Hawks' Eager to add punch to lineup
Physical winger returning to ice after suspension
After watching the Blackhawks lose their first three games while he served a suspension for a preseason altercation, left winger Ben Eager can't wait to return tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes (2-0) at the United Center.
''I'm really excited about getting back on the ice to do what they brought me here to do,'' Eager said Tuesday after practice at The Edge in Bensenville. ''And that is to play hard, finish my checks, go to the nets, be a hard player to play against and be reliable on the defensive end.''
(AP file)
Although he was picked by the Coyotes (23rd overall) in the 2002 draft, the 6-2, 220-pound Eager never played for them. He was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Mike Comrie deal in 2004, then to the Hawks last season for Jim Vandermeer.
After being outscored 11-6 in three games, the Hawks obviously need more goal-scoring, as well as improved defensive play. Don't expect Eager to improve scoring. He never has had more than six goals and five assists in any of his three NHL seasons.
''But he'll provide an energy that we have been missing in our first three games,'' defenseman Brent Seabrook said. ''He's big and physical and adds an element of toughness to our team.''
Hawks coach Denis Savard said his team has been improving every game, and he agrees that the return of Eager, who plays on the fourth line, will boost the morale of a team that is making bad decisions and committing too many turnovers.
''[Eager] will be one of our best with Buff [6-3, 246-pound forward Dustin Byfuglien] in physical play,'' Savard said, ''and I expect him to be on the ice for goals-for, every night possibly, but not to have any goals-against. That's basically what his role is. He's an energy guy.''
The Hawks, the league's second-youngest team, will need a lot of energy tonight against the Coyotes, the league's youngest team.
''They skate; they skate and play very well,'' Savard said. ''They got two veteran defensemen in [Derek] Morris and [Ed] Jovanovski that really settle things down for them. Their goaltending has been great, and their forwards are like ours. They've got lots of potential and a lot of skill."
Perhaps Eager's size and raw aggression can help knock the young Coyotes off stride. Adding a goal or assist would make his return even more productive.
''I'm a physical player,'' he said. ''But I also believe I can score some goals in this league, and I've worked hard this summer to improve in that area.''
Team captain Jonathan Toews said he believes Eager can score goals once he believes in himself and puts his mind to it.
''But right now, we will settle for his grit, his energy and his ability to create offense,'' Toews said. ''He can skate, he's often in the red areas of the defensive zone and he's dominant in a lot of areas.''
Eager doesn't think the 0-2-1 record reflects how good the Hawks really are.
''We can break out at any time,'' Eager said. ''We have lots of chances, the guys are working hard and it just takes a few games for us to get into a rhythm. We're going to be fine."