NEWSLETTER
Yeah, the headline here likely has you thinking “OMG the season is over! No Patrick Kane?” But here’s the situation: the Blackhawks are activating MacKenzie Entwistle off IR because he’s ready to go for tonight’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. They would need to either send someone down or put someone else on IR to make room for him on the roster. So… Kane is going on IR.
However, Kane is going on IR retroactive to last week, so head coach Luke Richardson said he’s eligible to come off and play as early as Saturday against Seattle if he’s ready to go. Kane participated in the morning skate bit isn’t quite there yet. And buying him another day to get a full practice in on Friday is another strong step in being closer to 100 percent.
Jonathan Toews was asked if he’s given Kane a hard time for the team being 2-0 in his absence, and the captain admitted he did joke with Kane after the first win but wasn’t sure it would have been as well received after the second.
Richardson was also asked about defenseman Jarred Tinordi, who’s coming back from facial fractures. He’s been on the ice with the team the last couple days with a full cage and was with them for the morning skate. Richardson said he isn’t getting the hardware removed from his mouth until closer to the end of the month so his return to game action isn’t likely until around the All-Star Break (early February).
