Phillip Danault has worked at developing his two-way game and has often been compared to Marcus Kruger.
Now, with Kruger out for several months, Danault is being brought up to replace, at least for now, the fourth-line center.
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Danault was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs on Friday as the Blackhawks prepared for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. Danault played in two games with the Blackhawks last season. He underwent surgery on his left hip in mid-August and recent returned to the IceHogs’ lineup. He has two points (goal, assist) in six games with Rockford.
Kruger underwent successful surgery to repair the dislocated left wrist he sustained in the Blackhawks’ 4-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. It’s the first significant time Kruger has missed in his NHL career. Whether or not Danault is Kruger’s replacement that entire time is unknown, but the center will get a good opportunity.