Bowman, coach Jeremy Colliton, and a few Blackhawks players spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time in 92 days.
Thursday was quite an eventful day around the National Hockey League, especially for the Chicago Blackhawks. The morning kicked off with an announcement that the NHL and NHLPA have agreed upon an opening date of Friday, July 10, for formal training camps provided that medical and safety conditions allow and the parties have reached an agreement on resuming play. Another gigantic step in the right direction.
Later on in the afternoon, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman met with the media via video conference for the first time in nearly three months to discuss a variety of different topics. He began by thanking former president and CEO John McDonough for taking a chance on him and that he learned a lot from him over the years. McDonough, of course, was fired back on April 27 after 13 years with the team.
Bowman then went on to provide injury updates on the Blackhawks, who were one of the most banged-up teams before the 2019-20 regular season was paused on March 12. Both Adam Boqvist (concussion) and Drake Caggiula (hand) are fully healthy and ready to go once training camp opens in early July. Shutdown defenseman Calvin de Haan (shoulder) had surgery mid-way through the season, but Bowman stated he “would expect [de Haan] to be ready” for camp on July 11. As for Brent Seabrook (hips/shoulder), Andrew Shaw (concussion), and Zack Smith (back), their statuses remain to be determined.
“Obviously, Andrew Shaw, his injury is a little tougher to pinpoint with a concussion as far as the healing time on that, so I don’t have an update much on him,” Bowman said. “Zack Smith and Brent Seabrook, I don’t have a definite update on them yet other than they’re still progressing through their recovery. We should know more in the coming weeks on both of them.”
Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton joined the video conference later on and added “With the layoff, I think it benefits us” in the best-of-five play-in series vs. the Edmonton Oilers. Colliton also said he expects the playoff opportunity to “reenergize” the experienced veterans and that they will step up their game on the big stage.
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