The Chicago Blackhawks are off for the Christmas break, and return Sunday at home against Carolina.
The Hawks have won seven of their 12 games in December, and sit in third place in the Central Division at 44 points. Dallas holds the division lead with 54 points followed by St. Louis at 46 points.
HAWKS
**2016 WJC: Nick Schmaltz makes Team USA roster (SCH)
**Marko Dano believes demotion from Hawks to AHL was ‘a good move’ (Chicago Tribune)
**Swedish Hawks find bit of home for holidays at local restaurant (Chicago Tribune)
**Blocking shots big part of game for Hawks (Daily Herald)
**Ryan Hartman receives three-game suspension (IceHogs)
**Daniel Paille to represent Canada in Spengler Cup (IceHogs)
**Week ahead: Hawks rest up during Christmas break; WJC begins (SCH)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**Pekka Rinne has best performance in a month (OTF)
**Goaltending play helps Wild avoid December slump (Star Tribune)
NHL
**Blashill says officials need to look after young stars after Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin roughed up (MLive)
**Boudreau says Ducks played like a Junior B team in latest loss (theScore)
**Coyotes sign QMJHL leading scorer Conor Garland to ELC (theScore)
HOCKEY WORLD
**2016 WJC: Team USA makes final roster cuts (SBNCH)
**2016 WJC: Breaking down the Team USA roster (SBNCH)
**2016 WJC: Most of USA’s best juniors make the cut (SCoC)
**Raphael Diaz signs five-year deal with EV Zug of Swiss League (PHT)