On a relatively quiet Sunday for the Blackhawks ahead of next week’s games against Nashville, news broke of another long-injured player returning to the ice.
Blackhawks forward Alex Nylander had practiced for the first time this season since having knee surgery in December. The news surfaced when Nylander shared a video from his personal Twitter account.
Feels great to be back on ice pic.twitter.com/eT3SmbiO4P
— Alex Nylander (@snipeshow98) April 18, 2021
While no official date has been given for Nylander’s return to the Blackhawks’ lineup, his recovery timetable was originally stated to be 4-6 months from the Dec. 23 announcement of the injury to the 23-year-old, former first-round pick who has been sidelined by a torn meniscus.
In 65 games with the Blackhawks during the 2019-20 season, Nylander totaled 10 goals and 16 assists.
In other injury news, coach Jeremy Colliton provided updates on defensemen Adam Boqvist and Calvin de Haan, who both missed the two-game set against the Red Wings.
Adam Boqvist and Calvin de Haan are still both day-to-day.
“We’ll see,” Joelemy Quennevilliton said.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 18, 2021
Boqvist, who suffered a concussion early in the April 12 game against Columbus, remains in concussion protocol while de Haan continues to deal with a hip pointer.
The Hawks have failed to pick up a victory against the Predators this season, going 0-3-2 in matchups with their Central Division rival. Their upcoming series against Nashville will likely determine if the Blackhawks’ playoff hopes will stay alive.
Patrick Kane said this 3-game set with Nashville isn’t just important experience for the young guys, but for the vets, too. “The success hasn’t been here as a team, as an organization, where we want it to be. These are huge games for all of us.”
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 18, 2021
That pivotal three-game series against the Predators opens on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.