Feb. 24--Defenseman Erik Gustafsson wants to show the Blackhawks what he can do, and Gustafsson admitted perhaps he wanted to show them a little too much of what he can do when he is on the ice.
That's one of the reasons Gustafsson said he has been a healthy scratch in three of the Hawks' last four games, including a 6-1 loss to the Wild on Sunday.
"My game was pretty good before I got the first healthy scratch," Gustafsson said Tuesday. "Then, I was thinking I have to show them more , and then I would do something more and do something I don't have to do on the ice."
Gustafsson, who has impressed the Hawks for most of his 26 games with the team this season, will have a chance to redeem himself Thursday night when the Hawks next take the ice. He will back in the lineup, coach Joel Quenneville said, when the Hawks take on the Predators.
"He has had a couple chances. We'll get him back in and hopefully he gets comfortable back there again," Quenneville said. "But that offensive part from him really adds to our team game. It was very noticeable initially and we can use it."
Gustaffson, who is from Sweden, has played more than 55 games in a season only once in his career. He has played 53 this season between the Hawks and Rockford, but he said he does not feel any negative effects from fatigue.
"I have the energy and stuff like that for (practice), and it feels good out there too," Gustaffson said. "You can be tired sometimes, but you go to the next (drill) and then it's back to normal. That's a good thing to have. I did good work in the summer training this year, so I feel good with my body."
Hossa could skate soon: Quenneville said winger Marian Hossa could skate later this week as Hossa recovers from an apparent leg injury he suffered Feb. 13. Quenneville was unsure when Hossa may return to the lineup. Center Marcus Kruger (dislocated wrist) skated before the Hawks' practice Tuesday but is still "a ways away" from returning, Quenneville said.
Winger Patrick Kane and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson did not practice Tuesday but they are healthy and will play Thursday, Quenneville said.
chine@tribpub.com
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