Coach Quenneville is never against changing the lineup when the Chicago Blackhawks are struggling. The organization has been trying to find scoring from younger players like Nick Schmaltz, Tanner Kero and Tyler Motte, with little success. As a result, they made a somewhat unexpected move as well as an expected one.
The Blackhawks recalled Spencer Abbott from Rockford while sending Motte back and will activate Marian Hossa. In practice, Hossa took his normal spot on Jonathan Toews’ right wing while Abbott was put on the left.
The 28 year old minor league journeyman is receiving quite the opportunity to play with two future Hall of Famers. Abbott has earned a chance as he has proven he can score. He is currently tied for the team lead in points with the Rockford Ice Hogs but has only 5 minutes of NHL ice time. Those minutes came in October of 2013 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Before practice he had this to say, “I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. I can’t change anything. I’m an offensive guy, and I have to try to create scoring chances, shift in and shift out.”
While Abbott will be playing with the top line, we have to believe Abbott is playing on borrowed time. The organization is still taking looks at the much younger Schmaltz and Motte. Trade rumors are also swirling about the Blackhawks looking to acquire an established scorer before the trade deadline on February 28th.
#Blackhawks lines: Panarin-Anisimov-Kane, Abbott-Toews-Hossa, Hartman-Kero-Panik, Desjardins-Rasmussen-Hinostroza.
— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) January 4, 2017
