The Blackhawks announced in March of 2007 that the organization was moving its AHL affiliate from Norfolk, VA just up the road to Rockford, IL. GM Dale Tallon spoke of the ease in assessing the team’s many prospects and recalling players when needed. Little did anyone realize just how necessary the proximity would be, as injuries have created a makeshift Chicago lineup with nearly half of its players having spent time in Rockford.

Chicago has recalled seven players since December 26. To put that in perspective, the other four teams in the Central Division have combined to recall five players in that time. Six of the Blackhawks’ 18 skaters from Sunday night’s lineup against Detroit had played in Rockford – and that’s including a surprise IR activation by Martin Havlat.

Eight is Enough

Much of this past week was spent with eight players on Chicago’s IR list. Six of those players would fit in the Hawks’ top three forward lines or top two defensive pairings – meaning nearly half of the team’s top 13 skaters were sidelined with injuries. Injuries are an obstacle for every team in the NHL, but so many and for such a young team have left the Hawks reeling.

The latest injury, and arguably biggest blow, came against L.A. on New Year’s night when rookie sensation Jonathan Toews left with a sprained knee in the first period of a 9-2 shellacking. At the time of the injury, the game was tied 1-1 and the Hawks were in the middle of a solid first period. Since Toews went to the locker room, the team has been outscored 17-5 and has zero points to show for four games.

The good news in the longer term is that several prospects from Rockford have had the opportunity to get their feet wet in the NHL. With the call-up of 2005 first rounder Jack Skille on December 29, the Hawks had six of their last seven first-round picks in the lineup before Toews left with his knee injury (2002 first rounder Anton Babchuk was traded in 2005 and no longer plays in the NHL).

More good news is that all those on IR, but fourth-line center Kevyn Adams, hopefully should return around the All-Star break at the end of January. The bad news is that nine games remain before the All-Star break.

The Week Ahead

The Blackhawks received an unexpected lift with Havlat’s return from a groin injury on Sunday night. By no means did he look 100%, but then again, the team is at a point where simply having a player of Havlat’s caliber in the lineup is a bonus. However, if the Hawks are going to snap out of this now-prolonged slump, Havlat will need to fight through the pain and contribute on offense.

Veteran defenseman Brent Sopel is hopeful to return from a broken finger sometime this week. His calming influence to the defensive corps is necessary given the lackluster play of Danny Richmond and Magnus Johansson. Unfortunately, winger Jason Williams suffered a setback in rehabbing his groin injury, so his once imminent return is now unknown.

The Blackhawks remain 0-for-2008, so for the sake of morale as much as the standings, the Hawks need to scrape together some points in the upcoming four games this week. A key to any success will be to get off to better starts. In each of the four games last week, the Blackhawks found themselves behind by two or more goals during the first intermission, some of which falls on the shoulders of netminder Nikolai Khabibulin. Suspect goaltending doesn't mix well with injuries and a young, inexperienced lineup.