The Chicago Blackhawks are about to face some serious adversity.
The club announced this morning that defenseman Duncan Keith has undergone successful surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee.
Keith -- the 2015 recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP -- is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
The Blackhawks (3-3-0) play 15 games over the next month. If Keith is out the full six weeks, he could miss a quarter of the regular season, give or take a few games.
Keith injury could also keep him out of Chicago's annual Circus Trip, a six-game roadie through EDM, CAL, VAN, SJ, ANA, LA from Nov.18-28.
— Mike Halford (@MikeHalford604) October 20, 2015
Here’s how the ice time has been allocated on the Chicago defense so far this season:
#Blackhawks were already looking to trade for a defenseman. Duncan Keith news likely escalates those efforts.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) October 20, 2015