Chicago Blackhawks receive terrible news on the injury front

Well, this isn't the news that Chicago Blackhawks fans wanted to hear as the regular season approaches. 

Defenseman Caleb Jones, who is entering his first year in the Windy City after being acquired as part of the deal that sent former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers, will be unavailable for the next six weeks with a sprained wrist. He had already been absent the last several practices owing to what the team called wrist soreness. 

The news is especially tough for Chicago, who are already going to be missing Wyatt Kalynuk for the next 2-4 weeks with a sprained ankle. 

"I can say he had a great camp and played very well," head coach Jeremy Colliton said on Thursday. "Looked like he could play regularly, so that's a blow for him."

Jones is the brother of defenseman Seth Jones, whom the Blackhawks also acquired during the offseason from the Columbus Blue Jackets. After registering four assists during the 2021 campaign with Edmonton last year, he was dealt to Chicago on July 12 by Oilers GM Ken Holland. 

He's skated in 93 career NHL games, picking up 24 points.