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Update emerges on injured Penguins forward Blake Lizotte at today's practice
Photo credit: Edit from The Hockey News
Injured Penguins forward Blake Lizotte was seen at the team's practice today sporting a regular contact jersey, which means he is very close to returning.
Blake Lizotte is practicing today in a yellow (contact) jersey after missing the past nine games with an undisclosed upper-body injury.
What this means for tomorrow's game vs. the Blackhawks
He has returned to the team for practice, though it's still unclear if he will be in the Penguins' lineup tomorrow against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks made a roster move ahead of their weekend of back-to-backs against the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins, recalling forward Landon Slaggert from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL on Saturday morning.
Slaggert, 23, has appeared in 10 NHL games this season, scoring one goal. In eight AHL games with Rockford, the 2020 third-round pick (79th overall) has four points (2G, 2A).
Both Slaggert and defenseman Sam Rinzel had been assigned to Rockford on Dec. 8. During his latest stint in the AHL, Slaggert recorded a point in three of five games before being called up.
The injury bug has really hit the Blackhawks hard
With Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar sidelined by injuries, the Blackhawks had roster spots available. Slaggert's recall may also suggest that captain Nick Foligno isn't ready to return from his hand injury, suffered Nov. 15.
Foligno practiced last week for the first time since the injury, but remains on injured reserve.
If Foligno isn't activated for Saturday's game against Dallas, Chicago will have just 12 healthy forwards for the weekend.
Slaggert's return could provide a 13th-forward option for depth as the Blackhawks also face the Penguins on Sunday, with puck drop set for 7 PM ET.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 99 ANSWERS Update emerges on injured Penguins forward Blake Lizotte at today's practice Will Blake Lizotte's return help the Penguins climb the standings? | ||
| Yes | 81 | 81.8 % |
| No | 18 | 18.2 % |
| List of polls | ||