery. If this is truly the case, I hope that they shut him down sooner than later, let him get the surgery he might need, and sign him to at least a year extension and go from there. Again, take that information with a grain of salt as its difficult to sort through the truth and the BS that comes this time of year.
There were some other roster moves and updates made by the team on Sunday.
~Jaxon Stauber was recalled from Rockford on an emergency basis
~Tyler Johnsons ankle injury is not as severe as expected and has been cleared and is expected to play tonight.
~Jarred Tinordi has also been cleared to play but will continued to wear a cage.
~Alex Stalock has returned to practice and Coach Richardson is monitoring how he reacts to practice. Hopes to get back into the line up sooner than later.
~ Jujhar Khaira returned to the ice on Monday however there is no timeline set for when he might get back into the line up.
Next Up Anaheim Ducks 16-29-5
Players to Watch
Trevor Zebras 18 goals 24 assists 42 points
Troy Terry 13 goals 29 assists 42 points
Adam Henrique 18 goals 12 assists 30 points
Projected Starter
Anthony Stolarz 4-6 3.88 GAA .895 SV%
Tonight kicks off what is going to be a very interesting few weeks for this team and could see this franchise altered in major ways. They will take the ice 12 times. 7 of those games come against teams who could potentially win the 1st overall pick. They will also have 4 back-to-backs this month, so a lot of hockey in a short period of time. Safe to say that the fuzzy picture that is this team's future could slowly start to become more clear here pretty soon.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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