Cullimore helps himself with strong showing

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was a long way back to the NHL for defenseman Jassen Cullimore.

With Patrick Kane ill and unable to play Friday night against the Blue Jackets, Cullimore was recalled from Rockford to fill the roster spot.

It was the 16-year veteran's first NHL game since the 2008-09 season with Florida and he was impressive in 19 minutes with an assist and blocked shot in the Blackhawks' 5-2 win.

“He looked very good, coach Joel Quenneville said. “We liked his size and strength in the puck areas. He's got some experience that helped us settle things down back there. He certainly helped himself tonight.

How much Cullimore helped himself fit into the back end of a defense that has struggled is to be determined.

“We'll talk about it, Quenneville said.

“This is where I want to be, obviously, Cullimore said. “As a player you want to be in the top league and this is it. That's obviously my goal, but you can't look to far ahead.

Cullimore, 37, never thought of retiring after being let go by the Panthers. He spent all of last season with Rockford, signing there as a free agent. He was signed to a contract by the Hawks in February and recalled for the playoffs but never got in a game.

“I felt like I still have it in me, Cullimore said. “It never crossed my mind not to keep chugging along. I felt like I had a fairly good camp.

It's Cullimore's second stint with the Hawks, playing previously from 2005-07.

Hammer time:

Nilklas Hjalmarsson returns from his two-game suspension tonight against the Sabres hoping to turn his season back in the right direction.

Hjalmarsson was minus-4 in three games before getting ejected Monday at Buffalo for the hit on Jason Pominville.

“It's pretty frustrating, Hjalmarsson said. “I wanted to get off to a good start here. The first two games didn't go that good and now I got a suspension.

“It was all up last year and now it's started with some downs. That's when you really show your character. I'm just looking forward to getting back and playing the way I used to play.

Ring it up:

Former Hawks John Madden and Colin Fraser got their Stanley Cup rings Thursday, personally delivered by vice president and assistant to the president Al MacIsaac prior to the game between Minnesota and Edmonton.

“It's actually a lot bigger than it looked in the pictures, Fraser told the Edmonton Sun.

Tip-ins:

Joel Quenneville said after Friday's win that Patrick Kane was feeling much better and might play tonight against Buffalo at the United Center. … John Scott played only 3 shifts Friday, all at forward.