CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks placed Patrick Kane on long-term injured reserve on Wednesday and recalled forward Teuvo Teravainen from Rockford of the AHL.
The Blackhawks also assigned Trevor van Riemsdyk to their top minor-league affiliate. The rookie defenseman, who had left knee surgery in November, likely will return after a conditioning stint with the IceHogs.
Kane, who leads Chicago with 27 goals and 37 assists, lost his balance and crashed into the boards after he was cross-checked by Florida defenseman Alex Petrovic with 12:11 left in the first period of Tuesday night’s 3-2 shootout victory over the Panthers. He stayed down on the ice for a short time and appeared to be favoring his left arm or shoulder as he skated to the bench and went straight to the locker room with what the team labeled an upper-body injury.
The Blackhawks were traveling to Florida on Wednesday and did not provide an update on how long the dynamic winger would be sidelined. But the spot on long-term injured reserve means he will be out for at least 10 regular-season games and 24 days.
“You miss a valuable guy, a buddy,” coach Joel Quenneville said after Tuesday night’s victory. “He’s having one of those years who are very noticeable. But the guys still got to stick with it. Playing the right way will be emphasized as we go along.”
Kane’s move to long-term injured reserve also creates some room with the salary cap ahead of Tuesday’s NHL trade deadline.
The 20-year-old Teravainen has two goals and two assists in 15 games with the Blackhawks. The first-round pick from the 2012 draft is regarded as one of the league’s top prospects.
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