Blackhawks News & Rumors: Teräväinen, Lardis & Mother’s Trip

The Chicago Blackhawks are embarking on a two-game road trip to face the Minnesota Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It has been over a month since the Blackhawks last went on a road trip that was two or more games, as they have had a long homestand in January.

A lot is happening during this trip. The team is on their mom’s trip, and there have been positive injury updates, which also mean additional roster moves. Furthermore, the Blackhawks continue to chase points in the Western Conference. Here is the latest from practice (Jan. 26).

Teräväinen Return Imminent

Teuvo Teräväinen has been dealing with an upper-body injury since Jan. 12 and has missed the last six games. But positive news is that his return is imminent. He was at practice today wearing a regular red jersey. Before, he had been wearing a gray jersey (non-contact). Now, it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility for him to return against the Wild on Jan. 27.

Head coach Jeff Blashill said about Teräväinen, “I anticipate that, but until tomorrow,
I’ll kind of reserve total judgment. But he’s definitely trending towards playing tomorrow.”

Considering the Blackhawks’ power play has been struggling, on a 0-for-17 skid in their last seven games, per Charlie Roumeliotis, they have really missed Teräväinen’s presence. Also, they have missed him in general. Power play aside, it’s no secret they’ve had struggles on offense. In their last seven games, they have had four games in which they scored only one goal (12 goals overall in that timespan).

With Teräväinen being such a strong playmaker, the veteran can help bring a boost.

Lardis Gets Sent to Rockford

As it goes in the NHL, when a player returns, one will be on the outside. The Blackhawks knew they would be in an upcoming roster jam, especially with a lot of emerging talent. And Blashill has never been a big fan of sitting young players for too long.

He talked about potentially sending players to the Rockford IceHogs on Jan. 21, saying, “You know, I think that’s a good thing, number one, to have tough roster decisions. Certainly, we are mindful of the long-term development of some of the young players. And so, you know, we’re trying to put guys in positions that they can succeed.

So if it gets to a point with a young guy that maybe [would] stop playing, you look at potentially using Rockford. But we’ll take that when it comes. We’re not there yet at all.”

On Jan. 26, the Blackhawks officially sent Nick Lardis back to Rockford. He was recalled on Dec. 13 after Connor Bedard suffered his shoulder injury, and Lardis showed great promise in 21 games, scoring five goals and adding seven points, including two points in his last three games.