NEWSLETTER
We’ve got some significant roster moves to begin the day for the Blackhawks.
This morning, the team announced that Captain Jonathan Toews would be placed on injured reserve, retroactive to January 26, while he remains in concussion protocol. Also, forward Jujhar Khaira will head to long-term injured reserve and rookie Lukas Reichel will be recalled to the Blackhawks from the AHL Rockford IceHogs.
Jonathan Toews (concussion protocol) has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 26.
Jujhar Khaira (lower back) placed on long-term injured reserve. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 18, 2022
Toews has been away from the team since that January 26 game against the Detroit Red Wings, only working out off the ice during his time away. That was until yesterday when Toews as able to get on the ice for a workout, but it appears that he is still a bit away from returning to the club.
Derek King said Jonathan Toews was "on the ice this morning, just for a little wheel. Nothing serious. I think he was just putting his gear on to make sure he remembers how to do it."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 17, 2022
Toews’ placement on IR means that he is ineligible to compete in any games for no less than the next seven days according to the CBA. Chicago plays tonight against the Dallas Stars and on Sunday against the Florida Panthers over the next seven days. Though having him placed on IR retroactively allows the Blackhawks flexibility in bringing him back to the lineup earlier, if he is healthy enough.
Also happening this morning, the Blackhawks recalled rookie Lukas Reichel from the Rockford IceHogs. The 2020 first-round pick has been great for the IceHogs in his first year playing professionally in North America, recording 33 points in 33 AHL games.
We have recalled Lukas Reichel from the @goicehogs @enterprise | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/rqpJ1ughWT
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 18, 2022
Reichel is one of eight active rookies to be playing at a point-per-game pace in the AHL the season and leads the IceHogs in both goals (14) and points (33) this season. He had a two-game stint in the NHL earlier this season, making his debut on January 13 against the Montreal Canadiens. He recorded no point with five shots on goal in his first two NHL games.
Reichel is the top prospect in the Blackhawks’ system and is playing on the first year of his entry-level contract. If he plays more than seven more games in the NHL this season, Reichel will “burn” the first year of his deal, making him a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024. If he plays nine or fewer NHL games this season, Reichel’s contract can “slide” another year, making his a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025 instead.
