Hawks’ Frolik ‘playing well’ as he returns to Florida

It’s still too early to declare a winner in the Michael Frolik-for-Jack Skille trade, although the Blackhawks will tell you they like everything about last month’s deal.

Only Frolik will be on the ice Tuesday night when the Hawks play the Panthers at the Bank Atlantic Center looking for a franchise record-tying ninth straight victory.

While Skille remains sidelined by a high ankle sprain, Frolik has found his scoring touch with the Hawks with 2 goals and 2 assists in the last three games after going his first nine without a point.

“He’s really playing well,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters Monday. “We were talking a lot about how well he was playing before he started scoring, wondering about his production and when it was going to happen.

“I thought his overall game was kind of what we were looking for. Now he seems to have the puck a lot more and he’s dangerous when he’s in front or around the net.”

Skille has had a rocky start for the Panthers. He was minus-8 with 1 assist in seven games before getting hurt, but Florida general manager Dale Tallon still likes the potential he got in the deal.

“We have similar players to Michael: (Rostislav) Olesz, (Evgeny) Dadonov,” Tallon told reporters Monday. “We needed to change the dynamic of our team. We needed to add some speed and physicality to our lineup.

“Jack’s got a chance to be a scorer in the league. That’s why we drafted him seventh overall. He’s not a fourth-line guy. He needs to get ice time to improve himself. He’s a young guy who fits into our future.”

Frolik is much more relaxed with the Hawks after getting that first goal last week.

“When I came here the coach and guys told me don’t worry about the goals,” Frolik said. “We’ve got so many guys who can score goals, so the pressure may be a little lower here. Just play your game, play hard and points are going to come.

“For sure, it feels a little like (the Panthers) gave up (on me). But I don’t know what’s in their minds or what’s going on upstairs.”

ŸThere was good news for the Hawks on Monday regarding defenseman Duncan Keith’s injured right hand.

While Keith didn’t practice, Quenneville said the Norris Trophy winner would play Tuesday night and that Niklas Hjalmarsson would as well.

“They’re both expected to play,” Quenneville said. “They should be fine.”

Keith sat out most of the third period Saturday at Toronto after taking a puck off his hand. Hjalmarsson has been nursing various bumps and bruises for weeks.

ŸTallon visited with many of his former players Monday. Tuesday night’s game will mark the first time Tallon has faced the Hawks since taking over as GM of the Panthers.

Tallon repeated that he has no hard feelings for the Hawks, who fired him as GM before the start of last season.

“I’m very relaxed about it and happy they’re doing well,” Tallon told reporters. “The day I drank out of the Cup (at a players party) was closure for me. I’ve moved on and got a job to do here.

“I’m a Panther. (The Hawks) will always be special to me, but I’ve got a new set of kids coming, like starting a new family after a divorce.”

While Tallon did get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup for helping build last season’s championship team, he wasn’t invited to the White House for Friday’s ceremony with President Obama.

“I’m a Republican anyway,” Tallon joked.