The Blackhawks are off until tomorrow night, when they head to New Jersey to take on the Devils. I start finals at school today. With all that, hockey news is a nice escape and time-filler for me today. Hopefully it is for you, too. Here’s today’s Skate:
**After struggling to find a consistent spot in Joel Quenneville’s lineup, Jeremy Morin has reportedly told the Blackhawks he wants to play, or be traded. (Chicago Sun Times)
**After a big weekend, Brandon Saad seems to be finding his groove again. The ‘Hawks knew he had it in him all along. (CSN Chicago)
**Patrick Sharp is likely to return to the lineup tomorrow night against New Jersey. (Sun Times)
**Prospective Arizona Coyotes majority owner Andrew Barroway may be backing out of the deal. The team has reportedly been told to shed payroll, even though they are already the league’s third-lowest payroll. (Puck Daddy)
**Speaking of the Coyotes, they traded former Blackhawks farmhand Rob Klinkhammer to the Pittsburgh Penguins on firday i exchange for defensemean Philip Smauelsson. (Penguins)
**After struggling through many injuries and surgeries, Minnesota wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom is back and battling for his old spot as the team’s #1 goalie. (Pro Hockey Talk)
**Oilers GM Craig MacTavish spoke to the media on Friday regarding the team’s struggles to start the year. Edmonton snapped an 11-game losing streak last night against the Sharks. (PHT)
**Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider thinks that his team can still make the playoffs this season despite their lackluster start to the year. (PHT)