Jonathan Toews went up and down the ice with skating and skills development coach Kevin Delaney on Friday afternoon. The Blackhawks captain went pretty hard at moments, then cooled down before heading off the ice for the day.
It was the fourth consecutive day Toews has skated. And while it again seems encouraging, theres still no true timeline for when hell return.
Well wait and see, coach Joel Quenneville said during Toews skate with Delaney. You get him on the ice consecutive days you have a little bit more hope. But its tough to target a date.
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Meanwhile, defenseman Steve Montador (concussion) practiced with the Blackhawks on Friday. Montador has skated for quite a bit nowoutside of yesterday, which was a team day offand said today he feels as good as he has since he was injured. Montador would love to be back for a few of these regular-season games before the playoffs start.
Thats the best-case scenario for sure, he said. You can skate all you want and I felt great out there. But our game, especially at this time of year, is at a different pace. A couple more skates will help but I certainly want to get in some games before the end of the year.
Marcus Kruger, who left Wednesday nights game with an upper-body injury, also skated after Blackhawks practice today. Marian Hossa took the day off but is fine.