The Blackhawks opened Monday with some roster moves, recalling forward Mike Hardman and assigning defensemen Ian Mitchell to Rockford.
#Blackhawks recall Mike Hardman from the @goicehogs and assign Ian Mitchell.
Hardman poster two assists in AHL action on Saturday. Mitchell played in the season opener Wednesday for the NHL club. https://t.co/x2a9RM4Hrn
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) October 18, 2021
The Blackhawks also returned to practice at Fifth Third Arena Monday morning.
During line rushes, Hardman skated on a newly formed third line with Alex DeBrincat and Henrik Borgstrom. The Jonathan Toews line remains intact while Brandon Hagel joined by Kirby Dach and Patrick Kane. The latter group were together during the third period in Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh and combined for one of the two Blackhawks goals. Tyler Johnson, who started the season with Kane, fell all the way to the fourth line.
Not listed below, but the defensemen were all rotating with each other at one time or another during Monday’s practice.
#Blackhawks lines at practice today:
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
Hagel-Dach-Kane
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Hardman
Khaira-Entwistle-Johnson*Carpenter, Gaudette and Strome are on the outside
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 18, 2021
Considering Dylan Strome has had a lot of offensive success with DeBrincat, the lineup decision to keep sitting Strome definitely caused some raised eyebrows. Adam Gaudette — who could potentially help produce as well — also hasn’t consistently been with offense-minded players so far and looks to be scratched for Tuesday night’s game too.
I’m no coach, but if my team was scoring once every 70 minutes or so at 5v5 I might consider giving this guy a chance pic.twitter.com/XtpZNQiXXP
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) October 18, 2021
Coach Jeremy Colliton sidestepped questions about how Dylan Strome would be useful considering the Blackhawks current offensive woes:
Asked Colliton about Dylan Strome’s continued and conspicuous absence from the lineup, especially with Mike Hardman coming up from Rockford and leapfrogging him into the lineup: pic.twitter.com/wAYECbevu6
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 18, 2021
Speaking of woes, Tyler Johnson also spoke about the disappointing start to the season:
Asked Tyler Johnson about the Blackhawks’ frustration level of being in such disarray in both ends of the ice considering how much work was put into this particular training camp: pic.twitter.com/moKi92YY4d
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 18, 2021
Despite the slow start and lack of success in previous years, Colliton still seems to have the locker room behind him. Jonathan Toews spoke to The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus about how he was “100 percent” behind Colliton:
“You get results when you play Jeremy’s way.”
Jeremy Colliton might have lost the Blackhawks fan base, but he definitely hasn’t lost the room.
✍️ @MarkLazerus https://t.co/p1nRZbehjt
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) October 18, 2021
Last, the Blackhawks announced Monday that Marian Hossa legacy night would be Nov. 9 to coincide with his Hall of Fame induction:
He’s coming back to Chicago!
Honor Marian Hossa with us on Nov. 9 🙌
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 18, 2021
The Blackhawks face the New York Islanders for their home opener at the United Center Tuesday night at 7 p.m.