Blackhawks top prospect Kirby Dach was back on the ice Friday skating on his own one week after being placed in concussion protocol.
Dach skated with Blackhawks assistant strength and conditioning coach Patrick Becker, who had the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft go through some drills while the rest of the team practiced on the other rink at Fifth Third Arena.
“Good that he could get out there,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “Not going to get too excited about it, but it’s not a bad thing. We’ll just see how the next little while plays out.”
Dach suffered a concussion during the seventh-place game in the NHL Prospect tournament Sept. 10 in Traverse City, Michigan, when a Wild prospect Darian Pilon pushed him into the boards behind the net. Dach exited the game in the first period and did not return for precautionary reasons.
Dach can play up to nine NHL games this season before burning the first year of his entry-level contract. The Blackhawks would likely have him play NHL games at the start of the season then reassign him to the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL, if they feel he’s not ready for a full season in the NHL. Colliton still believes Dach has a shot at playing in the NHL this season.
“He’s never out of the running,” Colliton said. “He’s here, but we want to get him available first then we’ll think about those things.”
That’s DACH skating. Stupid phone. pic.twitter.com/4sQwoR0Sts
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) September 20, 2019
More Dach. pic.twitter.com/DI1NjINVql
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) September 20, 2019
Colliton on Dach pic.twitter.com/mnLPnXREPe
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 20, 2019