Greetings. Youngblood here picking up the last installment of the four-game road trip. I think Russo is already in the sun somewhere.
Anyway, here's what was gleaned from the morning skates today.
First, Chicago: Neither Jonathan Toews nor Marian Hossa skated this morning. Toews has been banged up recently, but should play. Hossa is ill and will be a game-time decision.
Now, the Wild: Coach Todd Richards has made adjustments to a couple lines. He has put Chuck Kobasew on the right wing with center Matt Cullen and RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard. That means center John Madden will skate with Brad Staubitz and Eric Nystrom.
Backstrom is in net.
There is no word yet on whether Mikko Koivu or Martin Havlat will get the call to play in the All Star game as replacements for injured players who have pulled out. There is a pretty good chance that, if a call should come, it would be this afternoon. I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Talked to Barker about playing here as a visiting player. He sounded pretty stoked. "For sure," he said. "It's exciting to be back here, to play a game. Not just the game, it's everything that goes with it. People you're familiar with. Obviously the game will be fun."
Over in the Chicago dressing room Patrick Kane was asked about Baker, his old teammate who was traded to the Wild during last season.
