Chicago Blackhawks News

Ellis underwent knee surgery in June and is expected to miss the first three months of the season, at the very least. This is a huge blow to the Predators’ talented blueline as Ellis is coming off of a career-highs in goals (16) and points (38). With Ellis sidelined, look for offseason acquisition Alexei Emelin to play a more prominent role and for Matt Irwin to see regular playing time.

Burakovsky has been sidelined since February 9th and will remain in Washington to skate while the team goes to California for a three-game trip. Monitor his status leading up to next Tuesday’s game vs. the Wild.

Ellis was hurt during the Predators’ loss in Montreal on Thursday and missed today’s morning skate. Ellis is listed as day-to-day and will come out of the lineup tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Anthony Bitetto will replace Ellis and is expected to skate with Yannick Weber.

Ellis scored a goal in 9:25 TOI before leaving last night’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Head coach Peter Laviolette did not have Ellis’ condition so consider him as day-to-day.

Pouliot has spent the majority of the year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he has registered five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 32 games this season. The 23-year-old had 14 points (2G / 12A) in 63 career NHL games and could be in the lineup on Wednesday because the Penguins are dealing with a multitude of injuries on the back-end.

Burakovsky has been sidelined by a hand injury since February 9th and was placed on IR on Thursday in order to recall Riley Barber from Hershey (AHL). Burakovsky is expected to be sidelined until mid-March.

Burakovsky suffered a hand injury while blocking a Brendan Smith shot last night and will miss at least one month as a result. Chandler Stephenson will replace Burakovsky on Saturday, but Jakub Vrana will likely be the long-term option because he is a nearly identical player to Burakovsky.

Burakovsky suffered a hand injury while blocking a Brendan Smith shot during the Capitals’ win over the Red Wings on Thursday. With Burakovsky out, Chandler Stephenson will draw into the lineup on Saturday.

Bertuzzi has been sidelined since November 26th, but recently resumed skating and will return to Grand Rapids to get some playing time. Bertuzzi has six points (3G / 3A) in 10 games with the Griffins this season.

Grzelcyk, 22, was a third round pick (85th overall) in 2012 and he could make his NHL debut tonight in Pittsburgh. Grzelcyk has one goal and 11 assists (12 points) in 25 games with Providence this season.

Ellis has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and Tuesday’s morning skate, so he should be back in the lineup tonight vs. St. Louis. Ellis will skate with Roman Josi and comes in with nine points (3G / 6A) in 19 games this season.