Hawks reward Sharp with 4-year extension
While the Blackhawks' kids have received much of the publicity this season, somehow Patrick Sharp has flown under the radar a bit, even though he's arguably the team's MVP.
One guy who knew better was general manager Dale Tallon, who Thursday signed the 26-year-old center to a four-year contract extension worth $15.6 million.
"He's earned it," Tallon said. "He's developed into a team leader and an all-around class act."
Sharp already has surpassed his season highs in goals with 22 and points with 36. He leads the league in short-handed goals with 7 and in short-handed points with 9.
"We wanted to send a message that we're committed to winning here," Tallon said.
Tallon has put his money where his mouth is the past two weeks, first with the signing of defenseman Brent Sopel and now with Sharp, who would've been a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
There still is a little work to do, however. Defensemen Brent Seabrook, James Wisniewski and Dustin Byfuglien, along with forward Tuomo Ruutu, all are restricted free agents after this season.
Bad news? For the past couple of weeks it has seemed as though injured Blackhawks center Jason Williams (groin) always was just a couple of weeks away from returning to the lineup.
Now it turns out the wait might be longer.
A lot longer.
"We'll have an answer (soon) on whether he might require surgery," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "There's a possibility of that … or maybe not. We'll know more in the next day or two."
Losing Williams for an extended period of time would be a huge setback for the Hawks. The veteran center had 19 points in 20 games and was averaging just more than 17 minutes of ice time per game.
Also on the injury front, Savard said winger Kris Versteeg, who injured his shoulder Wednesday against St. Louis, may go on the shelf for a week.
"It's a bruised shoulder and he's pretty sore," Savard said. "I'd like to keep him in the lineup and play him, but he's got to be healthy. It's tough to play with a bad wing."
The Adams family: The Hawks added some depth -- and grit -- Thursday when they obtained right wing Craig Adams from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft.
The 30-year-old Adams has 33 goals in 427 games, but the more telling number might be his 337 penalty minutes.
"We know what he's going to bring us; he's going to bring energy, he's going to kill penalties, and he can skate and create some havoc," coach Denis Savard said. "He's a veteran guy. He's got grit, speed, he's a Stanley Cup champion. I think he's going to fit well."
Just chillin': Defenseman Brent Sopel skated briefly before Thursday's spirited 40-minute practice. Not on the ice at all were veterans Robert Lang and Martin Lapointe (flu).
"We don't want Sopel to overdo it with his hand, and Lang was just getting some rest," coach Denis Savard said.
Lapointe, whose consecutive-games streak of 254 came to a halt Wednesday, still was feeling the effects of the flu and didn't make it to the United Center at all.
"He's still feeling under the weather pretty bad," Savard said.
Tonight's faceoff
Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center, 8 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
The skinny: If the Blackhawks want to continue any talk of making the playoffs, they're going to have to become road warriors beginning tonight against an Avalanche team (25-18-3) that is minus headliners Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth, in addition to leading scorer Paul Stastny, who will miss two weeks after having his appendix removed. Thirteen of the Hawks' next 17 games are on the road.
Player to watch: Patrick Lalime. The goalie has been on a roll, leading the Hawks to back-to-back wins and going for three straight tonight.
Next: Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, 8 p.m. Saturday
-- Mike Spellman