Leddy back to Rockford to get more playing time
As the Blackhawks continue to try to figure things out, particularly defensively, they did make one decision Sunday.
In a move that shouldn't have come as a surprise, 19-year-old defenseman Nick Leddy was assigned to Rockford.
Leddy played only nine minutes in Saturday's 4-3 win over Buffalo and was minus-1. He was minus-1 with 1 goal in six games and had moments when he looked very sure of himself on the ice.
However, the Hawks obviously decided he needed to go play a lot of minutes in the minors.
Leddy also carried a $1.11 million cap hit, which is now off the books.
Veteran Jassen Cullimore stays for now. He was minus-1 in 13 minutes Saturday when he wasn't as good as in Friday's win at Columbus.
The Hawks were able to beat the Sabres on Saturday despite allowing 41 shots on goal. Coach Joel Quenneville doesn't think the Hawks' team game is quite where it needs to be.
“I think our puck possession or puck protection or puck retrieval or influencing the pucks when we don't have it is an area for improvement in our team game, Quenneville said. “There's room for improvement where we need to be, and that's what we'll try to get better at.
Sorting things out on defense behind Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson is an ongoing process. With Leddy now gone, Quenneville is left with Nick Boynton, John Scott, Cullimore and Jordan Hendry to use as he sees fit unless general manager Stan Bowman has something else in mind in terms of finding help.
“We've had a different lineup, be it up front or on the back, every game so far and a little continuity and predictability in the lineup, let alone our team game, is something that's been a little bit in flux, Quenneville said.
“I think that's something we'll strive to achieve where it's way more predictable and hopefully we have more consistency with our lineup as well.
Marian Hossa thinks it's still a matter of the new players trying to blend with the old.
“We're getting slowly better, Hossa said. “Some parts of the game we're not on the same page, which is understandable because there are still lots of guys from different places coming here.
“Sometimes it's not going to be pretty, but I'm sure over time we'll get on the same page more and more.
Hot sticks:
Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp each have 5 goals after six games Sharp with 4 in the last two games.
“He's got a hot stick right now and the puck is coming to him so I told him keep shooting, Hossa said of his teammate.
Hossa should keep shooting as well.
“I just feel pretty good, feel in shape, Hossa said. “When I'm getting good passes, I try to do something with them. I feel I have good movement right now and things are going in a good way.
“When the confidence is there good things will happen for you. Sharpie right now is shooting everything at the net and things are going his way. It's the same way with me. We just have to keep doing it as long as the stick is hot.
Tip-ins:
Marty Turco is expected to start in goal Monday night against St. Louis at the United Center after his back-to-back wins over Columbus and Buffalo in which he stopped 68 of 73 shots. … Joel Quenneville said Jack Skille was a healthy scratch Saturday because he wanted John Scott's muscle in the lineup at forward.
Blackhawks game day
<p>St. Louis Blues at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: Comcast SportsNet</p>
<p>Radio: WGN 720-AM</p>
<p>Game notes: The Hawks get their first look at their Central Division rivals with Jaroslav Halak in goal. The Blues are 0-1-1 on the road and missing tough guy Cam Janssen (concussion).</p>
<p>Last season: The Hawks were 4-2-0 against the Blues.</p>
<p>Next: Vancouver Canucks at the United Center, 8 p.m. Wednesday.</p>