Hossa hopes Hansen learns from hit
The reaction of Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault to Jannik Hansen's one-game suspension for elbowing Marian Hossa in the back of the head did not sit well with the Blackhawks' star winger.
Vigneault told reporters in Vancouver that he was surprised Hansen even got a penalty.
“Of course, their coach is going to protect his player, that's how it is,” Hossa said Friday. “Their coach wouldn't like it if it happened to their player. He would have reacted differently.
“I think the guys should learn from banging other players in the head. The PA (players association) and the NHL have tried to make big statements on that. Hopefully he'll learn from that.”
Hossa said he did not suffer a concussion and that the test he passed Friday in order to play against the Sharks took place on a computer.
“I feel good,” Hossa said. “Otherwise, if I had a little doubt, I wouldn't play and I wouldn't practice. Everything is clear. I was a little shaky right after the punch in the head, but (Thursday) was better and I felt good this morning.
“They (the team) asked me if I was sure and ready to go. I believe in my instincts and they believe in me. I went through that before so I know myself.”
Hossa is not concerned that another concussion is right around the corner.
“When the big hit happened in the playoffs, I was a little worried,” Hossa said. “But I took a long time and had all the testing and my head was clear again.”
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville was convinced Hossa was OK to play Friday.
“That's the first step — he's got to make sure he's comfortable and we're comfortable with him playing,” Quenneville said. “We always look at the history and there are some hurdles and tests that you've got to pass.”
Carcillo back as well:
Left winger Daniel Carcillo returned to the lineup Friday after missing 15 games with a strained right knee.
Carcillo skated on the fourth line with Marcus Kruger and Michal Frolik.
“Nice to see Danny back,” Joel Quenneville said. “We can use him in a couple spots. We'll probably start him with Krugs and Fro and go from there.”
Carcillo was hurt in the Jan. 19 season opener at Los Angeles, this after he missed more than a year with a torn left ACL.
“When you miss as much time as I have the last two years, you realize how much you love this game and love being around the guys,” Carcillo said. “It puts everything into perspective. We have a short (hockey) life span. I'm definitely taking it day by day and living in the moment, for sure. It's exciting this injury wasn't worse, and I'm just happy to get back.”
Carcillo started the season skating on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa but lost that spot to rookie Brandon Saad.
“He's certainly chomping at the bit,” Quenneville said of Carcillo. “We know he's wanted to play the last couple of games. The way he plays, we want to make sure he has that thought on how he approaches games and shifts. He has to play one way, that's his style and we expect him to do that. We don't see him having any apprehensions.”
Montador sighting:
Defenseman Steve Montador took part in Friday's morning skate for the first time this season.
Montador remains on injured reserve with a concussion suffered last season.
“He's going to have to go through practices here and get himself where he's ready to play,” Joel Quenneville said. “He's cleared some hurdles where he can be inserted on some practices and he'll tell us when he's ready to go.”
Tip-ins:
Corey Crawford, who missed the last three games with a suspected concussion, backed up Ray Emery on Friday. … Goalie Henrik Karlsson was sent back to Rockford. … Defenseman Brent Seabrook was back in the lineup after missing Tuesday's game against Vancouver with a lower body injury. ... The Hawks announced Friday that all weekend passes for their sixth annual convention July 26-28 at the Hilton Chicago had sold out.