Blackhawks News
Nazar Nearing Return For Blackhawks, Teravainen Still Banged Up
For the first time since getting injured on Dec. 20, Frank Nazar was on the ice along with the rest of his Blackhawks teammates for Saturday’s morning skate ahead of the matchup with the Boston Bruins.
Nazar, who’s missed the Blackhawks’ last 12 games with what’s suspected to be a broken jaw, was still wearing the grey non-contact sweater and a half-face shield on Saturday. He didn’t partake in line rushes, and he won’t play again versus the Bruins. But head coach Jeff Blashill is expecting him to be a full participant in Sunday’s practice session, which suggests he’s not too far away from his return.
“He’s going to work himself back in here, and the morning skate is a good start,” Blashill said. “We anticipate him practicing with us tomorrow… after that, we’ll see where the timeline goes. But he’s starting to work himself back into it, so that’s a good thing for sure.”
Blashill added that Nazar isn’t expected to be back for Monday’s meeting with Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets. The Hawks will have two days off in a row after that game before a back-to-back against the Carolina Hurricanes (Thursday) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Friday). Perhaps one of those two tilts later next week is when Nazar draws back into the lineup. He certainly appears to be getting close.
While Blashill offered a positive injury update on Nazar, he didn’t do the same regarding forward Teuvo Teravainen, who’s set to miss a second consecutive game on Saturday with an upper-body injury. It’s rather unfortunate that Teravainen won’t be able to suit up against the Bruins, as he was a member of the Hawks’ 2015 Stanley Cup championship roster that will be honored at the United Center.
“No, not more definitive,” Blashill said when asked if he has a clearer timeline yet for Teravainen’s return. “It’s still kind of wait and see. When I know more, I’ll let you know. But not more definitive.”
It hasn’t been the best season thus far for Teravainen, but the lack of speed in the Blackhawks’ lineup without him, in addition to Nazar, was noticeable in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. Hopefully, he’s not dealing with a potential long-term absence. Blashill hasn’t provided a transparent update on Teravainen’s status since he got injured on Monday.
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