Coach Brian Sutter gave several of his top performers a day off Monday, but there were two conspicuous players among the 18 participants in the Blackhawks’ practice–defenseman Boris Mironov and left wing Mark Bell.
Mironov, who sustained a dislocated right shoulder late in the March 11 loss to Los Angeles when he was given a prompting push from teammate Steve Sullivan, is scheduled to have the injury re-evaluated early next week. His presence at practice lent credence to the Hawks’ hopes of having him back for the last six or seven games of the season.
Bell took part in his first full practice after missing the last two games because of an injury to his left hip during the March 18 tie with Dallas.
“It’s feeling better all the time,” said Bell. “I’ll definitely be ready Wednesday.”
Sullivan, who is recovering from a separated left shoulder sustained in Wednesday’s loss to New Jersey, didn’t practice. But Sutter isn’t ruling out a return to the lineup by the speedy right wing this Wednesday against Nashville in the United Center.
