What we learned from Chicago Blackhawks practice, including Patrick Kane doubtful for at least 1 more game and a goalie carousel

Patrick Kane skated before Chicago Blackhawks practice Wednesday and took some shots against retired Czech Republic soccer goalkeeper Petr Čech, a guest of the Hawks and goalie Petr Mrázek, Čech’s friend of 11 years.

But Kane, who has a lower-body injury, skated off afterward and didn’t participate in the rest of practice. Coach Luke Richardson said Kane is doubtful to play Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center.

“Why push it?” Richardson said. “We took this long week for rest, and if he needs another day or two, just take it.”

Kane has been hurt since taking a hard hit against the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 1, and he left the next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning before the third period as the pain worsened. He sat out victories over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday and Calgary Flames on Sunday.

Richardson is hopeful Kane might be ready to play Saturday against the Seattle Kraken.

“I don’t think it’s major,” he said. “Just no point in playing him at 50% if he’s not feeling great.”

Here’s what else we learned Wednesday.

Reichel has played only 1 minute, 49 seconds on the power play in two games since getting called up from Rockford. The Hawks had three power-play opportunities in that span.

Richardson said Reichel and linemate Philipp Kurashev “seem to have something going, and even on the power play today, they really look for each other.”

Reichel has looked comfortable playing on his strong side on the left flank.

“Even on the two-on-one (such as Reichel’s assist on Kurashev’s goal against the Flames), you can see he can really sell things and make that play either to the middle or to the far side,” Richardson said. “Right now it’s just giving him opportunity. We had one power play last game, so we haven’t been creating a lot of chances.

“But the faster we play offensively, I think we’re going to be able to start to draw some hooks and holds and that will give him a little bit more chance and a better look.”

Richardson has been more impressed by how Reichel has handled five-on-five play.

“Offensively, he’s not trying to slow down and stop and try and sauce through three people,” he said. “He’s skating and creating speed, so it’s creating lanes.”

Alex Stalock sat out practice for a second straight day with a non-COVID-19 illness.

The goalie carousel has been interesting.

On Tuesday, famed emergency backup goalie Scott Foster pitched in at practice, as did Čech, who now plays semipro hockey after retiring from soccer.

Čech returned Wednesday and participated in warmups, but Stauber manned the net opposite Mrázek during practice.

“Obviously been here before, so that’s good to get back,” Stauber told the Tribune. “And you know the guys, (you) kind of know how things operate a little bit, so it’s just more comfort for sure.”

Stauber was recalled Dec. 4 when Mrázek went on injured reserve with a groin injury but was sent back to Rockford on Dec. 12. The 23-year-old has a 6-4-0 record, 3.06 goals-against average and .896 save percentage in 12 games this season for the IceHogs.

In a corresponding move, forward Brett Seney was sent back to Rockford after two games with the Hawks.

Stauber said he worked on “how I was reading some of the situations and playing them consistently, some of the bad-angle breakaway rush chances. I’ve had a lot of those the last few games. And (IceHogs goalie coach) Pete Aubry and I have worked on that quite a bit down there. So I feel like I’ve seen a good progression in those.

“It’s just when they’re coming in from that angle, too, it’s different than when it is straight on. So you’ve got to be a little bit more precise (knowing) how far you come out and when to back off.”

Richardson focused on defensive zone coverage Tuesday.

“Just trying to get the guys to communicate a little bit and have our system,” he said, “but we also have to talk and have to read off each other because once you’re in there for a few seconds, things get moving and get chaotic.”

When the Hawks get stops, Richardson wants to create offense from the counterattack. They’re not getting enough numbers to capitalize on those chances.

“The last two days (at practice) it’s been a lot of speed, moving the puck and then attacking,” he said. “If we’re tracking hard (and) we’re playing together, if we can transition that into offense and attack when the other team’s either trying to change or they’re not ready because they turned the puck over or they’re being lazy, then we can outnumber them and get more offense.

“And that’s what we’re trying to do is be sound defensively but create more offense at all times.”

Those would be the Hawks who aren’t typically counted on for scoring, such as fourth-liner Colin Blackwell against the Flames or defenseman Jake McCabe against the Coyotes.

“That was one of the top clips on yesterday’s video,” Richardson said. “It was textbook line rush. It’s nothing fancy, (just) simple, hard work, straight line, shooting the puck in an area that we can get it back maybe.

“It’s good to show clips like that of guys that maybe are playing the system that we want to play and they don’t have the opportunity that maybe Patrick (Kane) does or Jonathan (Toews) or even Reichel up with (Max) Domi now, that maybe they have a little bit more opportunity on offensive zone faceoffs and a little more skill around the net to create things.

“Everybody can create for the team, and we’ve just got to find the right way to do it.”