The scuffling Chicago Blackhawks will skate without rookie defenseman Alex Vlasic against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.

The 6-foot-6 Vlasic will miss the game with an upper-body injury, coach Luke Richardson said. The 22-year-old D-man, a plus-5 and averaging 20:06 of ice time on the NHL's worst team, is out day-to-day. He was hurt in a 7-1 loss at Seattle on Thursday.

The Blackhawks already knew top defenseman Seth Jones (IR, shoulder) and rookie blueliner Kevin Korchinski (non roster following death in family), wouldn't be available for the game. See coach Luke Richardson in video.

The Hawks recalled D-man Wyatt Kaiser from AHL Rockford. The 21-year-old started the season with Chicago, but was sent down after 21 games after his performance and confidence slipped.

Petr Mrazek will start in goal for the Blackhawks, losers of three straight and seven of nine (2-6-1)

Forwards MacKenzie Entwistle (illness) and Colin Blackwell took the pregame skate, but weren't expected to play.