Blackhawks Defense Intact for First Time Since Early December Versus Stars

Seth Jones paired with rookie Alex Vlasic, who might make a suitable rookie All-Star substitute for the injured Connor Bedard.

With the return of top defenseman Seth Jones, the Chicago Blackhawks blueline corps was intact for the first time since early December as they hosted the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.

The 6-foot-4, 29-year-old Jones, who missed 15 games with a shoulder injury, was paired with 6-foot-6, 22-year-old rookie Alex Vlasic. 

"Seth is just getting back in there, but they played well together earlier in the season," coach Luke Richardson said. "Two big, rangy guys who can move the puck."

Jones has no goals on 60 shots, but 11 assists. He's averaged 25:25 of ice time per game, leading the Blackhawks and fourth in the NHL.

Vlasic, from north suburban Wilmette, Illinois, has averaged 20:37 of ice time, second on Chicago. He has one goal and nine assists and is a team-best plus-9 on a club that has allowed 59 more goals than it has scored.

Richardson hinted that either Vlasic, along with Saturday's starting goalie Petr Mrazek, might be a suitable substitute for injured rookie Connor Bedard at the NHL All-Star Game on Feb. 3 in Toronto.

Bedard is sidelined for six to eight weeks with a fractured jaw, suffered on an open ice hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in New Jersey on Jan. 5.

Also on defense for Chicago Saturday are veteran Connor Murphy, who started with newcomer Jaycob Megna. Smooth-skating rookie Kevin Korchinski and Nakita Zaitsev were paired.

Megna, also from Chicago's northern suburbs, has been reliable in five games since the Blackhawks claimed him on waivers from Seattle on Jan. 3.

Sitting out are 31-year-old Jarred Tinordi and rookie Isaak Phillips.

Richardson said he appreciated the rugged 6-foot-6 Tinordi's physical play, shot-blocking and grit. Against Dallas, he wanted to use a "couple of young guys" who are a "different type of player we need in the lineup right now."