The Chicago Blackhawks opened up training camp on Friday as they prep for the upcoming 2018-19 NHL season. After a disappointing year in 2017-18, including missing the playoffs, the Blackhawks are hoping to turn things around quickly.
The Blackhawks will most likely start the season without key players after the team finally gave us an injury update. The organization provided these injury updates as camped kicked off on Friday:
- Corey Crawford is still dealing with concussion symptoms that have kept him out since December
- Connor Murphy out 2 months with a back injury
- Brent Seabrook out 1 week with an abdominal injury
- Gustav Forsling still recovering from wrist surgery
Although the secrecy surrounding Crawford’s status was extremely puzzling, It’s about time the Blackhawks were able to clear things up for us. For the time being it looks like Cam Ward will be the Blackhawks starting goalie at the beginning of the season. Crawford’s primary concern needs to be on fully recovering from his concussion.
Corey Crawford said that he suffered a concussion last year and is still suffering from some lingering symptoms.
Says he is feeling good now and is progressing. “I’m close, I’m really close.” #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/daAsEpCkTq
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 14, 2018
According to NHL.com writer Tracy Meyers, the Blackhawks are planning on being more transparent with injuries going forward. The Blackhawks are known for being vague when it comes to injuries. It will be nice to know exactly what injuries players are dealing with.
With Connor Murphy’s back injury and Gustav Forsling recovering from wrist surgery, there’s a good chance that 2017 first round pick Henri Jokiharju will get his shot with the Blackhawks early in the season.
Besides the news on the injury front, the Blackhawks still got underway with training camp. We even got a preview of what the lines could look like at the beginning of the year and it sure leaves something to be desired:
Early #Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Ejdsell-Anisimov-Sikura
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Kampf-Johnson-KahunKeith-Jokiharju
Manning-Rutta
Davidson-Gustafsson
Dahlstrom-Boqvist— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 14, 2018
The Blackhawks will be back on the ice Saturday to continue Training Camp in preparation for the new season.
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