Marcus Kruger will play for the first time since suffering a dislocated left wrist Dec. 17 when the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Calgary Flames on Saturday at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Chicago plays a back-to-back at Calgary and Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, before heading back state side next Tuesday at Minnesota.
Kruger, 25, signed a three-year extension worth $9.25 million earlier this month. He was set to become a restricted free agent for the second consecutive offseason. Last summer, he waited until August before settling for a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Kruger centered the fourth line alongside Andrew Desjardins at left wing and Andrew Shaw at right wing during Friday’s morning skate. It is a welcome change for the Hawks at center as Kruger boast a 53.8 faceoff percentage in the defensive zone, which ranks third in the NHL.
The Swedish forward underwent successful surgery to repair a dislocated left wrist Dec. 18 that he suffered in a 4-0 win over the Oilers the night before. His initial timetable to return was ‘approximately four months’ and it appears it has not changed. He has one assist in 33 games this season, although he’s played his usual role as a key penalty killer. Chicago placed him on injured reserve Dec. 28.