Practice updates: IceHogs game postponed; Connolly, Stillman to join Blackhawks soon

The Blackhawks practiced on Friday before leaving for a pair of road games against the Blue Jackets.

Chicago experimented with special teams during practice, which were disappointing on Thursday night against the Stars:

Adam Boqvist has not played a ton of penalty kill time. Ever. Boqvist said his one shift on the penalty kill this season is pretty much the only time he’s played shorthanded in his career, through juniors and the AHL and his playing time in Sweden:

Alex DeBrincat has played 4:13 on the penalty kill this season and has played 30:30 shorthanded throughout his NHL career. He’s not as odd a selection for the shorthanded units but it’s still different seeing the 5-foot-7 forward on the defensive side of the puck.

The Blackhawks will have new players Riley Stillman and Brett Connolly meet the team in Columbus:

Stillman and Connolly were acquired from the Panthers on Thursday. Henrik Borgstrom, who was also acquired in the trade, is expected to sign with Chicago in the offseason and perhaps join the team next year.

Speaking of Columbus, the Blue Jackets will be down a significant piece for the upcoming games against the Hawks and for the rest of the season:

The Rockford IceHogs game against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday was postponed. The IceHogs will resume action on Tuesday Apr. 13 against the Iowa Wild:

The IceHogs are sixth in the AHL’s Central Division this season with seven wins. They’re led in scoring by veteran defenseman Cody Franson who has 14 points this season. Evan Barratt, perhaps Chicago’s top forward prospect at the AHL level, has 12 points in 20 games.