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Rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju will miss his first NHL game as a healthy scratch Friday when the Blackhawks visit the Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
"We want to get him back to his highest level. I think he's got more to give us, but certainly we really believe in him and think he can be a big part of what we're doing here."
— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) November 23, 2018
Jeremy Colliton on scratching Henri Jokiharju from the lineup in Tampa. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2oDJU062A6
Jokiharju leads the Blackhawks in Corsi-For at 56.09 percent while playing in a top-four role. He has 10 assists this season, which ties him with Brent Seabrook for the most points among Blackhawks blue liners. Jokiharju’s assist total ranks only behind Patrick Kane (13) on the team.
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The 19-year-old Finnish defenseman started the season with veteran Duncan Keith on the top defensive pairing under Joel Quenneville. But since head coach Jeremy Colliton took over the team, Jokiharju has skated on the second line with Erik Gustafsson.
Brandon Manning will draw into the lineup in place of the 19-year-old Finnish defenseman. Manning has been a healthy scratch the past two games. He has a goal and an assist in 16 games in his first season with the Blackhawks.
Jokiharju isn’t the only player that will be a healthy scratch Friday. Forwards John Hayden and Andreas Martinsen will also be out as veteran winger Chris Kunitz and rookie forward Luke Johnson draw into the lineup.