Morning Chirps: IceHogs can't complete sweep, Sid passes Mario

The Chicago Blackhawks will be back to work at the Fifth Third Arena. They will look to figure things out after a winless three-game road trip through eastern Canada. They are hosting the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game before the Christmas break. I’ll have all the updates for you directly from practice.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Head coach Jeff Blashill has a difficult task ahead of him: fielding a competitive lineup without Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. I offered which line combinations make the most sense, why it’s time to recall a defenseman from Rockford, and why it's time to give him an extended run in the NHL.

• Nestor Quixtan shared with us that one insider says Bedard’s Olympic hopes have not been dashed by his recent shoulder injury.

• The Rockford IceHogs couldn’t complete the weekend sweep of the Manitoba Moose, as the home team won Sunday’s rematch 4-1. Brett Seney scored his ninth goal of the season 23 seconds into the game, with Samuel Savoie recording the primary assist. Since moving up to the top line on Dec. 5, Savoie has four goals and six points in seven games. The IceHog won’t be back in action until Saturday night, when they host the Texas Stars.

• On this date in 1971, Bobby Hull scored the 28th and final hat trick of his career, leading the Blackhawks to a 4-1 win at the Oakland Golden Seals. At the time, this was the NHL record for most hat tricks. He has since fallen to tie for seventh place with Marcel Dionne. His son Brett is tied for fourth all-time with 33 hat tricks.

• Three years later, the Blackhawks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 at the Chicago Stadium. Tony Esposito tied Glenn Hall for the most shutouts in franchise history with 51. He is still the franchise leader with 74 shutouts, a record that should last for a very long time.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 22: Scott Darling

NHL Chirps

• Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux for the most points in the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history with 1.724.

• Per Frank Seravalli, defenseman Sam Dickinson of the San Jose Sharks and Seattle Kraken forward Berkly Catton will not be loaned to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship.

• Even though his name has been in trade rumors for weeks, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly is not open to being moved at this time. He does not have a no-trade clause, but he has an understanding with general manager Barry Trotz that he will not be traded without his permission.

• TSN’s Ryan Rishaug says Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry will miss a “few weeks” with his lower-body injury.

• Detroit Red Wings head coach Tod McCellan told reporters that Patrick Kane will not play again until after the Christmas break. He’s dealing with an upper-body injury he suffered against the Blackhawks on Dec. 13. Kane has missed 13 games this season due to two separate injuries.

• The New York Rangers will be without their captain, J.T. Miller, for multiple weeks. He suffered an upper-body injury on a reverse hit from Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler. The Rangers aren’t concerned that this injury will prevent Miller from playing for Team USA at the Winter Olympics.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 22: Ian Turnbull, Stefan Persson, Ron Greschner, Paul Fenton, Kirk Maltby, Stan Neckar, Travis Dermott, Nico Daws, and Danila Yurov.