Morning Chirps: Nazar nearing return, Boisvert suspended

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action tonight as they welcome back one of the greatest players in franchise history. We will have full coverage of tonight’s game, starting with a preview after the morning skate and analysis after the final horn.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Frank Nazar was back in a red jersey on Sunday and was a full participant at practice. He will not play tonight against the Winnipeg Jets, but it certainly sounds like he could return Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Teuvo Teravainen was not at practice, and he will miss his third straight game tonight.

• Speaking of tonight’s game, a guy named Jonathan Toews will be in a Jets uniform. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.

• The Rockford IceHogs closed out their three-game weekend by beating the Chicago Wolves 6-5 in a shootout. Rem Pitlick was the hero of the day with two goals in regulation and the only goal in the shootout. Martin Misiak scored his third goal of the season, while Sam Rinzel, Ethan Del Mastro, and Samuel Savoie all recorded assists. Drew Commesso returned to action and made 26 saves in regulation and overtime before stopping all three shots in the shootout. The IceHogs are back in a playoff spot as their four-point weekend moved them up to fourth place in the Central Division. They will host the Texas Stars on Friday and the Wolves again on Saturday.

• The Chicago Bears brought in the big guns for last night’s playoff game, as Jim Cornelison sang the national anthem. As usual, he knocked it out of the park!

• Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert has been suspended for two games for fighting last Friday night. He will miss Boston University’s weekend series against John Mustard and Providence College.

• On this date in 1986, Denis Savard scored twice during a 6-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings to give him 200 career goals.

• In 1991, the Chicago Stadium hosted the NHL All-Star Game, and Wayne Messmer belted out one of the greatest versions of the Star Spangled Banner ever performed. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Vincent Dampousse was named the MVP for his four-goal performance, leading the Campbell Conference to an 11-5 victory over the Wales Conference. Wayne Gretzky scored his 11th All-Star Game goal to pass Gordie Howe for the most all-time.

• In 2013, the Blackhawks began their 48-game lockout-shortened season with a 5-2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. Marian Hossa scored two goals to lead the way, with Patrick Kane, Michael Frolik, and Toews chipping in.

• In 2020, Kane became the 10th U.S.-born player in league history to score 1,000 career points with an assist during the Blackhawks’ 5-2 victory against the Jets.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Jan. 19: Art Somers and Sylvain Cote.

NHL Chirps

• The Vegas Golden Knights did it again. Future be damned, if they have a player in mind that they feel can help them win right now, they go out and get him. On Sunday, the acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for Zach Whitecloud, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2027 conditional second-round pick, and defensive prospect Abram Wiebe. If Vegas wins the Stanley Cup this year, the second-round pick becomes a first-rounder in 2028. The Flames are retaining half of Andersson’s salary. That is a hefty price to pay for possibly just half a season, as Andersson is in the final year of his contract.

• The Vancouver Canucks are in selling mode. The Western Conference’s last-place team has already traded star defenseman Quinn Hughes and is rumored to have only begun. Blueliner Filip Hronek’s name has been floating around the rumor mill, but his agent, Allan Walsh, shut down any thought that his client wants out of Vancouver.

• The San Jose Sharks waived former Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy. Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey reports that the plan is to send the veteran to the American Hockey League if he clears waivers.

• Speaking of former Blackhawks, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reported that Kirby Dach could be activated from long-term injured reserve in time for the Montreal Canadiens game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

• Staying in Montreal, Canadiens star forward and Mosinee, WI native, Cole Caufield, lost a bet with TVA Sports reporter Renaud Lavoie that required him to wear a Walter Payton Chicago Bears jersey. He’s never looked better.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, Jan. 19: Busher Jackson, Ed Kea, Ian Laperriere, Mike Komisarek, Thomas Vanek, Johnny Boychuk, and Cutter Gauthier.