NHL: Could the Chicago Blackhawks Flourish in the Wake of Marian Hossa's Injury?

No Chicago Blackhawk fan wants to see a big name like Marian Hossa go down with an injury.

The team announced that Hossa would miss time due to an upper-body injury sustained in Chicago's win over Los Angeles Wednesday night. Coach Joel Quenneville thinks they may be without Hossa's services for "a couple of weeks."

We all know injuries are part of hockey and the season will march on. Despite missing one of the league's top two-way players, the Blackhawks are capable of turning some lemons into lemonade. 

It's going to take a full-roster effort and then some, but here's what I think Hawks have going for them as they prepare for Edmonton sans Hossa.

The Return Of Brian Campbell

Campbell has been skating with the team since Tuesday and appears set for an early return next week, if not sometime this weekend. This should prove to be a shot in the arm for the team in general and the defense in particular. Campbell's return in the playoffs was a boost; it should be a shot in the arm now.

Teammates Who Can Step Up

This obviously would be a great time for some of the veterans to step up, especially in the goal-scoring department. Patrick Kane is more than capable of heating up and picking up the scoring slack. Guys like Troy Brouwer and Dave Bolland could also answer the bell and pick up their games while Hossa is out. 

Patrick Sharp pointed out that one guy shouldn't be saddled with the responsibility of replacing Hossa; everyone has to play his part. 

Talent From Rockford

Someone from Chicago's AHL franchise in Rockford will be making the trip down I-90 to fill out the roster. Jeremy Morin has missed time with the Icehogs and may not be available.  The nod could go to a young upstart like Kyle Beach, Evan Brophy or Brandon Pirri or NHL experienced players like Ryan Potulny or Jeff Taffe. 

Who comes up may depend on how Quenneville uses his other players. 

Bringing up a center like Brophy, Pirri or Potulny may allow Tomas Kopecky to slide back to the wing. A guy like Beach is a little wild, but may be the agitator need to spark some scoring. Taffe might provide flexibility since he can play center or wing.

The Goal Tending

I'll have to admit that I'm slowly beginning to sip the Turco Kool-Aid. Marty Turco manned up in a big way Wednesday night and refused to allow the Hawks to lose despite his team's inability to get the puck out of the defensive zone. If he keeps it up, it's huge for the Blackhawks over the next two or three weeks.

The Schedule

From this weekend through November 17th, the Blackhawks play just one division game (Nashville November 13th) and play the Oilers three times. They follow Edmonton Friday with the Wild, the Rangers, a struggling New Jersey team (2-7-1),  Chicago South...sorry, I mean Atlanta and the Oilers again.

You have to take it one game at a time in the NHL, but this doesn't appear to be the toughest stretch of the schedule. Hopefully we'll see Hossa return in time to take on the Predators.

I know I'm going to miss watching Hossa's game for the immediate future, but hopefully this unfortunate injury can kick-start us into November winning streak.