Toews is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and won't play Tuesday against the rival Red Wings. His current injury is not related to the left wrist injury he suffered before the All-Star game and kept him out one game.

Toews finished the Hawks' 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. Coach Joel Quenneville said "not much" happened to Toews and that there was no defining blow or play that caused the injury.

Asked if Toews has been playing through the injury for some time and if it's been a nagging concern, Quenneville said, "we'll just leave it at that he's a competitive guy and he wants to play."

"Jonny is important in a lot of ways whether it's his leadership or the quantity or quality of ice that he's out there for," Quenneville said. "He leads us in a lot of ways and it's up to some other guys to step up and absorb some quality ice and some responsibilities as well."

It can also be considered good news that a player wasn't recalled with Toews hurt and that he wasn't placed on injured reserve, which would require him to miss seven days. As of 12 p.m. Tuesday, no roster move had been announced.

Brendan Morrison will take Toews' spot on the first line with Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. Morrison has been a healthy scratch in five of the last six games.

"With his experience, he can play on the power play, he can play on the penalty kill and he can play at regular strength," Quenneville said. "Puck possession is something that plays into his strengths. I think he's progressed in games. I'm looking for a strong start from him."

Morrison, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames during the All-Star break, said this has been a trying season for him, especially after coming off offseason knee surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

"It's just trying to contribute in any way you can whatever that role may be," Morrison said. "I just have to find a way to get going. It's been a difficult year as far as the amount of games I've played and just the feel really. Obviously, I'm not very happy with the way things have gone so far. ... But I just have to find any way to get myself going and help this team any way I can. This is a fantastic hockey team."

Datsyuk also out

According to Detroit media reports, Datsyuk is out two weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday morning.

"Surgery is over," Detroit GM Ken Holland told the team's website. "It was minor arthroscopic surgery and he should be good to go in a couple of weeks. ... The doctor said having been in there that it was something that needed to be done."