BOSTON _ Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Friday the Blackhawks don't have a specific timetable on center Marcus Kruger's return from a hand injury, but he said they plan to have him back in the lineup before the All-Star break begins Friday.
"We'll get a better assessment at some point," Quenneville said. "I think probably (this weekend) we'll know exactly when he'll be able at least to practice with us. I don't think he's too far away.
"We'll get him in before the All-Star break."
Kruger has been sidelined since Dec. 30. The Hawks initially tagged Kruger with a three-week timetable to return, but his recovery has taken longer than expected. The Hawks have home games Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday next week.
Kruger's return likely means the Hawks will make a corresponding roster move, though Quenneville said he isn't sure how that is going to play out and players were improving their standing with each game.
"Some guys are jumping up on a nightly basis, all of a sudden changing their positioning," Quenneville said. "But certainly we like guys having success. All of a sudden the picture becomes more difficult and we have more options. Performance will likely be the greatest criteria."
There are always salary-cap considerations to account for with the Hawks, who are trying to create space to make a move before the trade deadline March 1.
Center Tanner Kero has filled in capably in Kruger's absence and has made a case to stick on the roster.
Meanwhile, center Nick Schmaltz has impressed Quenneville during his second stint with the team since he was recalled before Sunday's loss to the Wild.
Kero carries a lower cap hit than Schmaltz of about $250,000.
"We'd like to get that consistency going and we feel with Schmaltzy the other night (against the Avalanche), that was a different Schmaltzy than we saw earlier in the year, and that's a good sign," Quenneville said. "That's the kind of progress we're hoping for."
