Duncan Keith won’t be participating in the World Cup of Hockey for Team Canada because of a lingering right knee injury, and Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman says he may not be ready for the start of the regular season.
“I try not to put any expectations on it,” said Bowman during World Cup media day Thursday at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, according to the Chicago Tribune. “I guess we’ll just see. He’ll be ready when he’s ready. It’s nothing to be alarmed about but right now we’re not trying to put time frames on it. We’ll have a better feel once we get into exhibition games and if he’s ready to play, he’ll play.”
The 33-year-old defenseman was named to Team Canada for the World Cup, but pulled out of the competition Aug. 24 to give him extra time to rehab his knee. Keith had surgery Oct. 20 last year to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee that he suffered during the 2015 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Blackhawks play their first preseason game Sept. 28 against the Pittsburgh Penguins and open the regular season Oct. 12 at home against the St. Louis Blues.
Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, had nine goals and 34 assists in 67 games last season. He added three goals and two assists in six playoff games.