Handzus, Teravainen grab some bench

Posted April 03, 2014 1:01 am

By Mike Spellman

A cagey veteran and a crafty rookie were sidelined Thursday night when the Blackhawks took on the Wild.

Coach Joel Quenneville, who kept Michal Handzus on the bench for the third period Sunday against Pittsburgh, opted not to have the veteran center in uniform Thursday.

"Well, you know, he's done a good job PK-wise for us and responsible defensively, so I think he gives us what we're looking for," Quenneville said when asked what more Handzus has to do. "He gives us some intelligence to his game, so he's been all right."

Also not in the lineup against Minnesota was 19-year-old center Teuvo Teravainen, who hasn't been progressing as well as Quenneville would like.

"I thought in his first game he looked like it was a nice initiation to the league," Quenneville said. "I thought he handled himself very well and played in some tough buildings. I thought he did OK.

"I think he'll just get better with time just watching. I think it'll be a good education for him, a good process in getting acclimated in what's needed at this level."

Quenneville indicated both could players be back in the lineup Friday in Columbus.

Big shot:

As tepid as Joel Quenneville seems to be about the play of Teuvo Teravainen since his sparkling debut, that's how hot the coach seems to be on Joakim Nordstrom, who was recalled this week and appears to have a real shot at making the playoff roster.

"Yeah, we'll see," Quenneville said. "I know one thing we saw earlier on in the year, he can give us some pace to his game, and whether it's a defensive role or a penalty-killing role, I think he's got that strength to his game. We like his speed."