Versteeg keeps positive with return to Chicago
Kris Versteeg could have felt a few different ways about coming back to the United Center on Sunday, considering his mixed past with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Versteeg had his share of positive experiences being twice acquired by the Blackhawks and winning two Stanley Cups with them. But he was also traded away twice and he wasn't always in coach Joel Quenneville's favor during his latest stint.
Versteeg chose to focus on the positives while making his return with the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
“Chicago has really always been a second home to me,” Versteeg said prior to the game. “I have a lot of great friends here even away from the game. A lot of great people I've met, so I know they're excited to be here tonight to watch as well, and it's always a very special feeling for me to come back, so I'm excited about everything I was a part of in my past and excited to be here.”
The Blackhawks dealt Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom to the Hurricanes for prospects in September in order to get under the salary cap. Versteeg entered Sunday's game with 5 goals and 14 assists in 34 games this season, and Nordstrom had 2 goals and 5 assists in 24 games. The two players started together on a line on Sunday.
Versteeg and Nordstrom were recognized on the video board by the Blackhawks for their role in last season's Stanley Cup during a stop play in the first period. Both players acknowledged the crowd's cheers by waving.
“It's still strange, I guess, coming back, but it's exciting,” Versteeg said. “I know in 2010 I didn't get the opportunity to come back after we won, so this is really exciting for me and I've been looking forward to it.”
Stitches for Scuderi:
Blackhawks defenseman Rob Scuderi required “20-30 stitches” just to the left of his mouth after being struck by a puck in the team's last game against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
Scuderi was able to play Sunday, but he did so with a sizable wound.
“It was pretty gross when it scabbed over,” Scuderi said after the team's morning skate. “It looked like I had a growth on my face. So, fortunately, the scab has subsided at least.
“It made for some interesting family photos, but it'll still be memorable.”
Darling to get more action:
Quenneville expected backup goaltender Scott Darling to get more starts going forward after the NHL's Christmas break. Darling has started just seven games this season to Corey Crawford's 30 starts.
“He's going to get a turn here,” Quenneville said of Darling. “I think going into that break, Corey was on a real nice roll. I think that was the reason we kept going with him. We'd expect him to be back in the net here and helping us here.”
World Juniors:
The Blackhawks have four prospects, Nick Schmaltz (United States), Joni Tuulola (Finland), Gustav Forsling (Sweden) and Radovan Bondra (Slovakia), playing in the World Junior Championship, which began on Saturday. Blackhawks amateur scouting director Mark Kelley, player personnel director Pierre Gauthier, among others from the organization traveled to Finland for the under-20 tournament.