Kruger pleased to get visa issues resolved, rejoin team
Marcus Kruger, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract last week, finally arrived in Chicago on Friday after getting a visa issue resolved. Kruger wanted to get here earlier but said the visa process couldn't begin until he signed his deal.
Kruger has been a staple on the penalty kill and helped anchor a fourth line during last season's playoffs that often kept the other teams' top lines at bay.
He was hoping for a longer contract but also said he understands where the Hawks are at in terms of the salary cap.
“I'm happy to sign here again and be a part of this team and this organization again,” Kruger said.
The 25-year-old Swede was able to skate with his junior team while awaiting the visa, and now is ready to show the Hawks he deserves a long-term deal.
“I'll try to do my best to maybe in the future get another deal,” Kruger said. “So that's what I'm aiming for this year and have a good year and I think everything else will sort out.”
Saturday's game:
The Hawks scored a pair of goals in a span of 2:16 to beat St. Louis 3-1 in preseason action at the United Center on Saturday.
Patrick Kane scored on a breakaway to snap a 1-1 tie with 4:18 left in the game, and Duncan Keith made it 3-1 with a power-play goal.
The other Hawks goal came from Marian Hossa.
Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson made their preseason debuts. Corey Crawford started in net and made 20 saves.
Tip-ins:
Coach Joel Quenneville said that defenseman Michal Rozsival, still rehabbing from his broken ankle during the postseason, is “questionable to doubtful” to be ready for the start of the regular season. … Quenneville also said that Artemi Panarin (upper body) will be re-evaluated on Monday.
The coach hopes that Panarin can play in the final two preseason games.
Roster moves:
Forwards Ryan Haggerty, Mark McNeill, Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp and defenseman Ville Pokka were assigned to Rockford. The Hawks also released forwards Chris DeSousa and Pierre-Cedric Labrie, defenseman Kirill Gotovets, and goalies Mark Visentin and Mac Carruth from training camp.