Another Chicago Blackhawks defenseman is on the shelf, as newcomer Caleb Jones will be out of the lineup for approximately six weeks with a left wrist strain, the team announced on Friday.
MEDICAL UPDATES: Defenseman Caleb Jones is expected to miss approximately six weeks (left wrist strain).
Forwards Jonathan Toews and Jujhar Khaira and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will not practice today (maintenance).
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 8, 2021
Jones joins Wyatt Kalynuk in the press box to start the season, as it was announced on Wednesday the second-year blueliner will miss 2–4 weeks with a right ankle sprain.
Jones was expected to make the 23-man roster to start the season as a depth defenseman. The 24-year-old Texas native and brother of fellow Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones is entering his fourth NHL season, having spent the first three years of his career with the Edmonton Oilers.
Jones was acquired in the offseason from the Oilers in the Duncan Keith trade.
The Blackhawks also announced the re-assignment of four players on Friday, as 2021 draft picks Nolan Allan and Colton Dach were returned to their respective junior teams, while Evan Barratt and Dmitri Osipov were assigned to the Rockford IceHogs.
With the four assignments, the Blackhawks’ training camp roster now stands at 32 players with 17 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goaltenders.
The Blackhawks will conclude preseason play on Saturday, hosting the Minnesota Wild at the United Center.