Johnny Oduya is making his return from injury right on time.
The Blackhawks‘ defenseman participated in Friday’s morning skate for the first time since suffering a upper-body injury Feb. 22 in a 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins at the United Center. He skated one shift before heading to the locker room shortly afterward and did not return.
Coach Joel Quenneville has confirmed Oduya will not play Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. Quenneville also stated Oduya will likely return next week during the Arizona-San Jose road trip.
The Swedish blue-liner has two goals and three assists through 60 games this season. He was one of just nine Blackhawks at the time of his injury to not miss a game.
The Blackhawks are still waiting on rookie defensemen Trevor van Riemsdyk’s return from his own injury, a left patella fracture from a Dallas’ Trevor Daley shot on Nov. 16. Van Riemsdyk returned to practicing two days prior to Oduya’s injury.
Van Riemsdyk has one assist in 18 games this season.
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