Plenty of Hawks vs. ex-Hawks matchups on tap
Colin Fraser coming to the United Center on Friday with Edmonton kicked off a week in which the Blackhawks will see many of those former teammates who helped them win the Stanley Cup.
Tonight it's John Madden in Minnesota. Then next Saturday it's Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Brent Sopel and Ben Eager in Atlanta.
“It's going to be a little different seeing guys on the other team,” Patrick Sharp said. “(Fraser) is the first of many.”
Fraser was traded to the Oilers last June, just weeks after winning the Cup, for a sixth-round draft pick.
“I had two good years here,” Fraser said. “I really liked it here. I love the city, the fans, the guys everything is great.
“The Stanley Cup, I think, is No. 1. That's every kid's dream growing up to win it, especially in a city like Chicago. The parade is something I'll never forget. It was unbelievable to be a part of. I tell everybody it truly is the best city.”
It didn't surprise Fraser to be one of the guys moved out last summer because of salary-cap issues.
“Everyone knew it was coming all season,” Fraser said. “We knew the situation with the salary cap and the contracts and roughly where they were. We didn't know who or when it was going to happen. I'm sure any guy that was traded would love to stay, but it's a business. We don't really have a choice, and Chicago and Stan (Bowman) didn't have a choice either.”
Smith gets call:
Rookie winger Ben Smith was the Hawks' choice to come up from Rockford and take the injured Marian Hossa's roster spot.
The 22-year-old Smith had a goal and 3 assists in eight games at Rockford.
Why Smith and not forwards such as Kyle Beach or Igor Makarov? Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said it was a hockey decision and not a salary-cap issue.
“The guys down there are watching them play every day and every game,” Quenneville said. “Be it the need or the fit or deserving of it, he probably fits all criteria and earned the chance. He's a good professional at a young age.”
Last year at this time Smith was starring at Boston College. He was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2010 Frozen Four, helping BC win the NCAA championship.
“This is every kid's dream,” Smith said before making his NHL debut against the Oilers.
Havlat hot seat:
The Hawks will see another former teammate tonight in Minnesota in Martin Havlat, and it hasn't been a good week for him.
Havlat's agent, Allan Walsh, caused a stir this week when he sent a text to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, complaining that Wild coach Todd Richards was underutilizing Havlat and using him in “purely a secondary role.”
Richards had no comment other than to say Havlat could “handle it the way he wants.”
Havlat had no comment, but the Star Tribune reported several teammates, including captain Mikko Koivu, weren't happy with Havlat or Walsh.
Tip-ins:
Brian Campbell will make the two-game road trip to Minnesota and New York but is “doubtful” to play, according to Joel Quenneville. … Defenseman John Scott was a healthy scratch for the second straight game. ... Jack Skille was knocked back down to the fourth line with Viktor Stalberg getting bumped up to the first line.