Connor Murphy Activated Off IR, Dylan Strome Now In Concussion Protocol

On Monday morning the Blackhawks announced a few significant injury updates.

Veteran defenseman Connor Murphy was activated off IR.

Lucas Carlsson was placed on IR with a groin injury. The young defenseman is expected to miss at least two weeks.

And center Dylan Strome missed practice because he’s in concussion protocol.

37 thoughts on “Connor Murphy Activated Off IR, Dylan Strome Now In Concussion Protocol

  • February 22, 2021 at 12:33 pm
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    Hope both Strome and Carlsson are ok and injuries are not serious type.

  • February 22, 2021 at 12:35 pm
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    Hope that both are ok.

  • February 22, 2021 at 12:48 pm
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    Good to have Murphy back. Shame for Carlsson and strome. Hopefully neither are serious.

  • February 22, 2021 at 1:22 pm
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    With Murphy back and Carlson out, keeps group intact for playing 7 defensemen. I agree with many here that the experiment needs to end. So you got keith, dehaan, 16, Mitchell, beaudien, bovquist, murphy.So if you play 6, who sits? This does not include kalynuk. Bowery bak in rockford. He played his 1 game so next you see his name, it is on the Seattle expansion list. With strome out ( hope for no issues for his sake), who comes in? Johnson I hope and if they go to 12 forwards maybe Highmore sees the ice again.

  • February 22, 2021 at 2:23 pm
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    @sharpened. DeHaan. The guy is a -7.

    Go Mitchell-Keith
    Murphy-Beaudin
    Boqvist-Zadorov.

    That is a balanced pairing group with a defensive defenseman paired with an offensive defenseman. Just my thoughts.

  • February 22, 2021 at 3:12 pm
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    Unfortunately Zadorov continues to dress and play if you want to call it that. He’s a below average D man at best. Terrible and superfluous return on an asset like Saad.

  • February 22, 2021 at 3:18 pm
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    I think many of us commented that Strome was looking better this season until the last 6-7 games when his play noticeably regressed. And now he’s in concussion protocol. Seems possible, if not likely, the regression in play and the concussion are related. Pure speculation but it wouldn’t surprise me if Strome tried to play through it knowing he’s under the spotlight and finally had step away because trying to play through a concussion is the opposite of what he needs to do.

    Everything about this season is about building for the future. We don’t need Strome to come back until he can play at the improved level we saw earlier in the season – whether that takes a couple weeks or a couple months or ???

    With our top 3 centers out and with the withering schedule in March – we might just get back into the Owen Power derby.

  • February 22, 2021 at 3:26 pm
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    ER – my first thought was the same as yours regarding Strome hiding symptons

    Apparently he was concussed several games ago and the symptoms were ‘late – arriving’ or ‘late-acknowleding’ or a bit of both

    Hope he recovers fully and gets back to the improved play he showed earlier

  • February 22, 2021 at 3:32 pm
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    With all the players getting concussions why is there not a better helmet? The league needs to throw lots of cash into this issue.

  • February 22, 2021 at 4:17 pm
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    Earl
    Nothing helmet protect from a whiplash Except if you wear a helmet like in the Formula one …good luck playing hockey with those helmet …hahahah a…
    Really good news to get Murphy back with the kids
    How about Johnson and Kalynuk on the ice for next game .

  • February 22, 2021 at 4:54 pm
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    Wonder if Shaw is coming back anytime soon. He was on a morning show on channel 5 in Chicago on Friday. He seemed pretty lucid. The hosts are just a couple of lifestyle people, so they didn’t even ask him how he’s feeling.

  • February 22, 2021 at 5:16 pm
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    It’s his choice Biskit but I hope not.

  • February 22, 2021 at 5:31 pm
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    Yea should get more for Saad then that.

    7 Defensemen is fine until tradeline because it keeps the 6 that are here after tradeline in game shape/min keep playing.

    Can someone make a list of every Defensemen we got and size and OFF or DEF style and there strength and weaknesses.

    Even though I know a lot of the players havnt watched as much last couple yrs and this and for people who donot know.

  • February 22, 2021 at 5:39 pm
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    Earl, the refs should also call the boardings high hits-just because hey its the front of the net area cross checks. Call them and no BS when one team cheats more stop calling penaltys on them and onlhy call the team that played more clean just to even up penaltys. Total HS.

    Helmets to.

  • February 22, 2021 at 9:36 pm
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    Maybe Kurashev can slide back to center while Strome is out.

  • February 22, 2021 at 10:26 pm
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    @morrison.

    Here you go.

    Keith…LHD….6’1″…..192….all around solid defenseman.

    Seabrook…RHD…6’3″….220…..same as above.

    Murphy….RHD…6’4″….212… Physical and a bit better than average offensively.

    deHaan…LHD…6’1″….195….lost his edge after all those surgeries. Not as physical anymore.

    Zadorov….LHD…6’6″ …225… Still too early on him with new system and switching sides with Beaudin a lot.

    Beaudin….LHD….5’11″…..168…. Again too early to tell switching with Zadorov a lot but plays a good defensive games most times with better than average offensive ability.

    Mitchell….RHD….5’11″….173…. Keep him away from deHaan. Start of year with him he was a -8 then with Boqvist was paired with Keith and got even. Boqvist came back and back to -2. His skills are basically the same as Beaudin.

    Boqvist…RHD….5’11″….179….kid can fly and has great offensive ability but watching him play defense is so bad it makes my eyes bleed. It’s like watching Kane play defense. Hopefully he works out the kinks.

    Carlsson….LHD…6’0″…..190….. Hidden gem and read my posts about him. There’s plenty of them.

    Kalynuk….LHD….6’1″….180….no camps this year so haven’t really seen him play.

    Bowey….RHD….6’2″……202…. Looked good defensively the 1 game he played and would like to see more but doubt it.

    I like Mitchell with Keith they play better together than Keith Boqvist.

    Murphy with Beaudin is also a nice balanced pairing and can teach this kid.

    Boqvist with Zadorov cuz JC won’t pair him with Carlsson nor put Carlsson with Murphy on the 2nd pairing.

    deHaan plays like he’s protecting his shoulder and I get it but it’s taking ice time from those trying to develop.

    Carlsson though is my boy. Don’t like how JC plays him but I understand. He can plug this kid anywhere on defense and he will play defense.

    Feel free to opine on these thoughts.

  • February 22, 2021 at 10:37 pm
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    Fudge….. politics..Putin trying hard to get Panarin back In Russia to put him in jail for something he supposedly did in 2011 ??
    Rangers will let him take a break , Panarin made comment about Supporting Navalny
    Poor kid is all disturb knowing Putin is trying to get him back in Russia
    Too bad
    So Rangers will get another good draft pick without Panarin .

  • February 22, 2021 at 10:59 pm
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    Nameless,So Boqvist can fly when he carries the puck but he becomes a glacier when it comes to getting back on Defense or tracking down the puck.I have to admit that I will keep my eyes open for him actually outskating anyone.At this point I see Mitchell as being much harder on the puck than Beaudin and he makes better decisions under forechecking pressure.

  • February 23, 2021 at 12:36 am
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    I saw Kalynuk play in a couple of games while at Wisconsin.I am really looking forward to him making his NHL debut.I think he and Mitchell will become an outstanding duo by 2022.

  • February 23, 2021 at 12:56 am
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    @morrison..here’s a quick snapshot of some of the younger blueliners that are a few years away still..
    Alex Vlasic 6’6” 200 pounds..left handed..19 years old..
    Regula: 6’4” 210 pounds..right handed..20 years old..
    Cole Moberg 6’3” 190 pounds..right handed..20 years old..
    Michael Krutil 6’3′ 205 pounds..right handed..18 years old..
    Isaak Philips 6’3” 195 pounds..left handed..19 years old..
    Louis Crevier 6’8” 215 pounds..right handed..19 years old
    Slava Denim 6’2” 190 pounds..left handed..20 years old
    Laavainen 6’2” 200 pounds..right handed..22 years old

    I left out Galvas and Kaiser(although Kaiser really looks good this year) since I wanted to illustrate what appears to be an interesting shift in draft philosophy by the Hawks. Over the past few drafts, it seems that they’ve made a concentrated effort to draft more size for the blueline..I think Stan, rightly, realized that your blueline can only have so many puckmovers at once..you still need a few guys who can take the body, deliver some punishment along the boards, in corners,etc..now granted, out of these 8 names, Hawks fans should be ecstatic if even two end up being long term contributors to the blueline..but it’s an interesting shift and a recognition that our blueline was feeling a little on the light side..

    What I also find interesting is that for a period of years, it seemed like the Hawks were trying to find the next Hammer..I remember the front office being pretty high on players like Robin Norell and Klas Dhalbeck and of course, the Gustav Forsling trade..but now, it seems like they’re just looking for high floor defensemen once they’re out of the first round, no matter if it’s the middle of the draft or late, what region they’re from, whether they’re going to college for a few years, etc..time will tell if this new approach works, but the early returns are promising..the Hawks still need the number one stud but either way, they may be able to field one of the best 2-6 defensemen in the league in a few years..

    Power(hey, stranger things have happened) or Werenski-Mitchell
    Vlasic-Boqvist
    Beaudin-Regula
    Kalynuk
    Kaiser

  • February 23, 2021 at 8:53 am
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    Slayer good breakdown, just to mention Krys playing top pairing with in Rfd this season showing improvement. Being paired with Cody Franson, who very possibly may be coaching in Rfd next season, will help his development alot as well. Also Lindholm in Rfd too, a rfa and being strictly depth, may or may not get another contract.

    Righties Moberg and Laavainen along with lefties Galvas and Ess will be fas this summer if not signed. Galvas and Moberg best odds to get an elc,

  • February 23, 2021 at 9:00 am
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    @Tim W. I agree about Mitchell and why I had him paired with Keith on the top line. Also why I pointed out how Mitchell when paired with deHaan to start the season was a -8 until Boqvist got Covid and he was moved up and played with Keith. After a few games it was erased and he was 0 on the +/- that is a major improvement just by playing with a different partner.

    If you look at how I paired the D lines it’s balanced. Keith is still more defensively sound over Mitchell where Mitchell has the edge offensively. Murphy is still defensively more sound over Beaudin where Beaudin has the offensive edge. You can put deHaan or Zadorov or Carlsson with Boqvist for the 3rd pairing because JC is not going to sit Boqvist as he is a RHD where the other 3 are LHD. All 3 are more defensively sound than Boqvist who is head over heels better offensively than those 3. I only put deHaan and Zadorov over Carlsson just because of their NHL experience not because they are better than Carlsson but he is still learning.

    @Slayer. The prospects are bigger and I’d prefer they develop on the farms. What is here now is gonna be a very good group with a very good group of prospects. Stan doesn’t need to go sign D men just develop what’s here. It’s probably why Stan has just let these kids learn by fire because it’s the only course of action and keeping the cap low. I love it! If you’re gonna blow it up blow it up and put the players JC needs for his system to work in there. There are 4 friggin rookies playing on D and I think that is forgotten here. Who the hell puts 4 rookies on D and expects better than what their record is?

    Logic will tell most people that’s insane but here we are. Next year? It may just be 2 vets Keith and Murphy with 4 sophomores. But I think it’ll work out well.

  • February 23, 2021 at 9:28 am
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    Hawks need to get 6 pts in the next 4 games ….let start tonight with a 4-3 win …regulation time …Hope to see Johnson on the ice tonight
    Go young Hawks Go

  • February 23, 2021 at 9:52 am
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    Nameless good breakdown on blueline too, sorry forgot to say earlier, agree that next year Mitchell, Murphy and Boqvist are rightside guys. On left Keith and Beaudin will be 2 spots, with Zadorov and Carlsson who slot in both sides gives nice depth if needed. Kalynuk still waiver exempt can be used as call up when time comes and allow more time to make proper decisions on who stays is my thoughts. Seabrook and Dehaan for diferent reasons i don’t see as part of roster. Bowey and Krys under contract too provide depth behind Kalynuk to start year, with Regula developing in Rfd. and a possible call up 2nd half of season.

  • February 23, 2021 at 10:14 am
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    I suspect Carlsson will be a Kraken next year

  • February 23, 2021 at 10:44 am
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    @Ian. I’m Jacked about the future of the defense. Young fast and balanced offensively and defensively. Love that they just blew it up and didn’t spend the money to sign overpriced vets. Let the kids play!

    @ Wraparound. Seattle would be stupid not to grab this 23 year old developed D man. But fingers crossed they are stupid. But if it gives him a chance at the NHL roster full time I’m all for it.

    Now dejevu is creeping in. A long time ago in a galaxy far far away I happened to meet Doug Crossman at a bar watching the SCF’s and we became friends. Back in the very early 80’s most people never recognized a player and there wasn’t any social media around and a lot of players were young like my age and from Canada and clueless about Chicago. I became the bar tour guide for them that included Troy Murray, Billy Gardner, Dave Feamster, Tim Higgins etc… But was closest to Crossman. After going to Gunzo’s and getting a Crossman Jersey made they trade him to Philly for Behn Wilson. I’ve held off on getting a Carlsson retro jersey or any jersey till I know for sure he stays. For now I’ll just wear the Carlsson long sleeve T I have.

  • February 23, 2021 at 11:03 am
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    Wrap very possible and mentioned it too, hope not but as mentioned be a good move by Seattle.

    Nameless, agree that there is a ton of potential in Nhl and coming up in system on the blueline. Establishing a top pair beyond Keith is a must goal for next year though. Vlassic playing top pair and having a strong season at BU is somebody who has top 4 potential in next few years. Last Octobers draft showing alot of promise too, might see 1 or 2 of them down the road.

  • February 23, 2021 at 12:33 pm
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    Speaking of being stoked … just read Powers piece in TheAthletic on Lukas Reichel and I’m stoked!!! Powers dissected a bunch of his shifts in the last game, including some video clips. He spoke to the Eisbaren coach and his coach raved about him and the progress he made since last season when he played in the league as a 17 year old. He spoke about his 200′ game, his quickness and speed, hockey IQ, his vision and passing, his skating that he uses on the forecheck – basically his all around game and that he plays the right way – no cheating. When asked if he thought Reichel could play in the NHL next season he couched his answer a bit by saying if you want a Patty Kane – he’s not there yet, but he believes he could handle the speed of the game and with his hockey IQ and all around game he thinks he would be ready next season.

    Get stoked … I did.

  • February 23, 2021 at 12:54 pm
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    ER – was just going to post on same topic having just read same article
    There was a clear implication from Powers that Reichel might be ready next year for the NHL

    Even if it’s later in the year after sometime at RKF that is exciting and the news of his progress and 200′ game also exciting

    If we can speculate that at some point next year he joins the Hawks then it focuses the competition for top 9 spots

    I probably shouldn’t get too far ahead of myself but why not? it’s fun

    So assuming Reichel plays in CHI at some point next year and stays then IMO somebody is going to be traded – in my mind that’s either Strome or Nylander but a year from now things could look different

    There are 5 players assuming Toews and Dach are healthy who will be in top 9 for sure – Toews, Dach, Kane, DCat and Kubalik and if Reichel plays then add him to those players to make 6

    That leaves Strome, Nylander, Suter and Kurashev and possibly Hagel to fight over the remaining 3 top 9 spots – Hagel can play 4th line obviously but the others aren’t really suited for 4th line although I suppose you could try it – Suter and Kurashev seem to be progressing well although that could change but we know Strome and Nylander both have to improve to earn a spot on this team as it improves

    With Reichel waiting in the wings it seems both Strome and Nylander have until TDL 2022 or summer 2022 to make their case to stay

  • February 23, 2021 at 1:24 pm
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    Wrap would add 2 real possibilities to that for top 9 next season,
    1) another gem is signed from Europe to compete for a roster spot
    2) Rfd may produce another 1 or 2 fwds to push for playing time

    If either/or becomes a reality some moves will need to be made sooner than later.

  • February 23, 2021 at 1:38 pm
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    I’ve seen a number of posts assuming Toews is back to normal next year. I sure hope that is reality but I’ve got to say it feels very strange that we are coming up on 2 months since the awful announcement and there hasn’t been one word from his camp. I am not a conspiracy theorist or one who traffics in fact free speculation but his availability next year is just a big unknown right now.

  • February 23, 2021 at 2:50 pm
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    The optimism level decreases for each “if” you count on working in your favor. A team with fewer questions/ifs usually comes closest to meeting optimistic expectations.

    The 2021/22 Hawks come right out of the gate with a couple big “ifs” – IF Toews comes back and IF he resumes the high level of play he had the last couple seasons. IF Dach is fully recovered enough to take faceoffs and IF the progression he had picks up where it left off. IF Nylander – IF Strome – IF the young D-men – IF Lankinen – IF Reichel – IF – IF – IF …

    There are a lot of IFs. But, most of them are a natural consequence of young players and a rebuild. So maybe not all of them turn out in our favor, but so long as many of them do we should be in good shape going into the second phase of the rebuild which will be to solidify the new core group and give them the game experiences they need to improve.

  • February 23, 2021 at 4:36 pm
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    Raptor !
    About Reichel, the kid is 18 and is at 170 pounds at 6 ft
    No rush to see him play in NHL or Rockford next Year he needs time to grow up physically it’s not like we need him badly. I am happy that he his having a little better year then last year so far .
    Wrap…I also think Carlson will be going to Seattle and I am not happy at all to see it might hapend . I am probably wrong but I would not protect Nylander and keep Carlson. Yess I know Nylander should get a longer look but I don’t like the way he plays most of the time. Looks lazy, Not focus, And not sure he like to play hockey, maybe bowling or Curling would be better for him.
    Maybe it was a mistake to trade for him And the Hawks thought it would be a good deal , so far I don’t see energy and I don’t see the warrior in this guy.

  • February 23, 2021 at 4:44 pm
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    Hawks2010 – I agree not to rush him, but if he’s ready, he’s ready. If he’s not ready then don’t rush him because (1) it wouldn’t be good for him, (2) the Hawks don’t need him next year because they aren’t going to competing for the Cup, and (3) forwards don’t need the 200+ NHL games to hit their stride like d-men do.

  • February 23, 2021 at 4:46 pm
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    MS when Crawford was out everybody saying he was never going play again, saying you were in denial if you believed he would, even though organization said they expected him to come back. Well he did, at the top of his game. Concern was raised by organization around Seabrook and i do expect that mean’s there is a good chance his playing days are over. However Bowman said Toews will be back when ready, not if, so i expect him back on the ice, just a matter of when.

  • February 23, 2021 at 5:02 pm
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    Ian – I thought SB had only said there was “no news”, so saying that he will be back when ready is very positive.

    Hawks2010 – I am very skeptical of the player weights that are published, even by the team. I remember reading an interview with Reichel after he was drafted where he said he put on 10 lbs and was now over 180. Same for Beaudin although the Hawks roster still lists him at 168.

  • February 23, 2021 at 7:16 pm
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    Thanks for the lists wanted since I donot know every prospect and havnt seen every games last 2.5 yrs did since we drafted 19 until recently.

    Not everyone knows so its good to have.

    Maybe consolidate the lists to have one.

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