Patrick Sharp Expected Back Next Week
By Chris Emma-
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The return of Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp won't come Friday against Montreal, but Chicago coach Joel Quenneville is optimistic he'll be back soon.
"Probably next week," Quenneville said of Sharp.
Sharp suffered an apparent knee injury exactly one month ago in Montreal when he was hit along the boards. He stayed behind in Chicago during the Blackhawks' circus trip and worked with trainers. Sharp finally returned to practice Tuesday and has shown signs of progress.
The Blackhawks head to the East Coast next Tuesday for a three-game stand, beginning in New Jersey. It's expected that Sharp will return to action then.
In another roster move, the Blackhawks called up 23-year-old defenseman Klas Dahlbeck late Wednesday, sending Adam Clendening to the AHL's Rockford Icehogs. Dahlbeck came over from his native Sweden in 2012 to join the Icehogs. He's made steady improvements in adjusting to a new game.
"Coming over from Europe, I'm trying to learn the smaller ice and be a little bit more comfortable in all those situations," Dahlbeck said.
Chicago hosts Montreal on Friday night, just its second home game in the span of 12 games. Antti Raanta will be in net for the Blackhawks as starter Corey Crawford will be out two to three weeks with a left foot injury.
