Jones to IR and Vlasic out with upper-body injuries. Korchinski still in Saskatoon following the death of his father, Larry, at age 59. Story updated. More to updates to come.
The Blackhawks were without their three busiest defensemen, based on average minutes played per game, in Saturday's practice in Chicago. Two won't be available on Sunday when the Hawks host the Vancouver Canucks.
Seth Jones was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury retroactive to Dec. 10 and Alex Vlasic was still sidelined with an upper-body injury. Rookie D-man Kevin Korchinski remains out indefinitely following the death of his father, 59-year-old Larry Korchinski, in their hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan last week.
Jones, who leads Chicago and is fourth in the NHL with 25:25 of ice time per game, was injured in the final minutes of a 4-2 loss to Washington last Sunday. Vlasic, a 22-year-old rookie who's second on the team with an average of 20:06 per contest, will be a game-time decision versus Vancouver.
The 29-year-old Jones hasn't scored this season — despite 60 shots on goal — but has 11 assists and is a legitimate anchor on the blue line. Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser, a 21-year-old who started the season in Chicago, was recalled from AHL Rockford to fill Jones' spot.
The 6-foot-6 Vlasic, a bright spot this season, has a team-leading plus-5 mark on a club that has scored 67 goals while allowing 105.
Korchinski At Home Following Father's Death
The Blackhawks were able to route their chartered jet to Saskatoon from Seattle on Friday to attend Larry Korchinski's funeral, then return to Chicago. Larry Korchinski, like Kevin played in the Western Hockey League. See link:https://saskatoonfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/5609/Larry-Korchinski/obituary.html
The 19-year-old Kevin Korchinksi was placed on non roster and left the team on Friday, Dec. 8. The fleet D-man is third on the team with 19:31 of ice time per game, and has two goals and five assists in 25 games.
Also Still Out...
Rugged veteran defenseman Jarred Tinordi, under concussion protocol, skated on his own on Saturday.
The 31-year-old had an oblique inujry earlier and has been limited to 12 games this season. Tinordi, the son of former NHLer Mark Tinordi, quietly contributed last season after Davidson plucked him off waivers from the New York Rangers.
Speedy forward Andreas Athanasiou, sidelined since Nov. 9 with a groin injury, is working in the gym but hasn't resumed skating. Signed to a two-year contract in June, the 29-year-old is one of only two current Blackhawks to have scored 20 more more goals last season.
Energy forward MacKenzie Entwistle has been out with an illness.