With the NHL getting back underway tomorrow night, the Chicago Blackhawks announced some roster changes on Thursday, December 26th. First, the team placed Brent Seabrook and Calvin de Haan on Long-Term Injury Reserve. Both Seabrook and de Haan had surgery on their right shoulders. Next, the team announced Seabrook will undergo hip surgery in 2020. Finally, the team announced Brandon Saad will be out of the lineup for three weeks with an ankle injury.
MEDICAL UPDATES:
• Saad (right ankle) out 3 weeks
• de Haan (right shoulder) & Seabrook (right shoulder) to both undergo surgery, miss remainder of 2019-20 season
• Seabrook also to undergo surgery on each hip in 2020
• de Haan, Seabrook placed on LTIR#Blackhawks— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 26, 2019
Brent Seabrook and Calvin de Haan Done For The Year
It has been a tough season, to say the least for Brent Seabrook. Ever since signing his new deal with the Blackhawks, Seabrook has not been the same player. Under head coach Jeremy Colliton this season, Seabrook has been a healthy scratch. Clearly there was something more to the fact than Seabrook had lost a step or two as a defenceman in the NHL. We now know why he has been struggling. Seabrook has been dealing with multiple injuries, that will finally be addressed. He will undergo surgery on Friday, December 27th to repair a right shoulder injury. Soon after in January of 2020, Seabrook is scheduled to have surgery on both hips.
There is a possibility he might not be ready for next season as well. The three-time Stanley Cup Champion has four points in 32 games this season. The veteran defenceman is averaging a career-low 18:09 minutes per game. Seabrook has four years remaining on the eight-year, $55 million contract he signed with the Blackhawks prior to the 2015-16 season.
De Haan will also undergo surgery on his right shoulder. Like Seabrook, de Haan will have to go under the knife on Friday, December 27th. This is the second surgery for de Haan on the same shoulder in less than a year. It took de Haan most of the 2019 off-season and preseason to rehab from the last surgery on his right shoulder. The Blackhawks announced he will go on long-term injury reserve and will miss the rest of the season. Through 29 games this season, de Haan has registered six points.
Brandon Saad Injured
The news gets even worse for the Blackhawks. Already with Seabrook and de Haan, the Blackhawks will be down Brandon Saad. Saad suffered an ankle injury against the Winnipeg Jets back on December 19th. The injured occurred when Saad was on the receiving end of a hard check from Jets defenceman Luca Sbisa. After the hit, Saad could not put any weight on his right leg. Shortly thereafter the team placed him on injured reserve. However, after missing the last two games, Saad will miss at least 10 more because of this ankle injury. In 36 games this season, Saad has 19 points (11 goals and eight assists).
Going Forward
The Blackhawks have not announced any calls up from the AHL to replace Seabrook or de Haan. Since the NHL is on holiday, look for those call ups to happen within the coming days. With Saad out of the lineup for three more weeks, look for John Quenneville to remain with the big club. There is a chance, he may get a shot at cracking the top line.
Main Photo:
