Morning Chirps: Slaggert injury update, Vanacker scores in OHL season debut

It was a heck of a Sunday in Chicago as the Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs, and White Sox all won! Without looking it up, I can’t imagine that happens too often. The Blackhawks will have an off day today after back-to-back preseason wins. However, don’t be surprised if there are some more roster moves today. They will return to the ice tomorrow for two sessions: a full practice for the non-game group, and a morning skate for the players heading to the United Center to play the Detroit Red Wings.

Blackhawks Chirps

• There was a lot to be happy about in last night’s 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The top six looked great, including a hat trick from Frank Nazar and some under-the-radar plays by Tyler Bertuzzi. My Postgame Musings have all that, plus an update on injured defenseman Alex Vlasic.

• Speaking of injuries, forward Landon Slaggert will return to full practice this week and will play in at least one of next weekend’s games. He appears to be good to go for the regular season, where he’ll likely start on the shutdown line with Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev.

• Forward Dominic Toninato was placed on waivers on Sunday. He’ll be assigned to the Rockford IceHogs once he clears.

• Marek Vanacker scored in his season debut in the Ontario Hockey League on Saturday. His goal gave the Brantford Bulldogs a 5-1 lead, as they beat the Sudbury Wolves 7-2.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 29: Ray Timgren, John Miszuk, and Trent Yawney.

NHL Chirps

• The Colorado Avalanche will be getting a welcome addition to their blueline soon. Head coach Jared Bednar said Samuel Girard will start skating on his own in the coming days. He is not ready to be a full participant in practice due to a lower-body injury, but Bednar is hopeful the veteran defenseman will be ready for opening night.

• San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg returned to practice in a non-contact jersey. He missed the last few days of camp with an upper-body injury, but he appears to be good to go for the start of the regular season.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a four-year, $16 million contract extension. Nestor Quixtan wrote for Editor in Leaf that this could end up being the NHL’s best contract.

• Former Blackhawk John Quenneville is pursuing a coaching career now that his playing days are behind him. He has been named an assistant coach for the Binghampton Black Bears of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Everybody has to start somewhere.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 29: Walt Tkaczuk, Mike Pelyk, Dave Andreychuk, John Tucker, Rody Poeschek, Jon Sim, Wade Brookbank, Benoit Pouliot, Mark Fraser, Jordan Schroeder, and Kailer Yamamoto.