Williams could return in 4 weeks after hernia surgery
DENVER -- Injured winger Jason Williams underwent successful surgery for a sports hernia on Friday, but the news might not be so bleak.
Williams, who has missed 27 of the last 28 games since mid-November, could be back in the Hawks' lineup in four weeks.
"When you have surgery they always say six weeks, but according to the doctors it's going to be less than that, which is good news," said Hawks coach Denis Savard.
Williams, who had the surgery in Philadelphia, played through the pain early in the year and was a key part of the power play from the left point.
"It's been frustrating for him," said general manager Dale Tallon. "First it was a groin and we treated the groin. It seemed to be getting better then his stomach got sore higher up. At least he's got peace of mind now."
The power play hasn't been as dangerous since Williams went down.
"The power play is hanging in there, but with him running it, it makes a big difference, no question," Savard said.
Happy ending: Patrick Sharp said Dale Tallon came to his agent about a contract extension that ultimately turned into the new four-year, $15.6 million deal he signed Thursday.
"I was really kind of a third party to it all," Sharp said. "It went pretty easy, but this is where I want to be. I want to stay and I want to win here."
Sharp was one of six key restricted free agents Tallon hoped to sign before July. Now Tallon can turn his attention to Tuomo Ruutu, Brent Seabrook, Dustin Byfuglien, James Wisniewski and Rene Bourque.
Back so soon: James Wisniewski returned to the lineup Friday somewhat ahead of schedule from the knee sprain he suffered on Dec. 26.
The plan was for Wisniewski to take some shifts at wing and on defense.
"I want to break him in and getting him a little skating going," Denis Savard said. "I like 11 forwards sometimes. The players that are going good that night, you can give them a little extra ice time."
Tip-ins: The Hawks extended the contract of assistant coach Mark Hardy through next season, matching the length of Denis Savard's deal. ... Kris Versteeg, who sprained his right shoulder against St. Louis on Wednesday shouldn't be out more than two or three weeks. ... Dave Bolland skated with his teammates Friday morning after getting the cast off his broken finger, but the earliest he would return is Jan. 24 against Columbus. ... Martin Lapointe made the trip but missed his second straight game with the flu. ... Greg Adams is signed through next season, when he will earn $600,000. He was given uniform No. 28, which had belonged to Mike Blunden.
Tonight's faceoff
Blackhawks vs. Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, 8 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
The skinny: The surprising Coyotes (24-21-1) have lost three of their last five games. They dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Columbus on Thursday when Rick Nash scored with 22 seconds to play. Coyotes winger Shane Doan has a nine-game points scoring streak (6 goals, 8 assists), while rookie center Peter Mueller has 1 goal and 5 assists in the last two games. The season series is tied 1-1, with the Hawks losing 4-2 earlier this month in Phoenix.
Player to watch: Radim Vrbata. The ex-Hawk leads the Coyotes with 18 goals, including 6 on the power play.
Next: San Jose Sharks, Tuesday at HP Pavilion, 9:30 p.m.
-- Tim Sassone