Blackhawks' DeBrincat, Boqvist to miss at least 2 weeks
Forward Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Adam Boqvist will be out at least two weeks while in COVID-19 protocol, coach Jeremy Colliton said before the Blackhawks played at Nashville Tuesday.
That means they will miss at least seven games, and possibly more as they get back into game shape.
It's obviously a crushing blow to the Hawks, who are also without Jonathan Toews, Kirby Dach and Alex Nylander.
"We're not in a bubble, so it's hard," Colliton said. "It would've been naive to think it wouldn't touch us at some point, but we have to make the best of it."
DeBrincat (2G, 4A) was off to a nice start and appeared ready to put a disappointing 2019-20 campaign behind him. Boqvist, meanwhile, was struggling defensively but had 3 assists and - like DeBrincat - is a big reason why the power play was 8-for-19 in the first six games.
Matthew Highmore will slot in for DeBrincat, while Lucas Carlsson will make his season debut slotting in for Boqvist. Carlsson played six times at the end of last season, notching 1 assist.
"In this league, it's the next man up - whether it's injuries (or) COVID protocol or whatever it is," said forward Ryan Carpenter. "We have enough guys in here and enough depth for (someone) to step up. ... Those are two big, important pieces for us, but right now we're just focusing on whoever's coming in."
Last year, Boqvist accepted DeBrincat's offer to live in his basement and they continued that arrangement when this season began. We don't know if one, or both, tested positive for COVID or if they are in quarantine due to being a high-risk close contact of someone else who is positive.
With the Hawks having just played Sunday at the United Center, it's possible other players could also be affected. But if that's the case, one would think the league would also have them in the protocol and perhaps postpone the two games against Nashville.
Neither of those things have occurred, however.
"Across the league, we're understanding things are delicate and we've got to do everything we can to try to limit the spread," Colliton said. "If it does get inside your walls, do everything you can to stop it from spreading. But we're not going to know. It's day by day.
"Try to do the right things and then we'll get the testing done, the tests come in and we make a plan from there."
Subban to start: Malcolm Subban will start in net when the Blackhawks play at Nashville tonight. Subban has not played since starting the season opener at Tampa Bay.