NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks could use some positive news on the injury front, and it appeared some of that might be coming based on who was dressed and active in practice on Thursday.
Sam Lafferty, Jarred Tinordi, Tyler Johnson, Petr Mrazek and Alex Stalock were all on the ice at some point. Lafferty, Tinordi and Stalock were all involved in the full-team practice.
After practice, Lafferty told the media he feels pretty much back to “normal.” And head coach Luke Richardson said if he feels good after a full-go practice, Lafferty could return to the lineup on Friday night against Winnipeg.
With three days off between games, the Blackhawks could benefit with a couple other veteran skaters returning. Richardson said Tinordi (hip) and Tyler Johnson (ankle) are progressing well and, if they feel good early next week, might be available against the Capitals on Tuesday night.
Concussions are a different issue altogether, and neither Stalock nor Richardson was willing to commit to a timeline. But Stalock felt good enough to get into a team practice on Thursday. Richardson said Mrazek was just getting on the ice for the first time after suffering another groin injury; he did not join the full team session.
When Stalock and Mrazek are both healthy, they’ll be the two goaltenders on the NHL roster. Even though Arvid Soderblom has been playing the majority of the NHL games lately, the plan is still for him to get ice time in Rockford if/when the Blackhawks have both of their veterans available.
