NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks have a lot of banged up bodies right now, so practice was an interesting situation to watch unfold on Tuesday.
The first two skaters on the ice about 40 minutes before the rest of the team were defenseman Jarred Tinordi, who’s working his way back from a facial fracture, and forward MacKenzie Entwistle. Both joined the full team for practice.
Entwistle, who has missed the last six games, told Ben Pope that he’s feeling much better and might be close to returning to availability.
Tinordi didn’t speak with the media (his mouth was wired shut) but he looked pretty good. Tinordi coming back would create an issue on the back end that might end up with Isaak Phillips going back to Rockford; they already have too many bodies.
The player everyone was waiting to see what obviously Patrick Kane. He came out before practice began to do some work.
Kane did not join the full team session, however. After practice, head coach Luke Richardson said Kane received some treatment yesterday and was testing it out today. Richardson said Kane felt okay on the ice today, but wouldn’t commit to him being available on Thursday. According to the coach, how Kane responds to additional treatment and practice tomorrow will determine his availability for the game against the Avalanche.
Jujhar Khaira was nowhere to be found today and has been dealing with a lower back issue. That’s a complicated matter for Khaira, who had back surgery last year. The fact that he hasn’t been on the ice since Christmas is concerning.
