Chicago Blackhawks: Wednesday's Moves Suggest a Return of the Big Guns

The Chicago Blackhawks may have some good news concerning the injury status of forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.

The 'Hawks fell to Nashville with two of their top scorers on the mend. It may not be long before both Toews and Sharp make their triumphant returns to the lineup.

On Wednesday, the organization sent Brandon Pirri and Ben Smith back to Rockford, leaving Chicago with two empty roster spots—spots that could likely be filled by the returning veterans after the All-Star break.

Pirri, called up in response to Toews' placement on injured reserve, is the move to watch. If management was not confident at least one or both injured players can be available when the team flies to Vancouver on January 30th, it's likely at least one rookie would have remained with the club.

The demotion of the little-used Smith may signal Sharp's readiness to get back to action. Pirri's assignment is hopefully a sign of Toews being able to come off the IR Sunday.

If this is the case, then the break will have arrived at a great time in terms of limiting the games the 'Hawks will have to play without two of their stars. Instead of missing four or five games after taking a slash against the Panthers, Toews may only miss a single contest.

If Sharp is able to make the trip out to Western Canada, the All-Star break will have given the 'Hawks at least three or four additional games than if his injury had occurred a week earlier.

It's true that the Blackhawks lost with both Sharp and Toews out of the lineup. However, Chicago has gone 5-2-1 in the eight games Sharp has missed. If the team can come out of the break with just one of their premier players back, it will be a boost going into the road trip.

If both Sharp and Toews are on the ice next week against the Canucks, the 'Hawks will have benefited from some excellent timing.