Blackhawks: Khaira prognosis 'excellent' following crushing check Tuesday

By the time Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira saw New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba, it was too late. The result was a huge hit that sent Khaira to the hospital.

Khaira was stretchered off the ice after he was leveled by Trouba in the second period of New York's 6-2 victory Tuesday night.

"Personally, I was pretty shaken," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "I'm not going to lie to you. Just glad to hear he's doing OK."

Blackhawks team physician Michael Terry said Wednesday Khaira should be fine.

"Khaira was released from Northwestern Hospital early this morning after extensive testing and returned home," Terry said in a statement. "Despite the significant injury, his prognosis is excellent, and we expect a full recovery. At this point, it is too early to put a timeline on return to play."

The Blackhakws said late Wednesday that Khaira has been placed on injured reserve (concussion protocol).

"It's a bad effect. I didn't feel too good and I know our player didn't feel too good, either," New York coach Gerard Gallant said after the game. "It's a part of hockey, it's a big hit, but I don't think it helped the game. To see a guy like that, it's hard to look at."

Khaira's head was down as he gathered in the puck, and he looked up right as Trouba appeared to drive his right shoulder into his chin. Khaira's head bounced hard off the ice, and there were no signs of movement from him as the Blackhawks and Rangers scuffled nearby.

A stretcher was wheeled onto the ice, and medical personnel worked on Khaira as each team looked on from the bench area. A handful of his teammates and the Rangers tapped the stretcher as Khaira was taken off.

• The Blackhawks Wednesday recalled forwards Mike Hardman and Philipp Kurashev from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League and assigned defensemen Wyatt Kalynuk and Ian Mitchell to Rockford. The Blackhawks have also activated forward MacKenzie Entwistle from injured reserve (left ankle) and assigned him to Rockford.

Hardman, 22, has played in 17 games this season with Chicago, posting two assists. Kurashev, 22, has five assists through 19 contests with the Blackhawks this year.