NEWSLETTER
Patrick Kane was on the ice for the Blackhawks’ morning skate ahead of hosting the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night, but he will not play in the game this evening.
Kane said he felt okay during the morning skate, but acknowledged that the lower-body issue he’s dealing with isn’t quite there. So taking an extra day or two (or up to a week if he doesn’t skate on Sunday) to get it more right feels prudent.
Head coach Luke Richardson noted that Kane admitted he probably shouldn’t have played against Tampa, but he isn’t the kind of guy to tap out. That was further complicated by Tyler Johnson being sick; the Hawks had to use Caleb Jones as a forward on Tuesday.
Richardson wouldn’t comment on a lineup yet for Friday night’s game; he said it’s still a work in progress up front. But Caleb Jones will be back on the blueline with Isaak Phillips getting the night off. Boris Katchouk will join Kane as a scratch up front with Brett Seney and Lukas Reichel in the lineup.
Kane did spend some time on the ice with a special new teammate.
Luca Bear Bish was at practice with the Blackhawks this morning. The six-year-old was a guest of the Hawks with Make-A-Wish. He’s from San Diego and is in remission after battle leukemia. He got to greet the team and put some shots on net with his favorite player — Kane — at the end of the morning skate and then had his own locker next to Kane’s where they answered questions from the media. After that, he signed a one-day contract in a press conference with Richardson and general manager Kyle Davidson. Bish and his family will be at the game tonight. As I say in the tweet below, I’m the father of a six-year-old so this one hit me in the feels. It’s great to see him in remission and I wish for the best for him!
