Ruutu's struggles continue

It has been a hard fall for Tuomo Ruutu, from playing on the Blackhawks' first and second lines to toiling on the fourth line.

But that's what happens when you go 32 games without scoring a goal.

"It's shocking he doesn't score because he goes to the net and is at the net," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "He has played hard, he really has. Give him credit, he hasn't given up. He's still trying to do what he can."

Now he's just doing it on the fourth line and getting minimal ice time. Ruutu played fewer than nine minutes in Sunday's 6-3 loss at Anaheim.

Late Monday night there was speculation that the Hawks were talking trade with Pittsburgh about Ruutu possibly going to the Penguins to join brother Jarkko.

"Part of why I dropped him there (to the fourth line) is to take pressure off," Savard said. "When you haven't scored in quite awhile it's tough on your mind. I just want him to go play his 10, 12 or 14 minutes, play hard and maybe he'll end up getting a goal to get going again.

"For now it's where he fits. We've got our top six, and that's where they should be right now and I can't break up that line of (Dustin) Byfuglien, (Dave) Bolland and (Rene) Bourque because they've played well."

Ruutu's last goal was Dec. 12 against Los Angeles. He has only 8 assists in the 32 games in which he hasn't scored. Ruutu, who will be a restricted free agent after the season, has just 6 goals for the season in 60 games.

Good news: The MRI goalie Nikolai Khabibulin had on his back Monday showed no damage.

The Hawks will continue to list Khabibulin as day to day with back spasms, but he would appear to be doubtful to play either Wednesday against Phoenix at the United Center or Thursday in Dallas.

Forsberg to Avs: Former MVP Peter Forsberg decided Monday he would give returning to the NHL a try, signing a contract with the Colorado Avalanche for the rest of this season for a prorated $1 million.

It was believed chronic foot and ankle problems would prohibit the 34-year-old Forsberg from a comeback this season.

Forsberg was considering the Hawks but decided to go back to Colorado, where he had played previously. "I'm looking forward to putting this jersey on again," he said.

Second chance: When Denis Savard pulled Patrick Lalime eight minutes into the first period at Anaheim after it was 2-0, he had every intention of bringing the goalie back.

"I was just trying to stop the bleeding there, let him rest and get his composure back," Savard said. "We made some mistakes on those goals, but I'm sure Patrick would agree the second goal (by Ryan Getzlaf through the pads) was not a good one."

Lalime returned to start the second period, with Corey Crawford going back to the bench after allowing 1 goal on 3 shots.

Savard was hesitant to use Crawford because he didn't get to California until after midnight Saturday morning and didn't have a chance to practice with the team.