DETROITNiklas Hjalmarsson skated again on Saturday but will be out tomorrow when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon.
Jonathan Toews (concussion) is still progressing but coach Joel Quenneville said the captain will not join the Blackhawks on this road trip. Quenneville said Toews is still not skating, but were seeing progress and optimistic that hes going to be back.
Hjalmarsson (concussion) said he felt good, albeit tired, Saturday after going through the teams practiceassistant coach Mike Kitchen was working with him on conditioning.
It just feels good to be on the ice, he said. Obviously not playing is not the most fun part. But they have to get your conditioning back. Kitch is very good at getting you pretty tired out there, so Ive been through a couple of good skates here the last couple of days. I feel good and well take it from there.
The Blackhawks have been hit with one of the toughest injury bugsthe ones on which its so hard to put a timeline. But Quenneville said injuries are part of every season.
I think when we played concussions werent even an injury or probably werent diagnosed the same way. With history, time and more awareness to it were more familiar with how to treat them. Its something thats progressed in our game but thats part of it, he said. Youre always hit with injuries. Some teams are decimated by them but its something you go through. Were getting tested down the stretch without two key guys like Johnny and Hammer. Its a great test and we loved the response last night. It makes you a better team.
Meanwhile, Dave Bolland sported some stitches near his right eye after a run-in with Ottawas Jason Spezza on Friday night. Bolland wore a visor at Saturdays practice.
NHL
Well try that for a while and see how it goes, said Bolland of the visor. Its a little different when you have a shield in front of you. But its always safer.
Ray Emery will start against the Red Wings tomorrow.