Kris Versteeg Injury Update
Limited in practice since the end of the first round, forward Kris Versteeg is a day to day with a lower-body injury, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville revealed on Thursday afternoon. Versteeg did not skate with team’s top four lines during practices on Monday and Wednesday, and appears to be headed for the press box for Friday’s Game One against the Minnesota Wild.
Teuvo Teravainen has taken Versteeg’s place in practice on the Hawks’ third line with Patrick Sharp and Antoine Vermette.
Gives some solace to him sucking so bad lately. Either way, I’m glad to see TT get some playoff experience.
Right on John. TT could really benefit from this. He makes the fourth line more dangerous and commits to defense. I’m really interested to see how he does.
I don’t think TT plays on the fourth line, he will be on the 3rd. It has been too good (of a 4th line) with 65-16-11. Although in a way I could see Shaw the first player moved up. In reality we will probably see a lot of double shifting Kane, Shaw, and Sharp across lines.
The Ducks lit the lamp last night…
Peter i think you hit the nail on the head… while technically TT will be on the 3rd line… the blender will be active. 10 will probably get a shift or 2 with 19/81… 88 will get time with 10/80 and his normal shifts with 29/91. 65 will be on the PP and probably be the first “up” if bicks isnt carrying his weight or if TT isnt clicking…
Thank god is Gameday! While the Ducks did light it up, I was happy to see the caps steal one. anything to make those east series grind out is good…
Funny how “fans” even informed fans really have no clue as to a players “conditioning and health” and the NHL is so hush-hush for obvious reason as to who is hurt, or nursing an injury. It is a long long season and very physical and the injuries they all sustain are often minor but just enough to slow you down and make you pull back a little on contact. Not playing at 100% in any sport is close to not playing, it shows.
TnT will must be on the third line, he can NOT be on a line where he is the sole focus, he’ll get killed! Literally! His skill set must FIT in with a third line even higher and he MUST BE ON the SECOND LINE POWER PLAY. He needs skill around him and he’ll do great.
Tnt will be a good addition and his real value is Coach Q can insert him at anytime and anywhere he needs a spark and some skating and stick handling.
Many EXPERTS say Wild is great taking down and out and eliminating Big Tuff players like a Back-Us, but has a lot of problems with skilled players so Tnt could if the experts are right present some problems.
Ducks look like they are on a mission!
Wild is so confident coming in this first game will be a chess match!
Ducks look like they are on a mission while playing a terrible team that was held together with Scotch Tape.
Just being a skeptic – Steeger’s injury seems like curious timing.
I fear the Wild more than the Ducks..
The Wild PK in last game vs. Blues… really made the Blues look BAD!!! Especially on the Entries… which have been mostly bad all year for Hawk’s PP
I am really concerned about the Hawks PP vs. Wild!!!
MtM- I agree that TT needs to be on a PP unit… TT really understands – where and how fast to move the puck vs. Pressure
I agree. Curious timing indeed! Either way, he deserves to sit because he was playing like shit, injury or not.
Wondering if Steeger will ever be able to contribute to this team at a high level(or at least up to his potential). My biggest concerns are his lack on contributions on ANY special teams and his awful blue line turnovers. He has some nice hands and touch but some of his decision making is just brutal.
Now, this is the 2nd straight playoffs where his game has been subpar and now he is hurt. He still has 1 year @ 2.2 million. Unfortunately, every dollar will really matter next year. He’s not a guy that Hawks “need” next season.
Sharp, TT, and Vermette on your 3rd line. Its a good time to be a Hawks fan.
I feel like Calgary might be suffering from a spell of satisfaction. They have gone further than anybody thought they would, and they bested a division rival in the first round. Their game is based 100% on hard work and if they are content with how far they have come they are not going to last long, especially against a team like Anaheim that is desperate for some post season success.
@ Uncle Hoss
Calgary is over matched plain and simple, that don’t have the horses to play with the Ducks, They might be able to get a game or too, but unless Hiller plays perfect the rest of the way & the Flames play a perfect games their season will be ended by the Ducks.
How about the Caps winning in the dying seconds against the Rags. I picked Caps Bolts for the East final and Ducks/Hawks although I had the Hawks beating the pathetic Blues not the Wild to get there.
Re: Ducks – Calgary, the Flames are starting Bollig. Enough said.
Versteeg is addition by subtraction. It does sound like one of those “enough trying to play through the dings, you are injured, have a seat.” Of course it shouldn’t even take that much, his play warranted
It seems like it’s been a month since game 6 vs. Nashville. Ready to get things started again tonight. Let’s go Hawks!
Game Day finally… and it is a new series. The past means little once the puck drops tonight. Hawks have another gear that needs to be used to beat the Wild. It’s in there somewhere. Roll 4 lines and see what happens. I hope Timonen does not skate tonight, but I’m going to bring some antacids to the UC in case he does.
Lets Go Hawks!