The Blackhawks will be without captain Jonathan Toews and defenseman Brent Seabrook when they take on the Nashville Predators on Saturday night at the United Center.
Toews was injured after taking a big open-ice check from Vancouver's Willie Mitchell on Wednesday night. The center left that game and missed practice Thursday and Friday with what is believed to be a concussion. Seabrook also left Wednesday's game in the third period with what is also believed to be a concussion.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Friday that both players "could play" against the Preds but neither was on the ice during the morning skate and won't see action.
"That's part of the protocal and process, " Quenneville said of the pair sitting out. "You evaluate them and see if they're ready to go and if they're ready they're going to be out there. We still see progess today [and] we'll go from there."
Jake Dowell was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League and will play on the fourth line. Andrew Ebbett, who was claimed off waivers earlier this week from Anaheim, will replace Toews at center on the top line.
"We have Ebbett move up and likely play center in that role," Quenneville said. "He did a real good job when getting that chance last year in Anaheim. It was a depth situaiton when we got him and all of a sudden we get to find out about him. It' s a good opportunity for him.
"Johnny takes up a lot of qualiry ice time, power play, penalty kill and regular shifts," Quenneville added. 'We'll share some of the responsibility across the board. Seabrooks has a lot of important minutes as well. That will be share by the back end across the board."
Quenneville said both Toews and Seabrook remain day-to-day and is "hopeful" they can return Monday night against the Minnesota Wild.
'We can't be worrying about who's not playing," winger Patrick Sharp said following the morning skate. "This is our team in this locker room right now and this is what we're going forward with."
Toews was injured after taking a big open-ice check from Vancouver's Willie Mitchell on Wednesday night. The center left that game and missed practice Thursday and Friday with what is believed to be a concussion. Seabrook also left Wednesday's game in the third period with what is also believed to be a concussion.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Friday that both players "could play" against the Preds but neither was on the ice during the morning skate and won't see action.
"That's part of the protocal and process, " Quenneville said of the pair sitting out. "You evaluate them and see if they're ready to go and if they're ready they're going to be out there. We still see progess today [and] we'll go from there."
Jake Dowell was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League and will play on the fourth line. Andrew Ebbett, who was claimed off waivers earlier this week from Anaheim, will replace Toews at center on the top line.
"We have Ebbett move up and likely play center in that role," Quenneville said. "He did a real good job when getting that chance last year in Anaheim. It was a depth situaiton when we got him and all of a sudden we get to find out about him. It' s a good opportunity for him.
"Johnny takes up a lot of qualiry ice time, power play, penalty kill and regular shifts," Quenneville added. 'We'll share some of the responsibility across the board. Seabrooks has a lot of important minutes as well. That will be share by the back end across the board."
Quenneville said both Toews and Seabrook remain day-to-day and is "hopeful" they can return Monday night against the Minnesota Wild.
'We can't be worrying about who's not playing," winger Patrick Sharp said following the morning skate. "This is our team in this locker room right now and this is what we're going forward with."
