Hawks coach Joel Quenneville says Corey Crawford is fine

Corey Crawford wasn't in goal for the Blackhawks on Thursday night against Winnipeg, but coach Joel Quenneville insisted it had nothing to do with the minor injury that kept the team's No. 1 goaltender out of practice for two days earlier this week.

Quenneville said he just thought it was a good time for backup Ray Emery to get his first start with his new team.

“Corey is ready to go,” Quenneville said. “We just wanted to get Ray playing.

“Corey has started so many games in row, it was nice to get the other guy involved and get his first start at home.”

Crawford dressed as Emery's backup after Alexander Salak was returned to Rockford early on Thursday.

“I feel 100 percent,” Crawford said. “I'm ready to go now. Ray's got to play some games, too.”

It will be interesting to see if Crawford is healthy enough to start Saturday's marquee matchup against Stanley Cup champion Boston at the United Center.

Moving on:Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd returned to the UC for the first time since leaving the Hawks following the 2010 Stanley Cup win.While both ex-Hawks hated to leave at the time of their trade to Atlanta, the change has worked out for both players.Byfuglien got a new five-year, $26 million contract from the Thrashers, while Ladd signed a new four-year, $22 million deal. Ladd is also the Jets' captain and plays a more prominent role as evidenced by his 29 goals last season with Atlanta.#8220;I guess right away I was kind of disappointed, but the more I look at things it was obviously a good thing,#8221; Byfuglien said.Ladd also appreciates what has happened to him.#8220;I had a lot of great memories there, it will always be a special place for me,#8221; he said. #8220;I had a great three years there, I met a lot of great people and lifelong friends, but it worked out better for me moving on and taking on a bigger role. If I was still there I might still be playing in a third-line checking role and wouldn't have all the opportunity I got in Atlanta last year and moving forward here.#8221;Taking a backseat:The Winnipeg Free Press called Jonathan Toews the city's most prominent athlete over the last five years.Now that there is an NHL team in Winnipeg again, Toews joked that things have changed for him.#8220;I went from being the hometown boy to the enemy,#8221; Toews said. #8220;I got texts from friends saying we're not cheering for you (Thursday), we're cheering for the Jets.#8221;Toews said he grew up a huge Jets fan and was crushed when the team picked up and moved to Phoenix in 1996.Lasting impression:A combination of too many forwards and the need for more seasoning led to Brandon Saad being sent back to juniors.#8220;Numbers were part of it,#8221; Joel Quenneville said. #8220;Danny (Carcillo) being suspended gave us a chance to see him in NHL games. He had a great camp and deserved the chance to begin here. Certainly with (Viktor Stalberg and Ben Smith) coming back it was numbers, but the kid has a great future. There's nothing but upside with him.#8221;Tip-ins:Joel Quenneville said Viktor Stalberg (knee) and Ben Smith (concussion) might play Saturday against Boston. ... Sean O'Donnell turned 40 Thursday and found a walker in front of his locker when he arrived at the UC.