Blackhawks latest news and rumors, Luke Richardson fired? Isaak Phillips to Rockford and more

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Sam Walker
October 10, 2024 (12:33)

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Chicago Blackhawks notes, rumors and more addressed by Central Division reporter and Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson has faced controversy as of late and backlash from fans surrounding the organization for his lineup choices and roster moves, Thursday he spoke to the media for the first time since the teams first loss against Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday, October 8th.

Despite the backlash faced, Richardson is locked in for another three years until 2027 with the Blackhawks under a cap hit of $6 million a season.

Richardson has told the Blackhawks media that defensemen Wyatt Kaiser will be 'ready to return shortly', backing up that statement by revealing he will return to the lineup either late in the team's opening road trip or a few games after, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Suntimes

Kaiser was placed on injury reserve just a few days before the Blackhawks season-opening game, where they fell 2-5 to the Utah Hockey Club.

Blackhawks get lucky with the waiver wire working in their favor

The Chicago Blackhawks made a risky move with one of their highest highly-routed young guns on defense, Isaak Phillips, when they chose to send him down to the AHL. The send down to the AHL may seem beneficial, but the team risked putting him through the waiver process, meaning every other NHL team could've submitted a waiver claim for the young defensemen.

"We have guys coming back. Alec looks like he's ready to go after a few days of rest, and we have Kaiser skating full with no restrictions right now and he'll be coming back. So we're going to have to make some room on the roster if we do that. The timing of it is good; everybody is putting some players on. We definitely don't want to lose a big young defenseman like Isaak, but there has to be a decision somewhere in the organization and that's what it was this time."

Said Luke Richardson in his recent interview