David Kampf will return to the Blackhawks’ lineup Thursday against the Sabres after missing a month with a broken bone in his right foot, Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said after Thursday’s practice. Winger Dylan Sikura will be a healthy scratch.
Kampf suffered the injury in the first period against the Oilers on Feb. 5 in Edmonton. He only skated 5:30 minutes of ice time across nine shifts before exiting the game.
The 24-year-old Kampf centered the fourth line with Chris Kunitz and Marcus Kruger during Wednesday’s practice. Kampf has three goals and 13 assists in 50 games in his second NHL season.
The Blackhawks do not need to make a corresponding roster move when they activate Kampf from injured reserve as the NHL’s 23-man roster limit is not in place at this time.
Forward Drake Caggiula remains in concussion protocol, and has not skated since suffering the head injury a week ago, according to Chris Wescott of Blackhawks.com. Caggiula’s concussion occurred when he was slammed into the glass by Ducks forward Rickard Rakell in the second period Feb. 27 in Anaheim. Caggiula has four goals and three assists in 21 games since he was traded from Edmonton to Chicago.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated from Wednesday’s report.