Slumping Michael Frolik gets another chance
By ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com February 23, 2012 10:30PM
Hawks center Jonathan Toews waits for a face off draw during the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues February 19, 2012 at the United Center. | TOM CRUZE~Sun-Times
Related Stories
Updated: March 25, 2012 8:19AM
Blackhawks winger Michael Frolik had hit a low point in his career. Frolik, signed to a three-year, $7 million deal, had been a healthy scratch in five consecutive games and has played 23 consecutive games without a goal.
“I wasn’t in this position before where I didn’t score in a long time,” said Frolik, who played in his second game in a row Thursday against the Dallas Stars. “Before, I usually had some goals. It’s hard to not think about it. It was a hard time.”
Frolik hasn’t been used in offensive situations like he was with his previous team, the Florida Panthers. He’s been mainly used in a checking role.
“I was in a different position in Florida,” Frolik said. “I was more on the power play and stuff. It’s different here. We have more better players. It’s harder to get a chance. But I respect that. I don’t care what my role is on the team if it’s checking or scoring, I’ll do it. I’ll try to do the best with what the coaches ask.”
On the blue line
Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (concussion symptoms) returned to the Hawks lineup after missing seven games in a row, but coach Joel Quenneville said there is “no change” regarding the status of defenseman Steve Montador (upper body).
“It would be nice to give you a timeline on it, but we don’t have the precise look or forecast where he’s going to be with the injury and the process,” Quenneville said. Roster move
The Hawks signed goalie Carter Hutton to a two-way contract after he previously played under an AHL contract with Rockford.
