Walking into United Center a bit of surreal moment for Boqvist
Adam Boqvist admitted it felt "a little bit weird" to walk into the United Center for the first time since the Blackhawks traded him to Columbus for Seth Jones in July.
Plenty of memories came flooding back - from draft day to his first NHL game to his first NHL goal - for the 21-year-old defenseman before the Blue Jackets took on the Hawks on Thursday.
Boqvist was taken eighth overall by the Hawks in 2018 and played 76 games in Chicago from 2019-21.
He lived with Alex DeBrincat for two years and soaked up plenty of advice from future Hall-of-Famer Duncan Keith.
He's dealt with injuries and COVID this season, but has been a staple in the lineup when healthy and is currently on the second power-play unit.
"Overall I'm the same guy, but just a year older and a little bit stronger and better," said Boqvist, who leads Columbus' defensemen with 9 goals despite missing 13 games.
Boqvist had dinner with DeBrincat and Brandon Hagel Wednesday. Boqvist texts DeBrincat any time the Hawks' forward scores - "so pretty much every game" - and also FaceTimes his buddy every week.
The trade to Columbus may have been a bit disappointing at first, but he said he moved on pretty quickly.
"That's just life," Boqvist said. "It moves on. It's not like (DeBrincat and I) are never gonna see each other. It was good to see him last night and I saw him at Christmas."
Toews update:
Jonathan Toews, who is in concussion protocol, took a quick spin on the ice before Thursday's morning skate at the United Center. Toews was also in a UC hallway working out as the media headed into the interview room.
The Hawks' captain has missed the last seven games and there is no timetable for his return.
"I just told him it was nice to see him getting his gear on and hanging around the room," said interim coach Derek King. "And it was. Guys were sitting talking to him. That's the kind of stuff we miss from him, but I think it's good for his well-being, too."
He said it:
"In his first game I told him, 'Just don't mess it up. You've got millions of people watching.' "
- A joking Derek King on what he told goalie Arvid Soderblom before his first NHL start Jan. 2.
Slap shots:
Ryan Carpenter snapped a 69-game goal-scoring drought when he tied Thursday's game against Columbus at 14:21 of the first period. ... Philipp Kurashev returned to the lineup Thursday after sitting out the Hawks' 5-1 win over Winnipeg on Monday. He scored a first-period goal, his fourth of the season, then assisted on Carpenter's goal. ... Opponents are converting on 34.5% of their power-play chances (10 of 29) against the Hawks in the last 10 games. ... Dominik Kubalik has no goals and 11 shots on goal in his last seven games. ... Kirby Dach has a goal and 5 assists in his last six games. ... Forward Tyler Johnson is expected to return to game action in a week or two. ... Goalie Kevin Lankinen (hand) could return at the end of February, coach Derek King said.