A Mysterious Chicago Blackhawks defenseman was spotted on the ice during Saturday's practice
The Chicago Blackhawks have great news, as Alec Martinez was seenon the ice today. The first time since October 15th, when he suffered a groin injury.
Martinez has been traveling with the team since October 30th and wasn't scheduled to return anytime soon.
Martinez has been traveling with the Blackhawks during their current five-game road trip, but he's been ruled out for the final three matchups, which will take place Thursday in San Jose, Saturday in Los Angeles and Sunday in Anaheim. His earliest chance to return to action will be Nov. 6 against Detroit, and even if he isn't available against the Red Wings, it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action sometime in early-to-mid-November.
With news of him skating this could spell the end of Nolan Allan's time in the lineup, and the return of Isaak Phillips to the Rockford IceHogs.
This season the veteran, three-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman has only seen four games of action in a Blackhawks jersey.
He's only notched a point against the Calgary Flames, where played 22 shifts, with 18:59 time on ice. He's accumulated 15 blocks, and a =1 rating for his efforts.
The Blackhawks signed the veteran free agent to a one-year, $4.0 Million deal in an effort to bolster a shallow blueline that relied upon prospect depth last season.
With news of him skating during practice, could it mean that TJ Brodie has someone who can once again shelter him on the bottom pairing?
Arvid Soderblom could use some help in front of the goal and maybe, Martinez can be the answer as many Hawks aren't up to the call lately it seems.
