Blackhawks teammates say give Frolik time

It’s early and Michael Frolik is still getting adjusted to the Blackhawks, but his new teammates are impressed with the potential of the 22-year-old winger acquired last week from Florida.

“He’s still young, but he’s a high draft pick and he seems like he has some skill,” Marian Hossa said. “When he gets comfortable in the new system he has lots of offensive potential. We had a few good chances together (in Phoenix) and hopefully we can get something going.”

Dave Bolland joined the line with Hossa and Frolik for Wednesday’s game against Minnesota.

“He’s a good kid,” Bolland said of Frolik. “I was with him in the rookie game a few years ago (at all-star weekend) and he’s a good player. He’s a guy we can really use with all his skill.”

Patrick Kane remembers facing Frolik in various junior tournaments.

“I think he’s going to be good,” Kane said. “He reminds me a lot of that (Igor) Makarov kid, real low to the ice with the European skating style. He seems really skilled just from watching him in practice.

“I think once he gets adjusted to the team he’s going to play really well for us. I know playing against him when I was younger he was a pretty special kid. I know what he’s capable of doing.”

Kane is able:

Patrick Kane was in the lineup Wednesday after spending most of Monday and Tuesday in bed with the flu.

Kane needed what he termed a “couple bags of IV” for fluids and food Wednesday morning in order to find the strength to play.

“You still don’t feel great, but hopefully I’ll have enough energy to do the things I want to do,” Kane said before the game.

The flu bug has been running through the Hawks for weeks, affecting at least seven players to the point of missing games.

Injury report:

Center Ryan Johnson was back at practice Wednesday after taking a blow to the head Friday at Dallas.

Johnson, who had no problem admitting he suffered a concussion, is eligible to come off injured reserve Sunday and hopes to play against Pittsburgh.

“You get your bell rung a lot,” Johnson said. “Sometimes you can just dust it off.”

Fernando Pisani remains day to day with a head and neck injury suffered at Dallas. He has not resumed skating.

Odds and ends:

How many trades will be completed before the Feb. 25 deadline? The gambling site Bodog.com puts the over-under at 25.5, with the over-under of players involved at 46.5.