Hard work best tonic for Morin's scratch

For six straight games, Jeremy Morin has been the odd man out, watching from the sidelines as a healthy scratch.

And with the imminent return of Patrick Sharp to the lineup, the young forward's situation doesn't appear to improve any time soon.

"Obviously, it's frustrating," Morin told reporters. "It's kind of out of my control right now. I've just got to work hard and work my way back into the lineup."

Morin, 23, has yet to register a point in 15 games. And his last game action came all the way back on Nov. 20.

"I think he wants to play," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're telling him, 'Hey, you've got to treat your practices like games. Get everything you can out of those skates and get ready like in that backup role where you could get pressed in there. And then when you're in, you don't want to come out.' "

Quenneville offered up a "we'll see" when asked if Morin might be sent down to Rockford to get some playing time. Hampering that plan is the fact that he'd have to clear waivers first, something that's not too likely to happen.

"It's part of that process where you don't want to be in that position, but it's what it is," Quenneville said. "You got to put yourself where you're on that ready switch."

Hold that puck:

Brad Richards admits that, even 25 games into the season, he's still learning the Blackhawk way - especially when it comes to puck control.

"It took a little time to realize how much they want you to make plays and hold onto the puck," Richards said. "They don't want to give the puck away for no reason and go chase it.

"It's refreshing that it's not robotic here."

Debut time:

Joel Quenneville indicated after morning skate that there's a good chance recently recalled defenseman Klas Dahlbeck will be on the ice Saturday in Nashville.

"We got him here, we want to take a look at him, give him an opportunity," Quenneville said.

Dahlbeck will be ready when his number (44) is called.

"It's unfortunate (Trevor) van Riemsdyk getting injured like that, but it's an opening for the other guys," Dahlbeck said.

He said it:

"He was a great ambassador for our sport. When I was with Hartford and we played Montreal, the guy always handled himself so well. He epitomized the word class in every way."

- Joel Quenneville on the passing of legendary Montreal center Jean Beliveau