Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Morrison, O’Donnell in, Mayers and Olsen out for Blackhawks

Sean O'Donnell, Ben Smith

Chicago Blackhawks’ Sean O’Donnell (6) talks with Ben Smith (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Chicago, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

One can quibble with Chris Kuc’s assertion that this is a “big” change, but either way, the Chicago Blackhawks are tweaking their lower forward ranks by scratching tough winger Jamal Mayers for veteran center Brendan Morrison. Another notable alteration comes in depth defense as stable veteran blueliner Sean O’Donnell* swaps in for youngster Dylan Olsen.

On paper, these changes shouldn’t alter the balance of power. Then again, with all three games going to overtime already, it’s not crazy to say that little tweaks might make all the difference.

(Really, Brandon Saad could make the biggest impact of all the lineup tweaks, anyway.)

* - Whose name I always need to be careful in mentioning, because part of me always wants to call him Chris O’Donnell of Robin in “Batman Forever” infamy.