CALGARY, Alberta — Teuvo Teravainen won’t play in Friday’s game against the Calgary Flames as he deals with a minor upper-body injury suffered Wednesday night in Edmonton, according to Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.
“He’s OK,” Quenneville said following Thursday’s optional practice in Calgary. “He might miss a couple games here, but hopefully, that’s it.”
Andrew Desjardins, who has been a healthy scratch each of the past three games, is expected to return to the lineup in Teravainen’s absence. Desjardins is a team-worst minus-8 and has yet to register a point in 16 games.
When asked what he needed to see from Desjardins, Quenneville said: “I just think consistency in and around the puck, more puck possession, more influencing the puck, more directness in his play. [Be] hard to play against.”
Another left wing the Hawks would like to see more from is Bryan Bickell, who was demoted to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs earlier this month. So far, the move seems to be working. Bickell has four goals and four assists in five games with the IceHogs, already second on the team in scoring. Quenneville wouldn’t say if the Hawks are considering bringing Bickell up anytime soon, but he’s encouraged by the struggling veteran’s play.
“It’s something we talk about — how’s Bick doing?” Quenneville said. “The reports are great. I’m happy for him. Let’s hope he keeps doing it and we’ll see.”
Bickell’s confidence issues are well documented, and dominating in the AHL — even if it is against lesser competition — can only help.
“It certainly is going to help,” Quenneville said. “Commend him on having the right attitude when he went down there, doing everything he can to play the best he can play, knowing he wants to be in our league.”
Scott Darling will start in goal for the Hawks, with Corey Crawford likely playing Saturday night in Vancouver.
