Morning Chirps: Bedard injury update, Reichel put on waivers

The Chicago Blackhawks are off today after two losses in 24 hours. We might get an official injury update from the team today, or we’ll have to wait until they return to the Fifth Third Arena tomorrow. Until then, today is a good day to put on a comfy sweatshirt, get under a blanket, and enjoy an extra cup of coffee while reading your Morning Chirps.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The biggest news of the day came just before puck drop when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had an update on Connor Bedard. The league’s top insider said Bedard had an MRI on his injured right shoulder, but they don’t have the full results yet. He added that the Blackhawks’ leading scorer will not go on the three-game road trip to Canada this week. Head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that report after the game. Whenever we get official word, we’ll pass it along to you.

• Saturday night started off with a great tribute to the old Chicago Stadium, with great names from years past. Then the puck dropped, and the Blackhawks looked lost without their top star. However, Nick Lardis made a nice first impression.

• After the game, I hung out with my pals at CHGO Blackhawks. We talked about the lackluster offense, Arvid Soderblom’s struggles, Lardis’ debut, and Jay and I shared our memories of the original Madhouse.

• Saturday, the Blackhawks were shut out by the Red Wings in the NHL, while the Rockford IceHogs were blanked 1-0 by their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. John Leonard’s shorthanded goal with one second left in the first period was the only goal of the night. Drew Commesso was the hard-luck loser with 25 saves. The Griffins have been an absolute wagon this season. They have won 10 games in a row and have tied the best start in league history with a 21-1-0-1 record, earning 43 out of a possible 46 points.

• Sacha Boisvert might have a chip on his shoulder after being snubbed by Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. He scored a goal in Boston University’s 4-3 win over Northeastern on Saturday. He has two goals and 11 points in 12 games this season.

• Jack Pridham had himself a big night with a hat trick to lead the Kitchener Rangers to a 5-4 shootout win against the Saginaw Spirit. He now has 17 goals and 34 points in 30 OHL games this season. If you remember, he was going to be Boisvert’s teammate in Boston, but decided to stay in juniors instead. The Rangers are sure glad he stuck around as they are in second place in the Western Conference.

• On this date in 1991, Jon Tonelli played his 1,000th career game as the Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers skated to a 1-1 tie. The Blackhawks were the fifth of his six career stops. He played over half his games for the New York Islanders and was a part of four straight Stanley Cup championships in the early ‘80s.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 14: Joe Cooper.

NHL Chirps

• Friedman also reported that Canada will announce its men’s Olympic roster on New Year's Eve. Friday’s injury pretty much means Bedard will be left off, especially if he is out for an extended period.

• The Vancouver Canucks placed Lukas Reichel on waivers with a non-roster status. His time in Vancouver appears to be over after about six weeks. He has one assist in 14 games and only nine shots on goal. He was given a chance to earn the second-line center spot when he arrived, but he couldn’t produce. Sounds familiar.

• Connor Hellebuyck made his return to the Winnipeg Jets’ crease last night, about a week ahead of schedule. His return gave the Jets the spark they’ve been looking for as they crushed the Washington Capitals 5-1, snapping their nine-game point streak. He made 24 saves to earn his ninth win of the season.

• Artemi Panarin scored his first career penalty shot goal last night in the New York Rangers’ come-from-behind victory over the Montreal Canadiens. They erased a 3-0 first-period deficit to win 5-4 in overtime. Panarin scored the first Rangers’ penalty shot goal against the Canadiens since Camille Henry in 1956.

• In that same game, Lane Hutson recorded two assists and passed the legendary Henri Richard for the most multi-assist games at age 21 or younger.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 14: Frank St. Marseille, Peter Sundstrom, Chris Dahlquist, Bill Ranford, Chris Therien, Mike Santorelli, Cory Conacher, Ivan Barbashev, and A.J. Greer.