March 06--When the calendar flipped to September, Tomas Fleischmann didn't have a contract with an NHL team, but he did have the confidence that he was talented enough to earn one.
So the veteran who had played with the Capitals, Avalanche, Panthers and Ducks in his 10 seasons endured a waiting game, and just before training camps opened for the 2015-16 campaign, Fleischmann signed a tryout agreement with the Canadiens.
"I knew I still could play in this league," Fleischmann said. "I was just happy I got an opportunity. It's the best league in the world, so that's where I want to be."
Fleischmann won a job in camp and started hot for a Canadiens team that had high hopes for a run to the Stanley Cup. But things turned south for Montreal, and when it fell out of contention for the playoffs, Fleischmann became an asset to deal. That's when Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman came calling, and Fleischmann -- along with fellow forward Dale Weise -- was acquired in a trade Feb. 26.
In what has turned out to be a whirlwind season for Fleischmann, the winger now finds himself skating on the third line for the defending Cup champions who are serious contenders to repeat.
"We were fighting for the playoffs in Montreal, and it wasn't really working," Fleischmann, 31, said. "I got traded, and now I'm looking forward to playing for the Cup. I have something to play for after April."
Fleischmann has made a smooth transition to the Hawks and notched his first goal for them during a 4-2 loss to the Bruins on Thursday night in Boston. He appears to be a natural to play alongside Teuvo Teravainen and on the opposite wing of Weise.
"I like him," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Fleischmann. "He has a real purpose to his game, he thinks the game well, gives us an opportunity to play with skill, an opportunity to be responsible. We used him for a short amount of time in penalty killing. I like how he's positioned himself, the way he thinks out there as well. It's a good addition for us."
Helping matters is the chemistry Fleischmann developed with Weise on the Canadiens.
"We played probably the first 30 games together this year," Weise said. "We had instant chemistry from the first day of training camp. He's just such a smart player. He has really underrated skill. I'm more of a shooter, he's more of a passer, so it's a good combination. He's always looking for me and I like to shoot, so it's perfect."
Hossa, Kruger skating: Marian Hossa and Marcus Kruger skated Saturday after the Hawks practice. Hossa (leg injury) will not play Sunday against the Red Wings but will travel with the Hawks for Wednesday's visit with the Blues. Quenneville is "hopeful" Hossa can play then.
Kruger was expected to be out until the playoffs after fracturing his left wrist in December but Quenneville said the Hawks now expect Kruger to play a few games before then.
Winger Brandon Mashinter missed Saturday's practice because of an illness, Quenneville said.
Chicago Tribune's Chris Hine contributed.
ckuc@tribpub.com
