Long road trip awaits Hawks

Consider the all-star break the calm before the storm for the Blackhawks.

When they return next week they'll embark on an eight-game road trip starting Wednesday at Anaheim. The Hawks play only one home game (Feb. 14) in the next 31 days.

The Hawks will be off until a Monday afternoon practice in Bensenville.

"Get away, that's what it's all about," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Get refreshed and get energized. It'll be a tough stretch run, so it's best to relax as best you can. You still want to get some exercise, but it's nice to refresh the mind and body."

The Hawks will have five players heading to Montreal on Friday for all-star weekend.

Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Brian Campbell will play in Sunday's All-Star Game while Kris Versteeg and Dave Bolland participate in Saturday's Young Stars Game.

Kane will go despite a gimpy right ankle, but the Hawks never considered asking him not to play.

"There hasn't been any discussion like that one way or the other, whether we should or shouldn't," Quenneville said. "It's a nice weekend and fun to be part of."

Back in black: If you liked those throwback jerseys the Hawks wore in the Winter Classic, you're in luck.

Those will become the Hawks' new third jersey next season, replacing the current black sweater that is identical to the home red and road white.

The only addition to the jersey the Hawks wore at Wrigley Field will be tomahawks on the shoulders.

Eye to the future: Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, recalled from Rockford on Tuesday, was in the lineup for the first time since opening night in New York when he suffered a rib injury.

Aaron Johnson was a healthy scratch.

Hjalmarssonis is considered the Hawks' best prospect on defense.

"He's just a real solid, stay-at-home guy," general manager Dale Tallon said. "It's just a matter of time with him."

Tip-ins: Former Hawks captain Tony Amonte, who is now coaching a youth team in the Boston area, dropped the ceremonial first puck Wednesday. ... WGN radio analyst Troy Murray signed a three-year contract extension. ... WGN 720-AM will pick up the national feed of Sunday's NHL All-Star Game at 5 p.m.