Niklas Hjalmarsson News

Hjalmarsson has been suspended for the Blackhawks season opener.

Hjalmarsson was suspended for his hit on Blues’ forward Ty Rattie in Saturday’s preseason game. The hit was deemed a head check and will cost him the season opener. With Hjalmarsson suspended, look for one of the Blackhawks’ younger blueliners to get a crack during the season opener.

Niklas Hjalmarsson
Hjalmarsson did not skate this morning but coach Joel Quenneville reiterated that the defenseman is fine and playing in game 4.

Hjalmarsson has been off the ice for the past two days but Quenneville said he’s just resting. The defenseman has taken his shot-blocking lumps in the postseason, the most frightening when he caught a puck in the throat in Game 2 on Sunday. Hjalmarsson has been advised not to speak for some time but he has played through it.

Niklas Hjalmarsson