Duncan Keith will miss the first four preseason games as he continues rehabilitation on his injured right knee, Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Kevin Dineen told reporters after Monday’s training camp practice.
Keith has not been ruled out for the Blackhawks’ final two preseason games – Oct. 4 vs. Detroit and Oct. 8 at St. Louis.
The 33-year-old defenseman was named to Team Canada for the World Cup, but pulled out of the competition Aug. 24 to give him extra time to rehab his knee. Keith had surgery Oct. 20 last year to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee that he suffered during the 2015 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, had nine goals and 34 assists in 67 games last season. He added three goals and two assists in six playoff games.
Dineen also said the Blackhawks will also be without forward Patrick Kane and defenseman Michal Kempny when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins in their preseason opener Wednesday. Both players participated in the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto for their respective countries, but were eliminated after the round robin round.
Patrick Kane is at the UC. Expected to rejoin the #Blackhawks on the ice tomorrow.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) September 26, 2016
Dineen said defensive prospect Ville Pokka could play.
Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and forwards Artem Anisimov, Marcus Kruger and Artemi Panarin will join Hawks’ training camp Friday. All four players were eliminated in the World Cup’s semifinal round.