NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks are in the middle of a four-day break between games on Friday and Wednesday. After dispatching of the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night (the third win-a-row for the club), Chicago will embark on a four-game roadtrip beginning Wednesday, when they take on the Seattle Kraken for the first time in franchise history.
Chicago has gone through a number of injuries to begin the season, but a few players are close to returning to the club as they prepare to head to Seattle for the first of four games on the West Coast.
Caleb Jones, who has been out since before the beginning of the season, has skated again with the team over the past few days and is close to making his season debut, potentially against his former club.
Caleb Jones said he’s “feeling better every day” with his wrist and will be going on the Blackhawks’ Western road trip, although he’s not sure yet when he’ll make his season debut.
“I’m not gonna lie, it would be nice to play in Edmonton.”
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 15, 2021
Jones was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in the Duncan Keith trade, and has played all 93 of his career NHL games with the Oilers prior to arriving with the Blackhawks. Chicago takes on the Oilers on Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. CT.
Tyler Johnson has been away from the Blackhawks since October 29th with a neck injury, then was placed on COVID protocol. He has since been cleared from COVID protocol since Wednesday, November 10th, but has yet to rejoin the team on the ice.
Derek King said Tyler Johnson will be reevaluated today and tomorrow. He isn’t sure if he’ll make the road trip. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 15, 2021
Johnson has skated in eight games with one goal and two assists for the Blackhawks this season.
Brandon Hagel will be rejoining the team tomorrow and making the roadtrip this week with the Blackhawks, according to interim head coach Derek King. Hagel has been out with a shoulder injury since November 7th.
Derek King said Brandon Hagel (shoulder) is expected to practice with the team tomorrow but no contact. He will go on the road trip. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 15, 2021
Hagel has four goals and two assists in 13 games for Chicago this season. He had been placed on a line with Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalík in Derek King’s first game as head coach on November 7th and scored a goal in that game before leaving in the third period with his shoulder injury.
Chicago’s upcoming roadtrip includes games against the Seattle Kraken (Wednesday), Edmonton Oilers (Saturday), Vancouver Canucks (Sunday), and Calgary Flames (Tuesday, November 23rd).
