The Blackhawks announced Monday that defenseman Connor Murphy will return to the lineup after missing time with a hip injury. The team also announced that defenseman Lucas Carlsson has been placed on the injured reserve list with a strained groin and is expected to miss 10-14 days, while forward Dylan Strome missed Monday’s practice and is in concussion protocol.
MEDICAL UPDATES: Connor Murphy has been activated from IR (right hip).
Lucas Carlsson has been placed on IR (strained groin), retroactive to Feb. 19 and is expected to miss 10-14 days.
Dylan Strome will not practice today (concussion protocol).https://t.co/9dDLOx3jv9
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 22, 2021
Murphy, who has 5 points in 13 games this season, will slot in for the injured Carlsson, who is yet to pick up his first point this season in limited ice time. Coach Jeremy Coalition has not shied away from dressing seven defenseman and it remains unknown if he will do so again heading into Tuesday night’s game in Columbus.
Strome’s availability for Tuesday’s game is also unknown although it appears unlikely after being placed in concussion protocol on Monday. Over the last stretch of games, Strome has struggled to find consistency:
Dylan Strome’s 2021 season:
– Ongoing 6-game point drought
– 2 even-strength points in 19 games
– 39.2% faceoff rate his last 15 games
– 44.4% scoring chance ratio
– Under 12:30 ice time last 2 games
– Now in concussion protocolIt’s been rough:https://t.co/kSAYfn94HA
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 22, 2021
While seeing less ice time amidst a six-game scoring drought, it is unknown if Strome’s possible injury has contributed to his decrease in production. Strome currently owns 8 points in 19 games this season.
In addition to roster updates, the Blackhawks announced their Reverse Retro uniform schedule on Monday.
Dressed in our Sunday best this weekend✨#ReverseRetro pic.twitter.com/uwWGbz07jz
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 22, 2021
The Reverse Retro series plays off of similar alternate uniform programs such as MLB’s Players’ Weekend, the NBA’s City Edition and the NFL’s Color Rush. Adding a new jersey into the mix is a way to create a new look and a bit of excitement for fans, while generating more revenue for the league.
The idea the NHL presented this offseason was to have teams combine elements from different throwback jerseys while mixing up colors, logos or stripe patterns to give them a new look. The Blackhawks chose to base their Reverse Retro jersey off of the team’s away sweater worn from 1948-51, only inverting the white to black and adding names on the back.
The Blackhawks will debut their new uniforms when they host the Red Wings on Feb. 28 at the United Center. They will also be worn for two more home games: March 28 against the Predators and the April 8 meeting with the Stars.