Can call-ups help spark slumping Blackhawks team?
As training camp was coming to a close in September, Dylan Sikura admitted he was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
"There's a lot thrown at you within these two weeks … and you kind of catch yourself thinking too much out there," said the 23-year-old forward.
Just days later, the Blackhawks sent Sikura to the minors to grow his game with the Rockford IceHogs.
Well, Sikura did exactly that and was called up - along with defenseman Carl Dahlstrom - from Rockford on Wednesday to play against Pittsburgh at the United Center.
Forward Alexandre Fortin was assigned to Rockford.
Sikura had 9 goals and 9 assists in 26 games with the IceHogs, and his 90 shots on goal ranked third in the AHL through Tuesday.
"I'm in a lot better spot," said Sikura, who skated on a line with David Kampf and Brendan Perlini against the Penguins. "I think the adjustments to the pro hockey level is pretty tough and I kind of found out the hard way."
The Hawks took Sikura in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. He played four seasons for Northeastern University, posting back-to-back 20-goal seasons as a junior and senior.
Before camp began, some speculated that Sikura was ticketed for the top line with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad, but that never came to fruition. Now he's just hoping to take advantage of this huge opportunity on a struggling team that could use some help filling the net.
"I mean I think you got to be human to feel a little bit of pressure," Sikura said. "But that's good and that's part of the game and that's part of the reason why you love to play the game. Obviously it's a little magnified here playing in Chicago in an organization like this, but I think it comes with the territory."
Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said it's important to reward players who are thriving in the minors. He also hinted there could be more call-ups coming.
"There is opportunity in our top nine," Colliton said. "(Sikura is) one of those guys who can play that game. There are other guys. The opportunity's there for them, too. So we'll see who steps forward."
The 6-foot-4, 231-pound Dahlstrom had 3 assists in 11 games last season with the Hawks and 6 goals and 31 assists with Rockford in 78 games (including playoffs). Like Sikura, Dahlstrom was one of the last cuts at training camp. He had a goal and 7 assists in 22 games with the IceHogs.
"It's nice to have a big body and he's familiar with how we want to play, too," Colliton said.
Dahlstrom was on the third 'D' pairing with Connor Murphy against the Penguins. He registered an assist when his shot deflected off Andreas Martinsen and into the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead at 14:14 of the first period.
Fortin flashed his trademark speed almost every chance he got, but the 21-year-old failed to finish on many golden opportunities. He had 3 goals (1 of which was short-handed) and 3 assists in 24 games.
Anisimov goes on IR:
The Blackhawks placed center Artem Anisimov on injured reserve (concussion protocol), retroactive to Dec. 9. Anisimov (6G, 9A in 31 GP) was hurt on a hit by Montreal's Shea Weber that sent his head crashing into the sideboards. There is no timetable for Anisimov's return.
Slap shots:
Chris Kunitz and Jan Rutta were the Hawks' healthy scratches against Pittsburgh. … The NHL announced that Weezer will headline the entertainment for the Winter Classic.