Hjalmarsson a great fit for Hawks' blue line
Niklas Hjalmarsson came along just when the Blackhawks needed someone like him the most.
With general manager Dale Tallon having to move James Wisniewski at the trade deadline in order to get checking center Sammy Pahlsson, and with Tallon unable to deal for another defenseman, a hole opened on the blue line that Hjalmarsson is filling nicely.
The 21-year-old rookie played almost 23 minutes in Wednesday's 6-5 win over San Jose and made a terrific blue line to blue line pass on the tape to Andrew Ladd in the third period to set up one of Ladd's 2 goals.
Hjalmarsson has quickly gained coach Joel Quenneville's trust to earn top-four minutes.
"We've always liked him in the organization," Quenneville said. "He's immediately had a presence on the back end and is really poised back there. He reads and assesses plays very well. He's very patient and strong and looks comfortable on each assignment you give him. He's been great back there, a sponge almost, handling every situation."
Hjalmarsson's confidence has soared ever since his recall from Rockford.
"It's been going better and better," Hjalmarsson said. "The coaches are playing me more and more, and I'm getting more confident. I think I'm playing pretty good right now, but I know I can be better."
The Hawks expect Hjalmarsson to mature into a physical player as he gains experience. Hjalmarsson has been a feared open-ice hitter wherever he has played.
"I think you want to take the hits that are there," Quenneville said. "You don't want to go out of position.
"He's one of those guys like Niklas Kronwall in Detroit, where he has those type of hits. (Hjalmarsson) has that in his repertoire, but being steady and reliable and dependable as he's been, to ask him to start looking for hits, you start getting out of position. He's not going to be an easy guys to play against and you better keep your head up."
Hjalmarsson believes the big hits will come in time.
"At first when you get called up, the thing you focus most on is your defense," he said. "It would be fun to show a big asset of my game, the physical aspect, but I don't want to get out of position either. I have to choose my hits wisely."
Hjalmarsson has also helped the struggling Brian Campbell ever since Quenneville paired them together with Campbell going to the right side.
"They've worked well together and complement each other," Quenneville said. "I think (Campbell) on the right side, he's more confident, there's more pace in his game offensively, he's been more assertive and is skating better."
While Campbell has been hearing more boos at the United Center, Quenneville defends what the defenseman means to the team.
"He really provides an element for our team," Quenneville said. "He's a very important player, having that upside skating the puck out of the zone, entering with possession on the power play and as a dangerous weapon from the back end.
"Defensively, he kills plays in our own end and he starts our attack. Everyone is looking for that type of guy. He's a top point producer on the defense in the league. It's today's type of defenseman."
Tonight's faceoff
Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WGN 720-AM
At a glance: The Devils have lost two in a row for the first time since early January and three of their last four games. Coach Brent Sutter gave his team Tuesday and Wednesday off because he felt the Devils had "hit a wall." The teams met last week in New Jersey with the Devils winning 3-2. Patrick Elias (leg) is expected to play. In goal, it's Martin Brodeur against Nikolai Khabibulin.
Next: Vancouver Canucks at the United Center, 6 p.m. Sunday.