Veteran Forward Tyler Johnson Back For Blackhawks; Connor Bedard, Others Progressing

Veteran forward Tyler Johnson rejoined the Blackhawks in practice as a full participant on Monday in Chicago.

Coach Luke Richardson said the 33-year-old Johnson, out since New Year's Eve with a right foot injury, should be ready to play when the Blackhawks host Minnesota on Wednesday.

"He said that he felt good, so he's ready to go," Richardson said. "It'll be great. He can go anywhere in the lineup and help on both special teams if we need.

"He's got a good work ethic, veteran guy that's won a Stanley Cup, so really valuable to get him back."  See more in the following video.

Johnson has nine goals and four assists in 35 games. He used to score at a faster clip while with Tampa Bay, reaching 29 goals twice with the Lightning.

The Blackhawks have scored just 10 goals in regulation/overtime their last 10 games, going 2-8-0 in the stretch. They can use help around the net.

The remainder of depleted Chicago's skaters on IR, including NHL leading rookie scorer Connor Bedard, are further off from returning.

Bedard skated again on Monday in the "green jersey" no-contact group with forward Anthony Beauvillier, who has a brace on his injured left wrist and can't handle a puck yet. Beauvillier, acquired from Vancouver on Nov. 28 when Corey Perry was released, is "still probably a couple of weeks away," Richardson said.

Defenseman Connor Murphy (groin) skated on Sunday, but didn't on Monday. Richardson added forward Andreas Athanasiou (groin), out since Nov. 9.,may get back on the ice soon.

Bedard was on the ice early Monday, stayed out late again with fellow youngsters Kevin Korchinski, Lukas Reichel, and Philipp Kurashev.

The 18-year-old center had travelled to Toronto for light NHL All-Star activities, including as a guest passer at the skills competition.

"I think he's just feeling good that he got to participate in the All-Star game," Richardson said. "It was great to see him there. I know it wasn't full-fledged, but it was nice to see him there, mingling with the tops of the league." See more in the following video.

Richardson reiterated there's no change in the timeline for Bedard's return to full-contact practice and then games. That was projected at six-to-eight weeks after he suffered a broken jaw on Jan. 5 in New Jersey.

"He has a little ways to go," Richardson said. "He has to meet with the doctor weekly.

"I think the timeline for bones to heal is still not good enough for a game. It doesn't matter whether you're wearing a bubble (full facial protection) or not. The bubble can actually hit and it probably could do more damage in more situations then without it."

Center Jason Dickinson, who's tied with Bedard for the team lead in goals with 15, had Monday off as a maintenance day and will return to practice Tuesday. The 28-year-old center is used in shutdown roles and leads Chicago with a plus-8 rating.

Dickinson recently signed a two-year contract extension with Chicago.