Strome finally makes season debut for Blackhawks
After sitting out the first four games, Dylan Strome made his season debut during the Blackhawks' 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at the United Center on Thursday.
Strome centered the third line with Alex DeBrincat and Henrik Borgstrom as his wingers. He nearly scored on his first shift off a feed from DeBrincat, but his wrist shot was saved by goalie Thatcher Demko.
Strome was also part of a key sequence that gave Vancouver a 5-on-3 power play, however, when he took a hooking penalty late in the second period. Connor Murphy went to the box 12 seconds later for slashing, leading to a Brock Boeser goal that gave the Canucks a 3-1 lead.
Strome has tried to stay positive during the prolonged benching, but admitted it's been difficult at times.
"Just work hard in practice, be a good team guy, be happy around the rink."
Strome has been the subject of trade rumors and there were scouts from 15 teams at Thursday's game. He's grateful for the immense support he's received from Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Connor Murphy and others.
"Sometimes when you're not playing it feels like you're an outcast a little bit," he said. "We're doing line rushes and you're not on the lines. ... But lot of really good guys and good leaders in that room. I can't even count how many guys came up to me and said, 'Stay with it.''
Mike Hardman (concussion protocol), Phillipp Kurashev and Adam Gaudette did not play. Kurashev had a strong camp, but Colliton felt it was time for a change after his team's winless start.
Special moment:
Former Hawks center and WGN radio analyst Troy Murray made an appearance at morning skate Thursday, sitting in his customary top-row spot in the 100 level of the United Center. Murray, who is battling cancer, was heartily greeted by media members and Hawks staff.
Then, as morning skate concluded, Jonathan Toews gathered players at center ice, spoke a few words and led a long stick-tap salute that brought Murray to tears.
"As a player and broadcaster here, he's a big part of the Blackhawks family," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "Been thinking of him when he's been gone, but for him to be here is a good sign."
Lankinen gets call:
Jeremy Colliton elected to go with Kevin Lankinen in net over Marc-Andre Fleury against the Canucks. It's been a rough start to the season for Fleury, who won the Vezina Trophy last year as the league's best goaltender. He has an .840 save percentage and 5.63 goals against average in three games.
"We have two really good goaltenders and that's a strength we feel we will have all year," Colliton said. "You're going to play 82 games; we're gonna use both goalies."