NHL Buzz: Toews in concussion protocol, out for Blackhawks

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews was placed in concussion protocol Friday by the Blackhawks and there is no timetable for his return.
"Obviously he's a huge part of this organization and we're going to miss him," Chicago coach Derek King said. "… but we're making sure we do the right thing by this. There's no time frame, it's when he's feeling right. You can't mess around with this stuff. We'll just go day by day every day and see how he's feeling. When he's ready, he'll come back and join us."
The forward had an assist in an 8-5 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday and scored 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 43 games this season.
The Blackhawks captain missed his first game of the season Friday when Chicago lost 6-4 to the Colorado Avalanche.
"He's a voice in the room and he's a presence in the room and on the ice for us," Chicago defenseman Seth Jones said. "He plays in all situations and our best face-off guy, takes the most important face-offs, 5-on-5, in our [defensive] zone and on the penalty kill. So we're going to lose a big part of that. So we'll have to have guys definitely fill in and have a next-man-up mentality until he gets back." -- Tracey Myers

Buffalo Sabres

Zemgus Girgensons will be out until after the All-Star break for the Sabres because of an injury.
The forward missed five games with a lower-body injury before returning for a 5-0 loss against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
"Give him some more days to heal, I guess is probably the best way to say it," Sabres coach Don Granato said Friday. "We feel confident that should resolve but we'll have the doctors look at him further again to make certain that this is something that will resolve within the next few days."
Girgensons scored 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 34 games this season.
The Sabres have three games before the All-Star break (Feb. 3-6) before returning Feb. 10 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"It's an aggravated area where he had his previous injury so there's concern," Granato said. "… We just feel playing games will produce more wear and tear, aggravate it, playing games and skating."
Goalie Michael Houser, who was expected to start at least one of the next two games -- Saturday at the Arizona Coyotes or Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche -- was placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Friday.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Alexandre Texier is out four weeks for the Blue Jackets because of a fractured finger.
The forward was injured in a 6-0 loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
Texier has scored 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 36 games this season.

Montreal Canadiens

Brendan Gallagher could return for the Canadiens this weekend.
The forward has missed eight games with a lower-body injury. He scored 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 25 games.
Montreal plays at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Forward Jonathan Drouin is out indefinitely because of right wrist injury sustained in a 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 20. Forward Mathieu Perreault (lower body) is out 3-4 weeks, forward Christian Dvorak (upper body) is out until after the All-Star break, and defenseman Joel Edmundson (back), who has yet to play this season, remains out indefinitely.