Igor Kravchuk`s sprained knee may not sideline him as long as the Blackhawks originally announced. The team`s estimate after Sunday`s 8-2 victory over Detroit that the defenseman would miss seven to 10 days was too long, coach Darryl Sutter said Monday.
”It`s just a mild sprain,” Sutter said. ”There`s a possibility he could play Thursday. He`s day-to-day.”
The Hawks` next game is Thursday against Philadelphia.
– Center Brent Sutter tested his foot strength Monday when he skated before the team practiced. He is coming back after breaking a bone in his foot, the result of a preseason injury.
More Top Picks Best Metal Floor Lamps Indoor
”It felt all right for the first time,” Sutter said. ”I`m supposed to skate two or three days by myself before having a full practice with the team.”
Darryl Sutter mentioned a few days ago his brother could improve quickly enough to debut Saturday in Boston. But the coach said Monday he wasn`t going to push his brother to play then and that he would return only when he felt ready.
– The Hawks had been getting Mondays off, since that fit well into their weekly schedule of games. But not this Monday. The Hawks didn`t deserve it, Sutter said.
”They didn`t have a day off because they are nowhere near where they should be to be successful,” the coach said. ”They have taken some steps against New Jersey and Detroit, but individually they have to get a lot better.”
– Sutter likes to watch either Ed Belfour or Jimmy Waite win. But he acknowledges Waite has a smoothness in goal Belfour can`t match.
”You can tell when Eddie`s on his game,” said Sutter. ”He`s battling and working. But Jimmy has a style all his own. He`s nice to watch when he`s on. He`s so fluid and stylish.”
Sutter said it`s hard to tell the difference between Waite and young Toronto goalie Felix Potvin, both Quebec natives. ”They try to emulate Patrick Roy,” Sutter said, alluding to the Montreal goalie. ”He was the French kids` idol coming up and they have the same habits, right down to their equipment.”