Blackhawks rookie forward Artemi Panarin is expected to miss the first few preseason games due to an upper-body injury, according to Tracey Myers of Comcast Sportsnet.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said the injury wasn’t serious Monday, but he didn’t disclose how it happened. Panarin wasn’t limited in the team’s practices and scrimmages during the first three days of training camp Friday through Sunday at Notre Dame, according to an ESPN report. However, he did not play in the team’s scrimmage Monday at the United Center.
Panarin was signed to a two-year deal in May. He played in the KHL last season and was among the league’s top offensive players. Panarin netted 26 goals and dished out 36 assists in 54 games as a member of SKA St. Petersburg.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said his previous injuries may have “flared up.”
