Chicago Blackhawks Injury Updates: Wednesday

Chicago Blackhawks' defensiveman Brent Seabrook skated with the team during practice on Wednesday morning, and is progressing well. According to coach Joel Quenneville, if Seabrook continues to feel better, he could play as early as Thursday night in Nashville.

Captain Jonathan Toews did not skate with the team on Wednesday; both Toews and Seabrook are suffering from concussion symptoms after each got banged up in last week’s game against Vancouver. Both are formally listed as “day-to-day,” but the two appear to be progressing at different rates.

Seabrook took a skate to the head, and re-entered the game a couple times before the Hawks shut him down in the third period of the Canucks game. Toews, however, got lit up by Willie Mitchell and staggered to the bench. He did not return to the ice after the hit, and was taken to the locker room soon after arriving on the bench.

The two have missed just two games, both home wins, against Nashville and Minnesota.

The other update from Hawks practice on Wednesday was the first appearance of Marian Hossa on the ice with the rest of the team. Hossa was held out of any contact drills, but the importance of him skating with the team before joining the Hawks in a game is critical.

Because of the injuries to Hossa, Toews and Seabrook, the Blackhawks have not yet had their complete roster on the ice together yet this season. The Hawks are still in first place, though, and should only be better once they have their three injured stars.

Hossa could return as early as mid-November from summer shoulder surgery. A timetable for Toews’ return has not been established.