Blackhawks' Mangiapane Out Week-to-Week with Lower-Body Injury
Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Mangiapane will be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, head coach Jeff Blashill said Monday. Mangiapane was injured early in the second period of the season opener against Vegas, logging 5:23 of ice time with one shot, one hit, and a minor penalty. The Blackhawks are 0-3-0 and are also missing Connor Bedard because of a shoulder injury.
Mangiapane, 30, is in his first full campaign with Chicago after arriving from Edmonton in a midseason trade that sent Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach the other way. He recorded two points in 10 games for the Blackhawks last season and had 14 points in 52 contests with the Oilers before the deal. Earlier in his career, he spent seven seasons with Calgary and also played for Washington.
Chicago has opened 0-3-0, losing to Vegas, Utah, and Buffalo, and owns a minus-10 goal differential, second-worst in the league. With Connor Bedard also sidelined by a shoulder injury, the team hosts St. Louis on Tuesday.
Mangiapane’s absence could affect the Blackhawks’ locker room and fan base, especially with Bedard already out, as a depleted forward group may struggle to generate scoring and keep early-season interest high. It may also matter to fantasy players and bettors tracking lineup news. For Mangiapane, a week-to-week lower-body issue could slow his adjustment in Chicago and limit his chances to prove his role. The wider hockey audience may simply see another reminder of how quickly injuries shape a team’s season.