Brandon Saad News

Saad has missed the last 12 games with an ankle injury but will play tonight in Toronto. Saad, who will replace Dylan Sikura in the lineup, could be back on the top line with Jonathan Toews. He has just 11 goals and eight assists (19 points) in 36 games this season.

Saad was hurt in Winnipeg on December 19th and will be out until mid-January with an ankle injury. With Saad out, head coach Jeremy Colliton has already tried Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane together for a period of time, so that's something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Saad was forced to leave Thursday's game in Winnipeg after suffering an ankle injury on a hit by Luca Sbisa. With Saad out, Dylan Sikura will draw back into the Blackhawks lineup on Saturday.

Saad missed the morning skate and was listed as a game-time decision, but is not on the ice for warmups. Saad will sit out for a second straight game.

Saad was a late scratch from Saturday’s game in Philadelphia and his status for Monday’s game remains in question. Saad will not take part in the morning skate and his status will be determined later, making him a game-time decision.

Saad skated on Friday morning, but remains day-to-day and will miss his third consecutive game with an upper-body injury. With Saad out, David Clarkson will continue to play a larger role than normal.

Saad left midway through Friday’s win over the Oilers. Following Friday’s contest the Blue Jackets traveled to Philadelphia and Saad did not travel with the team. With Saad out, Rene Bourque is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday.

Saad will not travel to Washington for Friday’s game against the Capitals. Thankfully for the Blue Jackets, Ryan Johansen will return and replace Brandon Saad in the lineup. Monitor Saad’s status prior to Saturday’s game, at home vs. the Jets.

Saad missed this afternoon’s practice with an illness. His absence this morning suggests he could miss Friday’s contest, which would be unfortunate because the Blue Jackets will be getting Ryan Johansen back.

Saad, who has just one goal in the first nine games of the season, played just 15:08 on Tuesday and is skating on Chicago's fourth line with Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith this morning. It has been a rough start for the 22-year-old, who's value certainly takes a hit when he is not playing none of the Blackhawks premier players (Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa and Richards).

Saad served as a healthy scratch in Sunday's win over the Blues. Head coach Joel Quenneville called the scratch a "coach's decision". Saad has just one assist in his last nine games, so the Hawks were likely giving him the night off to recharge so he is ready to go come playoff time.