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Blackhawks top prospect Kirby Dach will make the trip to Europe on Thursday with the team, but it’s “unlikely” he’ll play in either game, general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday.
The Blackhawks play an exhibition game Sunday against Eisbären Berlin in Germany before opening the regular season against the Flyers in Prague, Czech Republic.
Dach joined the team near the end of practice for the first time since being put in concussion protocol. He spent the past few days skating on his own prior to the team’s practices.
Stan Bowman says Kirby Dach will join the team on the Global Series trip to Berlin and Prague, though he's unlikely to play in either game.
— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) September 25, 2019
"The next step is for him to get into practice and he's close." pic.twitter.com/IX42FeazK3
Kirby Dach is out here now pic.twitter.com/jcE3W0RlaR
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 25, 2019
More injury updates
Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said goaltender Robin Lehner (right hip) and forward Zack Smith (lower back) injuries are not serious.
Lehner left Tuesday’s practice early with the injury. Collin Delia will serve as Corey Crawford’s backup for Chicago’s preseason game against the Capitals on Wednesday at the United Center.
John Quenneville (right hip) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
Pretty good news all around on the #Blackhawks' injury front:
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 25, 2019
Lehner: "Should be no problem."
Murphy and Smith: Minor tweaks. Both not feeling 100%, but weren't supposed to play today anyway.
Dach: Not expected to play, but coming on Europe trip anyway.