Kruger (wrist) may be ready to return to action Saturday against the Flames, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger's impending return to the lineup will bolster Chicago's depth at forward and strengthen the team's penalty-killing units, but won't mean much to fantasy owners. Expect an update on the 2009 fifth-round pick's status ahead of Saturday evening's matchup with Calgary.

Kruger (wrist) is slated to go on Chicago's upcoming road trip, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the report, Kruger will play at some point on the team's four-game road trip, which opens on March 26 in Calgary, but it has yet to be determined which game that will occur.

Kruger (wrist) returned to practice Sunday, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger remains a ways from being fit to return, but his presence at practice Sunday certainly provides some encouragement. Expect further updates when he begins closing in, but that's not expected to come during the 2015-16 regular season.

Kruger (wrist) signed a three-year contract extension with the Blackhawks on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger is currently on injured reserve and has not suited up for Chicago since mid-December. The center's contract extension is unlikely to be based off his contributions this year as he recorded a lone assist in 33 contests. In his previous two campaigns, the 25-year-old played 81 games in each and tallied a combined 15 goals and 30 helpers. If the Blackhawks make a deep playoff run, it is possible Kruger could still return.

Kruger was placed on injured reserve Monday, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger's move to injured reserve is likely just to open up a spot on the roster, which has now been filled by the recall of Erik Gustafsson on Monday. He's still expected to miss about four months because of the issue, with more updates likely available as he begins to progress on the road to recovery.

Kruger underwent surgery to repair a dislocated left wrist Friday, and will be sidelined for the next four months as a result.

EDGE Analysis

Kruger suffered the injury in the second period of Thursday's game against the Oilers when he went crashing into the boards behind Edmonton's net. Although he hasn't contributed offensively this season, tallying a single assist in 33 games, he's been relied on heavily as a penalty killer, an area where he'll be missed most during his absence. The 25-year-old forward will hope to return to action in time for a potential postseason run in April. Chicago will likely place the former fifth-round pick on long-term injured reserve in order to free up some much needed cap space.

Kruger left Thursday's game against the Oilers with an undisclosed injury and will not return, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

It remains unclear exactly what the injury is, but he was seen holding his left hand/wrist on the bench. He'll sit the rest of Thursday's game out and should be considered questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Sabres.

Kruger signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

It took far longer than expected, but a trade that sent Kris Versteeg to the Hurricanes on Friday gave the Hawks the cap space they needed to finally get a deal done with Kruger. Kruger isn't a potent offensive contributor, as he only registered 17 points (7 goals, ten assists) in 81 games with Chicago last season. He is, however, a penalty-killing stud, and a force to be reckoned with in the face-off dot, skills that make him a valuable commodity for the Hawks. He will likely return to a bottom-six role with Chicago in 2015-16.

Kruger could have a new contract before the start of NHL free agency on Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reports. Blackhawks' general manager Stan Bowman said that Kruger along with Brandon Saad, both restricted free agents and unrestricted free agent Andrew Desjardins are considered priorities to re-sign. After winning the Stanley Cup, Kruger admitted that he dealt with a few injuries during the Stanley Cup run and was unsure if he would need surgery in the off-season. Kruger's thing is not on the offensive end with only seven goals and 10 assists during the 2014-15 regular season. He is the Blackhawks penalty-killing specialist who matches up against the top centermen on the other team. Kruger also excels on the face-off. He is completing a two-year, $2.65 million contract after the 2012-13 season.

Kruger admitted Tuesday that he dealt with a couple of injuries during the playoffs, but wasn't certain if offseason surgery will be necessary, ESPN Chicago's Scott Powers reports. Kruger wouldn't reveal the nature of the injuries, but he had been viewed as questionable heading into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals after he was on the receiving end of a hard hit from the Ducks' Ryan Kesler in the previous round. The fourth-line center didn't miss any of the six games in Finals, but failed to make much of an impact from a statistical standpoint. Even if Kruger is forced to go under the knife at some point, the long summer off should provide him with enough time to prepare for the start of training camp.