Hawks' Connolly practices but doesn't address media on Kero hit
Brett Connolly practiced Tuesday but did not talk to the media about his open-ice hit on Tanner Kero that knocked out the Dallas Stars forward during the Blackhawks' 4-3 OT loss in Dallas on Saturday.
The hit came three minutes into the first period and earned Connolly a game misconduct penalty. The NHL suspended Connolly for four games Sunday.
Kero, who played for the Hawks from 2015-18, had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Connolly hit Kero in the Stars' defensive zone as the puck was sailing around the side boards. The league released a statement that said since Kero never touched the puck, he was not eligible to be hit.
Interim Hawks coach Derek King admitted that "when it's your own player you never agree on" the length of a suspension.
King does, however, understand the league has a tough job when making these decisions.
"Do they get it right all the time?" King asked. "I'm not sure. It's hard to tell.
"It's (Connolly's) first offense. Did he ease up? I'm not sure. I look at the video (and) it's hard to tell. I'm sure they're looking at it at better angles than I am.
"Hey, four games, you take it, you deal with it, you move on and that'll be it."
King admitted Connolly "was rattled" after seeing what happened to Kero, but added that "he seems a lot better" now.
Making progress: Jujhar Khaira took part in his first practice since being knocked out by the Rangers' Jacob Trouba Dec. 7 at the United Center. Although he remains in concussion protocol, Khaira was able to take part because it was a no-contact practice.
Captain Jonathan Toews was thrilled to see the forward back on the ice.
"He's a really special dude and great teammate," Toews said. "Your heart breaks when you see something like that happen to anybody. ...
"Jujhar's just a great teammate, a great player and a really good addition to our team. So it (stinks) to miss him and nice to see him feeling better. That's the No. 1 thing."
Slap shots: Calvin de Haan is the only Hawks player in COVID protocol. ... Alex DeBrincat is tied for seventh in the league with 17 goals. Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl (23) and Washington's Alex Ovechkin (22) lead the way. ... Seth Jones is tied for fifth among defensemen with 20 assists. The Rangers' Adam Fox leads with 26. ... The Hawks have just one player (Patrick Kane, 25) among the league's Top 50 in points. ... In games through Nov. 5, Marc-Andre Fleury ranked 48th out of 50 goalies in save percentage (.881) and goals against average (4.11). Since then, Fleury ranks ninth in save percentage (.933) and 10th in goals against average (2.13).