Morning Chirps: IceHogs bringing back popular forward, more injuries for Panthers

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action against the New York Islanders tonight, as there is a chance we could see at least one NHL debut. Be sure to check back in for a full game preview with all the information on who is in and who is out. Then hit us up after the game for the best analysis around. Until then, get caught up with your Morning Chirps.

Blackhawks Chirps

• With Anton Frondell joining the roster this week, Jeff Blashill all but said Ryan Greene is coming off the top line. I wrote why he’s taking the wrong guy off Connor Bedard’s wing.

• Speaking of Frondell, Nestor Quixtan filled us in on what one of the top insiders reported his role will be once he makes his NHL debut.

• Quixtan also wrote why the Blackhawks’ season is much better than the point standings tell, and most out-of-towners believe.

• If you can’t get enough Blackhawks content, make sure you’re signing up for our newsletter to get content that can’t be found anywhere on the website sent directly to your inbox!

• Speaking of more Blackhawks content, Frank Nova and I were back in the Second Balcony last night for even more chatter about your favorite hockey team.

• The Rockford IceHogs are bringing back forward Jamie Engelbert for another year. They signed the 25-year-old to a one-year AHL contract extension. He has eight goals and 25 points in 60 games for the IceHogs this season.

• On this date in 1990, Denis Savard became the third player in team history to score 350 goals by finding the back of the net during a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

• One year later, Steve Larmer recorded an assist in a 5-4 win over the Minnesota North Stars to become the third Blackhawk to register a 100-point season.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, March 24: Don McFadyen and P.A. Parenteau.

NHL Chirps

• The San Jose Sharks will be without forward Ryan Reaves for the foreseeable future. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky announced that the veteran enforcer is considered week-to-week after suffering an undisclosed injury against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

• The Red Wings reassigned defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka to the Grand Rapids Griffins. This will be the first AHL stint of the season for the young blueliner, who had been a healthy scratch since Justin Faulk was acquired at the trade deadline.

• At this rate, you and I will get some shifts with the Florida Panthers before the end of the season. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions announced that defensemen Niko Mikkola and Uvis Balinskis will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury and an undisclosed fracture, respectively.

• The Utah Mammoth signed Caleb Desnoyers to a three-year entry-level contract, starting next season. He is gearing up for the QMJHL playoffs with the top-seeded Moncton Wildcats. With the newly reported agreement between the CHL and NHL, he will be eligible to play in the AHL next season since he was selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, March 24: Pat Price, Doug Jarvis, Philippe Bocher, Ron Hainsey, Ty Smith, and Justin Sourdif.