Spellman: With Versteeg out, Teravainen steps in
As Teuvo Teravainen and Antti Raanta walked off the ice and past a group of reporters following practice Saturday, Raanta playfully shielded Teravainen's face with his glove, like a publicist protecting a movie star from the paparazzi.
No such worries around Blackhawksland for the 20-year-old center who was recalled Friday and should be here a while considering the news Saturday that Kris Versteeg may miss a month after injuring his hand in the Winter Classic.
Teravainen isn't coming in to be the savior; he's coming in to help keep the machine rolling.
"Expectations internally are at the right area where, 'Hey, let's let him go and see how he matures and progresses,' " Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "There's not the buildup or the hype of a Toews or Kaner.
"He's a young kid; let him play and hopefully he keeps getting better every game and every year. It'll be good for the organization if that's the case."
If there's anyone who knows about expectations, it's Kane, the first overall pick in the 2007 draft.
"When I was coming up I was almost too dumb, too stupid to even know what was going on," he said. "Sometimes you just go out there and play. Sometimes that can be the best recipe for success. I'm sure he wants to prove some things.
"When someone gets called up, you always try to encourage them to play their game, to play the game the way that got them there in the first place."
That's precisely what Teravainen plans on doing.
"Of course, Kaner and Toews, they've been in this same situation, they know about it and they're going to help me," said Teravainen, who had 23 points in 33 games with Rockford. "I know there's some expectations.
"I'm a young player, so I just don't really try to care about that too much, just try to live day by day. Try to work hard and things are going to happen."
At practice Saturday, Teravainen centered the fourth line alongside Ben Smith and Joakim Nordstom, meaning he will have to bring the defense and energy.
"He's progressed in that area," Quenneville said of Teravainen's defense. "He always has an awareness for being on the defensive side of the puck.
"We want to encourage him to go offensively, pressure the puck, be around it, and you should have it more if you're doing that. It complements his style."
Kane is looking forward to seeing what the young Finn will do in his first extended stay with the big club.
"(His skill set) is top-notch. It's off the charts," Kane said. "Very skilled, great hands, good shot, sees the game really well.
"He's going to be good, for sure."
Teravainen is beyond ready to get things going Sunday night against Dallas.
"I'm really excited," he said. "It's good to be back here.
"It's been my goal to be here this year, and I've been working so hard all summer and now in the season and I'm happy to be here."
• Follow Mike's Hawks reports on Twitter @dhspellman.