Line Change
Cole scratched.
The sophomore comes out of the lineup with the blue line fully healthy. He has two assists through 10 games under coach Hitchcock.
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Chicago Blackhawks News
Kane w/ Toews, Stalberg
Kane moves up to the top line after playing center for most of the season. The former first overall pick has seven goals and 24 points in 25 games.
Line Change
Ken Hitchcock said Ian Cole will be paired with Alex Pietrangelo against #mnwild. Other D pairings to remain in tact. #stlblues
Cole moves up to the top pairing which means his minutes should increase. He has no points through two games but should provide a physical presence from the blue line.
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Ian Cole out tonight based on mornimg skate pairings...a little odd considering his recent play #Blues
Cole will draw out in favor of Kris Russell. The former 18th overall pick has no points through two games.
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Looks like Ian Cole will play tonight, skating with Roman Polak.
Cole gets a crack at the lineup in Ken Hitchcock's first game. He registered three assists over his first 12 games in the AHL.
Call up / Send down
Blues make it official: Ian Cole has been recalled from Peoria. #stlblues
Cole's promotion marks the first move of the Ken Hitchcock era. The former 18th overall pick has three assists through 13 games for the Peoria Rivermen.
Call up / Send down
Here is the audio from Barry Trotz's media scrum today, announcing that Ryan Ellis has been sent to Milwaukee and Kyle Wilson has been placed on waivers.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
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Trotz did not say, but defenseman Ryan Ellis may have played his best game of the preseason.
Ellis may have earned a roster spot with his play last night. The Freelton, ONT native scored 24 goals and 101 points in his final season with the Windsor Spitfires. If he stays on the team, look for him to help man the bottom pairing.
Kane was more than adequate in his first game at center under Joel Quenneville.
Sounds like Kane might stick at center. He scored 27 goals and 73 points in 73 games for the Blackhawks last season. Expect similar production this season even though he is still recovering from offseason surgery.
Two of the Chicago Blackhawks' most dynamic offensive players, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, will make their preseason debuts Wednesday night against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center.
Kane should easily be 100 percent by the beginning of the season, hopefully adding center to his fantasy hockey resume. Draft accordingly, gamers.
“I went to the doctor (Monday) and just another good day, kind of checked up and skated for the first time without the splint today, so things are moving pretty good right now,” said Kane, who still is working his way back from July left wrist surgery. “Don’t know if we’ll rush for Wednesday or not, but we’ll see.”
Interesting to see if the team "rushes" Kane back from his injury or continues to play it safe. Even more interesting is where he will play. Yesterday he practiced between wingers Andrew Brunette and Marian Hossa -- a troika of interest to say the least.
"We might try Kane at center," Quenneville said. "He's been playing center throughout scrimmages and practices now. We'll see."
Kane has played center most of his career, so the transition should be natural. He scored 27 goals and 73 points in 73 games for the Blackhawks last season. Expect similar production this season even though he is still recovering from offseason surgery.
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Trotz liked the improvements of defenseman Ryan Ellis last night: “Ellis was 100 times better than he was in game one,” Trotz said. “He didn’t turn the puck over like he did. His first game he was a turnover machine early, then he started stabilizing. I thought he played a pretty good game.”
With Roman Josi injured, Ellis has a good chance of making the team. The former 11th overall pick scored 24 goals and a resounding 100 points last season in the OHL. He could replace Cody Franson nicely on the bottom pairing.
As far as his surgically repaired wrist, it held up just fine in his first scrimmage during Blackhawks training camp.
Kane scored two goals and an assist in today's scrimmage which indicates he could probably play tomorrow, if he had to. However, the Blackhawks likely did not target his injured wrist -- a luxury he will not have in real games.
The winger will be limited as camp begins but still hopes to play in up to four of the Hawks' seven exhibitions. He says doctors have told him "for the start of the season, no question at all I'll be 100 percent."
Kane missing part of training camp and only a handful of exhibition games seems much better than all of training camp. Expect him to get going earlier in the year, and draft accordingly.
The winger will be limited as camp begins but still hopes to play in up to four of the Hawks' seven exhibitions. He says doctors have told him "for the start of the season, no question at all I'll be 100 percent."
Kane missing part of training camp and only a handful of exhibition games seems much better than all of training camp. Expect him to get going earlier in the year, and draft accordingly.
"We never have been an organization that will rush a guy and we like to say that they're ready when they're ready, and we'll let Ryan determine if he's ready or not."
With Francis Bouillon still injured and the departures of Cody Franson and Brett Lebda, there should be room for the blue-chipper Ellis. He will need to earn a spot over other prospects like Teemu Laaskso and Roman Josi in addition to outplaying vets like Tyler Sloan and Jack Hillen. Could be a very interesting sleeper pick in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said Monday he's "a little ahead of schedule" in his recovery from left wrist surgery and hopes to play in up to four of the team's preseason games.
Kane claims to be starting the regular season at full strength. If you take his word for it, feel free to draft him in the second or third round.
Patrick Kane says he's on pace to be ready for the start of the regular season as he recovers from wrist surgery last month.
Multiple reports indicate that the arbitration verdict is out and that Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators will receive $7.5 million for the upcoming 2011-12 season.
