Hawk Shots: Blackhawks Place Khabibulin and Sharp on Injured Reserve

Sharp and Khabibulin Placed on Injured Reserved
The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they will be placing forward Patrick Sharp and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on injured reserved. 

It was not surprising that the Blackhawks placed recently injured forward Patrick Sharp on injured reserved as it was recently reported that Sharp would be out two to three weeks with a sprained knee.

The real surprise was seeing goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin's name included in the announcement. Khabibulin was expected to return from his lower body injury this week but he aggravated his injury during Monday's practice.

It looks as though the Blackhawks are trying to be careful with their number one goaltender and will need to rely Cristobal Huet to shoulder the load until Khabibulin is healthy enough to return.

Also make sure to keep your eye out for recently recalled goaltender Antti Niemi who could possibly get a start Saturday against the Dallas Stars or on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild.

Who Fills in for Patrick Sharp?
Now that Sharp has been placed on injured reserve the Blackhawks have an open forward spot. Currently the 'Hawks have Craig Adams taking up Sharp's forward spot but one would think that a player with more offensive upside should be call up from the Rockford Ice Hogs to fill in.

Names that have been thrown around are Jack Skille, Petri Kontiola, and Pascal Pelletier but I will give you and name only a few people have been talking about, Tim Brent.

Brent has been playing very well for the Ice Hogs this season with 40 points in 43 games with the Ice Hogs and would probably be a better fit for the Blackhawks in their current state than Petri Kontiola.

Although I do not know if Brent will get the call but with his recent play in the AHL and the Blackhawks need for a second/third line center position he would seem to be a perfect fit.The Month of Road Trips Continues
The Chicago Blackhawks continue what seems to be their month long road trip in Florida to take on the Florida Panthers. The Blackhawks are coming off of a great come back win against the Tampa Bay Lightning and look to carry that momentum as the visit the surprising Panthers.

The Panthers are coming off a huge win over the New Jersey Devils and have only two losses in the month of February. This will prove to be a big test for the Blackhawks as they look to keep their space between themselves and the Vancouver Canucks.

Bob Probert Heritage Night On Sunday
The Chicago Blackhawks will celebrate fan favorite tough guy Bob Probert on Sunday night as they take on the Minnesota Wild. The Windsor, ON native played 461 games with the Blackhawks from 1995 to 2001 and recorded 1,210 penalty minutes.

Although he did not record tons of points he was a tough guy that the Blackhawks faithful could identify with. Probert will drop the ceremonial first puck and will have a video montage that celebrated his time with the Blackhawks.