Stalberg bites the hand that formerly fed him
NASHVILLE - It has hardly been smooth sailing for Viktor Stalberg since he parted ways with the Blackhawks two years ago as a free agent.
After winning the 2013 Stanley Cup with the Hawks, Stalberg signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators, hoping the shift from Windy City to Music City would be harmonious. Instead, his first two years were mostly off key.
Still in search of some positive vibes, Stalberg started the playoffs strong Wednesday by scoring a goal in the Hawks 4-3 win against the Preds in Game 1 of the first-round series at Bridgestone Arena.
"I was pretty excited to see that we got Chicago," Stalberg said. "No matter how you twist and turn (it), it's going to be a great series. It's awesome for the fans, good hockey, two good teams and it'll be fun."
Until scoring to make it 2-0 late in the first period of Game 1, he hadn't had a lot of fun in Nashville.
Stalberg got injured in his first training camp. The condo he bought in Nashville that season sustained major flood damage. He had a subpar year, didn't see eye-to-eye with former Predators coach Barry Trotz and Nashville didn't make the playoffs.
This season, Stalberg has battled back from two injuries and twice cleared waivers for the Predators to send him to the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. He played 20 games in Milwaukee spread over five separate trips to the minors.
And yet, there he was Wednesday night playing against the Hawks in a first-round playoff series. There is still a chance for Stalberg to earn some sort of redemption, and that's his main focus.
"Yeah, it's been a tough year," Stalberg said. "I think you kind of try to stay with it as much as you can, but bad timing, injuries all season long it seems like ... just couldn't really catch a break. I played through it and found a way to get back in the lineup and obviously I'm here right now."
Two years ago, he wasn't in the Hawks' lineup for the start of that Stanley Cup Final series against the Bruins. It became an even bigger storyline after Stalberg openly griped about it during media day prior to the first game.
But any lingering hard feelings have dissipated.
"I think that's long gone," Stalberg said. "I play for these guys in here. I don't really care about the other team at this point, what they think about it. It's about this group, and what we can do out there. We've got a good team, and I'm looking forward to help out."