The Blackhawks made a couple of roster moves ahead of practice on Wednesday, recalling defensemen Madison Bowey and assigning defensemen Wyatt Kalynuk and winger Michal Teply to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. With the IceHogs season starting on Friday, this will allow the two rookies an opportunity to play regularly.
The newly signed Bowey was assigned to the Blackhawks taxi squad. It’s uncertain if he’ll draw into the lineup anytime sooner — if at all — but it would be surprising since Bowey is only one game away from meeting the games-played requirement for the Seattle expansion.
ROSTER MOVES: Defenseman Madison Bowey was re-assigned to the taxi squad from the @goicehogs.
Forward Michal Teply and defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk were re-assigned to Rockford.@Enterprise | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/bChC374URr
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 3, 2021
Despite facing over 40 shots the night before, Kevin Lankinen did not take a maintenance day and was in the starter’s net, suggesting he’ll get the nod again on Thursday for the rematch against the Hurricanes. Malcolm Subban also practiced with the main group in the other net.
Lines also remained the same from the previous game, with Anton Lindholm and Lucas Carlsson skating together as the extra defense pair.
Blackhawks’ lines in practice today:
Janmark-Kurashev-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Kubalik
Hagel-Soderberg-Shaw
Highmore-Kampf-Suterde Haan-Murphy
Zadorov-Beaudin
Keith-Mitchell
Lindholm-CarlssonLankinen & Subban
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 3, 2021
After losing in two shootouts without scoring a single goal, the Blackhawks took more time than usual in practice to work on their shootouts. Ian Mitchell apparently impressed during the drill.
Ian Mitchell with the shootout goal pic.twitter.com/goEAIYN15T
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 3, 2021
Although neither skated, it was great to see Kirby Dach and Brent Seabrook make an appearance. It’s been reported that Seabrook is skating, but there was no timetable for his return. Dach is still expected to miss another 3-4 months after having wrist surgery in December.
Kirby Dach and Brent Seabrook are watching practice from the bench today. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/WliD9jr3Op
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 3, 2021
The was no update given about the remaining Blackhawks players (Adam Boqvist, Lucas Wallmark, and Ryan Carpenter) on the COVID-19 Protocol list. Alex DeBrincat and Nicolas Beaudin were removed from the list Tuesday and returned to the lineup for the game that same night.
The Blackhawks play the Hurricanes Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the United Center. Carolina announced Wednesday that goaltender Peter Petr Mrazek is out indefinitely following surgery on his right thumb.
Petr Mrazek underwent thumb surgery in Vail, Colo., earlier today, and the Hurricanes goaltender said on his Instagram story that his recovery has begun. https://t.co/W3Ta4VlRNa
— Canes Country (@CanesCountry) February 3, 2021