Blackhawks Lose One to IR but Gain Another in Kurashev

The Chicago Blackhawks will be without him for more than a game this time. Taylor Hall was placed on the injured reserve list, retroactive to October 21, due to a shoulder injury.  In five games, Hall has two assists and was the first line wing to Connor Bedard, now opening up a chance for  Nick Foligno to take top line duties. Hall is listed as week-to-week.

The loss of Hall coincides with the return of Philipp Kurashev who is to make his season debut tonight against Boston. The winger suffered a wrist injury prior to the season opener and was stashed on the IR.

With Hall out, the Blackhawks plan on starting Foligno in his spot. The veteran has a goal and three points in his first six games and is tied for third on the team in points so far. The leader? None other than Corey Perry, who has five points (2-3) and has been doing most of his work in a bottom six role while spending time on the top power play unit with Bedard.

Foligno for now makes sense but the Blackhawks also have a number of other options should it not work as they hope. Ryan Donato started on the top line before being shuffled down, and another intriguing option could be Andreas Athanasiou, who would bring an element of speed.

One other? Lukas Reichel, who as written earlier today, might benefit from a shift in scenery going from a second line center to a first line wing. It was against Boston he had a pretty pass that sprung Bedard loose on a breakaway.

Though it didn’t result in a goal, it was a little clue that maybe a move–albeit a brief one–could get the young playmaker going.