Blackhawks Bits: Kevin Lankinen added to COVID-19 protocol

The Chicago Blackhawks have largely avoided any significant COVID-related issues to this point in the 2021-22 NHL season, but it appears those fortunes are starting to turn against them.

During Friday’s practice, the team announced that goaltender Kevin Lankinen was placed in COVID-19 protocol:

With No. 1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury added to the protocol earlier this week, the Blackhawks will now be without their top two goalies for Saturday’s game against the Nashville Predators.

Youngster Arvid Soderblom was added to the taxi squad this week and now appears to be the backup to Collin Delia. With the Blackhawks playing on Saturday against Nashville and then at home on Sunday night against the Calgary Flames, it’s possible that Soderblom could make his NHL debut this weekend.

Catching up on a few other roster moves from the week: on Thursday, defenseman Alec Regula and forward Josiah Slavin were each added to the taxi squad while two other players were activated from injured reserve and should be available for the weekend slate:

The Khaira news is especially welcome after the scary scene that unfolded on the ice when he was hit up high by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba.

It also appears that Borgstrom will be back in the lineup for Saturday, as he was part of the second power-play unit during Friday’s practice:

As of this writing, the Blackhawks are scheduled to play their first game in two weeks on Saturday against the Nashvilled Predators. Fingers crossed.