Blackhawks Star Steps Away From The NHL Due To Personal Reasons

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Hunter Bowman
November 16, 2023 (12:16)

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The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in a year of transition, with the recent drafting of Connor Bedard marking the beginning of their ascent from the league's lower ranks. Navigating this climb proves to be a gradual process, hindered by the constraints of the salary cap, preventing a quick fix.

This season, the Hawks have prioritized playing with integrity and accountability, emphasizing a commitment to doing things the right way. Strategically, they've leveraged their cap space to absorb unfavorable contracts from other teams, a tactic that brought Nikita Zaitsev to the Blackhawks from the Ottawa Senators.

Since joining, Zaitsev has proven to be a valuable asset, contributing a goal in the five games he's played this season while maintaining an average ice time of around 15 minutes per night. However, the Blackhawks recently announced Zaitsev's departure from the team due to a personal matter, placing him on the Non-Roster list.

The absence of Jarred Tinordi, already on IR for an oblique injury, adds to the team's defensive challenges. In response, Filip Roos has been called up from Rockford, joining Isaak Phillips on the NHL roster. The hope is for Zaitsev to swiftly resolve his personal matters and make a prompt return to the team.

Source: Bladeofsteel