Hawks add defensive depth by signing Cullimore

There is no such thing as having too much depth on defense for the playoffs, which apparently is why the Blackhawks signed veteran Jassen Cullimore to a contract for the rest of the season Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Cullimore, a Hawk from 2005-07, has played all season at Rockford and that is where he will stay for the time being.

Cullimore signed a pro tryout contract with Rockford on Oct. 22 and has appeared in 40 games with the American Hockey League team.

The Hawks went into the Olympic break with defenseman Brent Sopel banged up and missing the last two games with a lower-body injury.

Assuming the Hawks go into the playoffs with a top six on defense of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell, Kim Johnsson, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Sopel, the only insurance they had on the back end with NHL experience before signing Cullimore was Jordan Hendry.

Johnsson was acquired last Friday from Minnesota and played well in weekend wins over Atlanta and Columbus.

The Hawks return from the Olympic break on Feb. 25, which will provide Johnsson at least five much-needed practices to learn coach Joel Quenneville system before the next game March 2 against the Islanders.

"There's a ton to take in," Johnsson said.

Johnsson appeared to pick up the system well in his first two games, showing he can play the kind of puck possession, attacking game from the defense that Quenneville wants.

"I think everybody is going to appreciate what he can do," Quenneville said. "His puck possession and his movement with the puck and his anticipation defensively and offensively is real strong."

Before he left for the break Johnsson had no worries about fitting into the Hawks' tight-knit dressing room.

"Hockey teams are the same all over, I find," Johnsson said. "It's a great bunch of guys and you fit in pretty easily. The mentality is pretty much the same on all the teams. I just think you have to do the best you can to fit in."