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Dave Bolland raises his stick after being named No. 1 star of the game. (Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune / October 26, 2009) |
The Blackhawks suffered a significant blow on both ends of the ice after Dave Bolland underwent surgery on his back Tuesday that could sideline the versatile center for up to four months.
Bolland had been trying to play through the pain but missed three games this season, including the Hawks' last two, with the injury.
"It was something he was dealing with throughout most of last year," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I don't think he was comfortable at the start of (this season)."
Bolland, 23, has two goals and four assists in 13 games and is second among Hawks forwards in ice time, averaging 19 minutes 23 seconds per game. The fifth-year player also often drew the defensive assignment against opponents' top players and saw time on the power play and penalty killing units.
"Bolland is useful in so many ways," Quenneville said. "He gets a lot of quality minutes."
The "minimally invasive" surgery to repair a herniated disc was performed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital under the supervision of Blackhawks physician Michael Terry.
"He should be back in 12 to 16 weeks," Terry said.
The Hawks now must find a way to replace both Bolland's offense and defense. In his absence the last two games, Kris Versteeg was shifted from left wing to center. The Hawks' other centers are Jonathan Toews, John Madden and Colin Fraser. Wingers Patrick Sharp and Tomas Kopecky are veteran players who also could play in the middle, as can Andrew Ebbett.
The Hawks also could recall a player from Rockford of the American Hockey League or seek out a forward via trade or free agency. Bolland has a salary-cap hit of $3.375 million that would not count against the Hawks' payroll if he goes on long-term injured reserve.
General manager Stan Bowman, who is in Toronto for a general managers meeting, said the Hawks will try at first to fill the void with players on the current roster.
"At this point we're going to try to use the guys we have here," Bowman said. "We have some guys internally whether it's Sharp or Versteeg ... and Ebbett is even more pivotal because he can play center.
"We have some guys who deserve a chance to see how they can play. That's the approach for now, and we'll see how it works."
The fact that Marian Hossa is closing in on his Hawks debut following shoulder surgery is another factor that would ease the pain of losing Bolland.
Bowman said Hossa will come back during the Hawks' seven-game road trip that begins Nov. 19 in Calgary.
"It's just a matter of whether it's the beginning, middle or end," Bowman said. "We'll have a better feeling by next week."
ckuc@tribune.com
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Bolland had been trying to play through the pain but missed three games this season, including the Hawks' last two, with the injury.
"It was something he was dealing with throughout most of last year," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I don't think he was comfortable at the start of (this season)."
Bolland, 23, has two goals and four assists in 13 games and is second among Hawks forwards in ice time, averaging 19 minutes 23 seconds per game. The fifth-year player also often drew the defensive assignment against opponents' top players and saw time on the power play and penalty killing units.
"Bolland is useful in so many ways," Quenneville said. "He gets a lot of quality minutes."
The "minimally invasive" surgery to repair a herniated disc was performed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital under the supervision of Blackhawks physician Michael Terry.
"He should be back in 12 to 16 weeks," Terry said.
The Hawks now must find a way to replace both Bolland's offense and defense. In his absence the last two games, Kris Versteeg was shifted from left wing to center. The Hawks' other centers are Jonathan Toews, John Madden and Colin Fraser. Wingers Patrick Sharp and Tomas Kopecky are veteran players who also could play in the middle, as can Andrew Ebbett.
The Hawks also could recall a player from Rockford of the American Hockey League or seek out a forward via trade or free agency. Bolland has a salary-cap hit of $3.375 million that would not count against the Hawks' payroll if he goes on long-term injured reserve.
General manager Stan Bowman, who is in Toronto for a general managers meeting, said the Hawks will try at first to fill the void with players on the current roster.
"At this point we're going to try to use the guys we have here," Bowman said. "We have some guys internally whether it's Sharp or Versteeg ... and Ebbett is even more pivotal because he can play center.
"We have some guys who deserve a chance to see how they can play. That's the approach for now, and we'll see how it works."
The fact that Marian Hossa is closing in on his Hawks debut following shoulder surgery is another factor that would ease the pain of losing Bolland.
Bowman said Hossa will come back during the Hawks' seven-game road trip that begins Nov. 19 in Calgary.
"It's just a matter of whether it's the beginning, middle or end," Bowman said. "We'll have a better feeling by next week."
ckuc@tribune.com
Gorecki - please do not ever compare one of our hard-nosed play at all costs Blackhawks with a pansy S U X player. Blackhawk players deserve a lot more respect than that.
ja0911 (11/12/2009, 10:55 AM )