Kruger could be expendable with the emergence of Tanner Kero, the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Blackhawks were lax on the penalty kill this season, ranking 24th in the league with a success rate of 77.7 percent. Kruger averaged 2:19 in that special teams situation, so we wouldn't be surprised if Chicago ends up finding a way to ditch the Swede's contract valued at $3.083 million for the next two seasons and handing the reins to Kero, who is much more affordable and adept in shorthanded situations himself. The situation could take care of itself if the Golden Knights expansion franchise takes the bait on Kruger.

Kruger will join Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger will join the fifth-ranked Swedes who are in a tough Group A alongside Russia, the United States, and Slovakia. Considering the 26-year-old averaged a mere 14:01 of ice time during the regular season, it is not surprising to see him pot just five goals and 12 helpers in a bottom-six role. In the Hawks' brief postseason appearance, the center tallied a lone helper, seven shots on goal, and two PIM. Given his limited offensive contributions, Kruger will probably only benefit owners in deeper fantasy formats.

Kruger scored a goal and an assist Tuesday against the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

It was Kruger's fifth of the season, and he finished the night with a plus-2 rating, two shots and three blocked shots. The only negative was his poor showing in the circle, winning just four of 13 faceoffs, but, to be fair, the Avalanche are ranked No. 2 in the league in faceoff win percentage. It's his second goal in four games, and even though he's not known to be a scorer, the bounces are definitely going his way.

Kruger scored his fourth goal of the season during Wednesday's win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old pivot has established himself as a solid defensive pivot with a 50.4 Corsi For percentage despite beginning just 28.6 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone. However, Kruger shouldn't be confused with a serviceable fantasy asset. He has just four goals, 15 points and 77 shots through 65 games, after all.

Kruger (illness) will return for Thursday's road game against the Coyotes, Tracey Meyers of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger is apparently over the bug that kept him out of Tuesday's road trip opener in San Jose and he is projected to return to his place on Chicago's third line centering Dennis Rasmussen and Marian Hossa. While he is an important piece of Chicago's penalty kill, he isn't much of a scorer and so can be avoided in most fantasy formats.

Kruger will not play Tuesday night's game in San jose due to illness, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Joel Quenneville said that he would have to see how Kruger is feeling ahead of Thursday's game in Arizona before making any kind of declaration on his availability for that game. Either way, Kruger hasn't recorded an assist since Dec. 17 and hasn't netted a goal since Dec. 1, so his absence shouldn't affect the majority of fantasy owners.

Kruger was scratched from Tuesday night's lineup.

EDGE Analysis

Despite Kruger coming off injured reserve earlier in the day, coach Joel Quenneville was apparently not comfortable with slotting him into the lineup just yet and he will sit for an eleventh straight game. The 26-year-old is healthy, in theory, so expect to seem back in the lineup soon enough.

The Blackhawks activated Kruger (upper body) off injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger's return to the Blackhawks' lineup hasn't technically been confirmed, but he'll likely slot back into a bottom-six role for Tuesday's game against Tampa Bay. The Swedish pivot's return to action will bolster Chicago's bottom-six forward group and penalty-killing unit, but his limited offensive upside keeps him from being a desirable option in most fantasy formats.

Kruger (upper body) is making progress but is not quite ready to return to action just yet, ruling him out for Sunday's game against the Canucks, CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

In his own words, Kruger stated that he is "pretty close" to returning to game action, shedding some optimism that he'll finally be ready this week after missing the last 10 contests to this lingering injury. The 26-year-old Swede is an important cog in Chicago's penalty killing unit, but his 10 points on the season doesn't do much to move the fantasy needle.

Kruger (upper body) has not progressed well from injury, and head coach Joel Quenneville suggested the center might miss more time than originally expected, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger was originally expected to miss three weeks, but his timetable to return from an apparent hand injury might now be longer. Fantasy owners will want to see Kruger officially return and prove his health in a full game without any setbacks before trusting him again.