Morning Chirps: Big NHL injuries, Olympic ice concerns

The Chicago Blackhawks are getting a well-deserved day off today after a big blowout victory on national television. They will be back on the ice at the United Center Friday night when they go for three in a row against the Vancouver Canucks. Here’s another batch of victory Morning Chirps to start your day!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Yesterday morning, the Blackhawks announced that captain Nick Foligno is taking a brief leave of absence to be with his daughter while she undergoes heart surgery. He missed last night’s game, and there is no word on when he’ll return to action.

• How much fun was last night’s 8-3 blowout of the Blues? Relive the shellacking with my Postgame Musings.

• The Blackhawks are releasing the first episode of their new four-part docuseries “Always an Original” today. I got to see the first episode early, and every fan needs to check it out! It was really well done, offering a lot to learn, whether you're just starting to watch this season or have been a fan for decades.

• Speaking of Blackhawks history, on this date in 1990, Boston Bruins forward Jerry Toppazzini became the last non-goaltender to man the crease during a National Hockey League game. He played the final 30 seconds of a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks after starter Don Simmons was injured. He did not face a shot on goal.

• Three years later, Stan Mikita scored his fourth career hat trick to lead the Blackhawks to another 5-2 win over the Bruins.

• In 1971, Mikita lit the lamp twice to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory against the Minnesota North Stars. His two goals put him in elite company with his long-time teammate Bobby Hull as the only two Blackhawks to score 350 goals.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 16: Stew Adams, Frank Ashworth, Reg Kerr, and Joe Murphy.

NHL Chirps

• Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer revealed on Wednesday that captain Brady Tkachuk is getting a second opinion about needing surgery. He suffered a right-hand/wrist injury after being cross-checked by Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi. Head coach Travis Green told reporters on Tuesday that Tkachuk would be out for four weeks. If he does need surgery, the recovery time could be twice as long.

• New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom will be out of action for “a couple of weeks” with a lower-body injury. The team recalled Nico Daws to back up Jake Allen for the next few games.

• The injury bug keeps biting the Florida Panthers. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will be out for five months after undergoing surgery to repair a labral tear in his shoulder. The Panthers recalled defenseman Tobias Bjornfot to fill Kulikov’s roster spot.

• NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his concerns over the delays in the construction of the arena that will host the Winter Olympics hockey tournaments. Due to the delay in completion, the event to test the ice before the games will no longer be held.

• Former Blackhawks forward Tyler Motte has signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League.

• The Utah Mammoth has a new mascot. Meet the 6’5, Tusky!

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 16: Norm Ferguson, Steve Atkinson, Wilf Paiement, German Titov, Darius Kasparaitis, Paul Kariya, and Jay Beagle.