Quenneville dealing with 'tricky' time of the season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been through a lot of trade deadlines with another one approaching a week from today.

While there is less apprehen- sion in the Hawks' dressing room than in past years with general manager Dale Tallon expected to be a buyer and not a seller, Quenneville still calls it a "tricky" time of the year for a coach.

"There are certain situations when there's more rumblings than other years," Quenneville said. "One thing I always say is you can only control what you can control and go from there.

"You've got to keep your team's focus and mind in the right areas. There are trade deadlines where there's been a lot of moves, and then none. I've been through every single scenario and it's not easy on players, especially for those being mentioned."

The rumors now are more about whom the Hawks might be interested in adding, likely a depth center. Among the centers who figure to be available that fit that description are Tampa Bay's Jeff Halpern, Toronto's Dominic Moore and Anaheim's Sami Pahlsson.

Full speed ahead: Now that the Hawks have made it through their long stretch of road games, Joel Quenneville isn't concerned about a letdown.

The Hawks have had only one real lull along the way this season, before the all-star break, when they went 1-2-1. There hasn't been a losing streak longer than three games.

"In our room the guys are competitive and consistent," Quenneville said. "I find with younger teams you have energy throughout the team, and I think you see it with our group. That's a good sign. There's a lot of enthusiasm."

The Hawks play their next three games at home, as well as seven of eight and 14 of 18.

Special recognition: The Blackhawks Alumni Association announced its 2009 Keith Magnuson scholarship recipients. Honored were Brooke Wittleder of New Trier, Tyler Gregory of Fremd and David Svac of Neuqua Valley.

Tip-ins: In case nobody noticed, Jonathan Toews' goal Sunday against Minnesota came at 10:03 of the second period. Three seconds sooner and a second fan would have won $1 million. - Sidney Crosby, who comes to town with the Penguins on Friday, left practice Tuesday with a sore groin and is probable for tonight's game against the Islanders. - Country music star Taylor Swift attended Tuesday's game.