The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Marian Hossa on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.
Chicago Blackhawks Place Marian Hossa on Injured Reserve
The #Blackhawks activate forward Artem Anisimov from injured reserve and place forward Marian Hossa on IR, retroactive to Dec. 20.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 27, 2016
Hossa sustained the injury early in a game against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 20. He left the game in the first period with what the team called an upper-body injury.
This injury comes at a crucial time for the Blackhawks. Hossa is currently one of the team’s offensive leaders, with 16 goals and 7 assists in 34 games this season.
Head oach Joel Quenneville expects Hossa to recover and return to the lineup very soon.
Quenneville says Hossa will be out for the first part of the upcoming road trip. #Blackhawks
— Eric Lear (@EricLear312) December 27, 2016
Filling the Gap
Although the injury is not expected to last very long, the Blackhawks will have to make do to maintain their success on the offensive front.
The team will have to rely on star wingers like Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane, as well as the likes of Richard Panik and other wingers to fill in for the loss of Hossa.
The Blackhawks currently sit first in the NHL’s Central Division with a 22-9-5 record on the season.
Artem Anisimov Activated by Blackhawks
The team had also activated center Artem Anisimov on Tuesday, the Blackhawks announced.
Anisimov was placed on injured reserve Thursday after he had sustained an upper-body injury during the Blackhawks victory in St. Louis on Dec. 17.
Anisimov currently has 14 goals and 13 assists in 32 games this season, mainly playing on a line alongside Kane and Panarin.
The Blackhawks face the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night in Chicago. Hossa is expected to miss his second consecutive game, while Anisimov is set to return to the lineup.
Main Photo.
