The Chicago Blackhawks have been playing very well as of late with six straight wins and they could get Patrick Sharp back to the lineup for the first time in a month, while the team potentially could look at trading Jeremy Morin at some point, as they have plenty of depth at forward heading into the middle stretch of the season.
The Blackhawks have started to get in top form as the December schedule picks up and now Sharp could be on his way back after dealing with a leg injury. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Sharp could be in the starting lineup on Tuesday for the Blackhawks, with the 32-year-old forward saying that he has been progressing each week since last appearing in a game in early November.
Sharp has played in 13 games this season, putting in three goals and totaling nine points. The Blackhawks will play the Devils on the road on Tuesday and they could have Sharp back for that matchup. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have been playing very well this season while the team has dealt with injuries and now Sharp will give the team another offensive boost. The team has won six straight games and they last won against the Predators, with Marian Hossa scoring two goals in the game.
The Blackhawks could look at making some moves at the trade deadline and the Chicago Sun-Times adds that Jeremy Morin could be a potential target. The website added Morin said recently that the team should look into moving him or giving him more playing time and that could lead to a potential deal. Morin has played in 54 games in his career over five years and this season he has played in 15 games, putting up zero points.
The 23-year-old was selected in the 2009 NHL draft as the number 45 pick and the team likely will not send him to the minors since he could be claimed on waivers. The Blackhawks are currently in first place in the central division and they are ranked first in goals against and first in penalty kill percentage this year.