The Chicago Blackhawks have lost a pair of key defensemen for the remainder of their campaign.
Brent Seabrook and Calvin de Haan have both been placed on long-term injured reserve ahead of season-ending shoulder surgery, the team announced Thursday. Seabrook is also scheduled for surgery on each hip in 2020.
Seabrook, 34, missed the club's last four games leading up to the Christmas break while receiving further medical evaluation for an undisclosed injury.
The veteran rearguard has seen his minutes decline over four straight seasons. He's recorded four points through 32 games in 2019-20 while averaging 18:09 of ice time per game. Seabrook has four-and-a-half years remaining on his contract with an annual cap hit of $6.875-million.
Chicago acquired de Haan in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes this past June. The 28-year-old played a key penalty-killing role for the Blackhawks, averaging 2:41 of shorthanded ice time per game. He also contributed six points in 29 contests while leading the club in both hits (93) and blocked shots (73).
Approaching the midway mark of the season, the Blackhawks sit last in the Central Division and rank 24th defensively, allowing 3.18 goals against per game.
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