The Blackhawks’ blue line took a hit on Day 5 of training camp as the list of absentees slowly starts to grow.
Connor Murphy and Olli Maatta, both of whom skated in the first three practice sessions, did not participate on Friday because they were ruled “unfit” to play, according to head coach Jeremy Colliton. The Blackhawks had a scheduled day off on Thursday.
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(A reminder that the NHL and NHL Players' Association mutually agreed on not disclosing such information in Phases 3 and 4 to protect the player's privacy, which is why teams are instructed to use the terminology "unfit" for players sidelined because of injury and/or medical-related reasons.)
Calvin de Haan also missed his third straight practice because of a family emergency, and it remains unclear when he could be back. Taxi squad members Nicolas Beaudin, Chad Krys and Nick Seeler skated in their place with the first group featuring the NHL regulars.
Corey Crawford, who has been sidelined since Day 1, did not participate again. On Friday morning, NBC Sports Chicago reported on the Blackhawks Talk Podcast that he could join the team for Phase 3 by early next week, if all goes well.
The Blackhawks won't divulge any details but haven’t shut the door on a potential Crawford return.
NHL
"For now, there's no change," Colliton said. "But certainly haven't ruled him out going forward."