Morning Bag Skate, Jan. 2: 'Hawks lose Winter Classic, Versteeg

Good news, you guys: Alex Ovechkin and the rest of that Caps' power-play won't be bearing down on Corey Crawford today. I thoroughly enjoy watching Ovechkin and Co. on the man-advantage, just not against the 'Hawks. Here's hoping Thursday was the only time the world will see the 'Hawks on the wrong end of a handshake line this season.

Onto the news:

**The 'Hawks will likely be without Kris Versteeg for "a bit," Joel Quenneville told reporters after Thursday's Winter Classic time. Teuvo Time, anyone? (LET ME DREAM, DARN IT) (SCH)

**Snow would've been nice -- nobody at Soldier Field for the Stadium Series game will ever forget how awesome of an experience that was -- but the Winter Classic went on without a hitch. Niklas Hjalmarsson didn't exactly feel safe, though. (Chicago Tribune)

**The Blackhawks weren't the only ones wearing "CR" decals on their helmets to honor the late Clint Reif on Thursday. (Sun-Times)

**Jerry Jones' playroom is major North American sports' premier venue, but it doesn't appear AT&T Stadium will be hosting a hockey game any time soon. (Dallas Morning News)

**Jimmy and Kevin Hayes, brothers and often-debated former 'Hawks prospects, reunited on New Year's Eve when the Rangers took on the Panthers. (Sun-Sentinel)

**The Wild need a lift, and they may be getting one soon, as Jonas Brodin and Jason Zucker each returned to practice on Thursday. (Star Tribune)

**Breaking: Dustin Brown can spell. (CBS Sports)

**Not breaking: Joffrey Lupul is injured again. The Maple Leafs placed him on IR on Thursday. (PHT)

**Zack Kassian, meanwhile, is not injured. He continues to be a scratch, though, and he's upset. (PHT)

**Michael Del Zotto's play has never been easy on the eyes of his team's fans. Now his social media game is also cringe-worthy. (Puck Daddy)

**Last, and certainly least, just like in the standings, we have the Oilers. Edmonton defenseman Keith Aulie was suspended for two games on Thursday. (NHL.com)