Since the Chicago Blackhawks traded Jeremy Morin for Richard Panik, the Slovak hasn’t been able to properly join his new team. In fact, he was expected to be out until after the upcoming road trip due to his visa issues.
Those visa issues are finally settled, though, so that’s one point for Panik. Another is that Artem Anisimov, who took part in the morning skate but did not skate in warm ups, is a surprise scratch for the night due to illness. The Blackhawks therefore needed somebody to replace him in the lineup, and so, Panik is making his Chicago debut.
It’s worth noting that Panik is drawing in over Bryan Bickell, who is set to miss his second straight game as a healthy scratch.
To start, Teuvo Teravainen is taking Anisimov’s spot as center to Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane, while Panik is on a line with Phillip Danault and Andrew Desjardins.
Panik has played 151 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. Through those games, he’s scored 19 goals and 39 points.