The Chicago Blackhawks are expecting to get back Marian Hossa soon after the winger suffered a quad injury. The forward has been out for the last seven games, but coach Joel Quenneville said that Hossa has been making significant progress.
Quenneville said that Hossa has been able to skate with the team in practice, and that he could be back as soon as Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. Hossa sat out against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, and if he doesn't play on Sunday against Detroit, he could return Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Hossa was initially expected to be out for a "couple weeks" with the injury and was placed on injured reserve in February.
"He's close," Quenneville said. "After this road trip we expect him to consider the next game or so."
Hossa suffered the injury on Feb. 13 after taking a hip check from Hampus Lindholm against the Anaheim Ducks. The 37-year-old has been fairly productive for the Blackhawks this season, scoring 10 goals and recording 18 assists in 54 games played.
Hossa will be returning to a team that has a number of new additions since he last appeared in a game. The Blackhawks were one of the more active teams at the trade deadline, adding Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise, Thomas Fleishmann and Christian Ehrhoff in deals. When Hossa is healthy he likely will play on one of the top lines with Ladd for Chicago.
The Blackhawks have not suffered much with Hossa out of the lineup, as the team has won four of their last seven games. The team remains in first place in the Central Division standings, leading the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues by two points.
The Blackhawks have also been playing without Marcus Kruger, who has missed over 30 games while recovering from a dislocated left wrist. Quenneville said that Kruger is "expected" to be back in the lineup at some point before the season is over. Kruger has been on injured reserve for the Blackhawks, but the team may try and bring him back ahead of the playoffs.
Chicago is considered to be one of the Stanley Cup favorites in the league this season after making additions at the trade deadline. Getting Hossa back will give the team even more depth up front as the playoffs get closer. Hossa likely will not reach his point total of 61 from last season, but he can provide some extra scoring for the Blackhawks down the stretch.
