After expending a 2015 first-round pick and solid defense prospect to acquire his services, the will make forward a healthy scratch for Game 1 against the Nashville Predators. Head coach Joel Quenneville informed reporters that Vermettes .Since Vermette was acquired just ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the center has had a hard time fitting into Quennevilles plans. After putting up 35 points in Melvin Ingram III Jersey 63 games with the Arizona Coyotes prior to the trade, Vermette has just three a sists in 19 games with the Blackhawks.He has at times been moved from his natural position of center over to the wing and his ice time hovered between about 12 minutes and 16 Austin Blythe Jersey minutes a night after averaging nearly 18 per game for the 2014-15 season. Considering the great cost at which Vermette was acquired, seeing him as a healthy scratch is a tad surprising, but his performance hasnt been at a level that even comes close to equaling the value of what Chicago gave up to get him. As a result, it appears this will be the first game he mi ses since 2009-10, playoffs or otherwise.Vermette was one of the most sought after trade targets as the deadline neared. When the Coyotes began selling off parts, Mecole Hardman Jersey it was believed that multiple teams were in hot pursuit of Vermette before the Blackhawks swooped in and nabbed him. Chicago had extra cap space after went on long-term injured reserve due to a fractured clavicle, which gave them the flexibility to bring in Vermette.Now that Kane is back and the salary cap is Tommy Townsend Jersey a non-factor, Vermette becomes the odd man out instead of fortifying depth as he was expected to do. Now that Byron Pringle Jersey Vermette is out, it's anyone's gue s as to when he'll return to the lineup, if he'll return at all. That could obviously depend on the health of the roster and the performance of those in the lineup. Perhaps this scratch is being used to motivate Vermette, as there's no argument that he needs to be much, much better.