SUNRISE, Fla. Teuvo Teravainen doesnt expect to make up for Patrick Kanes absence all by himself. But it doesnt mean he wont try.
I dont feel pressure, but I know I have a chance to step in and make a difference, the Blackhawks rookie said. Just play my best and try to help the team.
With Kane out for about 12 weeks and with general manager Stan Bowman still in pursuit of veteran forwards before Mondays trade deadline, Teravainen returned to the NHL and the Hawks lineup Thursday night against the Florida Panthers.
Teravainen was back with Bryan Bickell and Andrew Shaw, with whom he played most of the time during his previous 15-game stint with the Hawks. Only this time, he was centering them, playing his natural position instead of right wing.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said it will be incumbent on all four lines to pick up the scoring with Kane who was tied for the league lead in points when he suffered a broken clavicle on Tuesday sidelined.
There are some lines here that havent scored a lot lately, Quenneville said. If we get some sprinkled-in goals from everyone, thats what were really looking for.
Teravainen hopes to be a part of that, while continuing to play responsible defense. He had two goals and two assists in his 15 games with the Hawks.
I think we have good lines on our team that can score, he said. We need to play good defense, thats for sure. But I think we can have some offense, too. I want to play good on the offensive side, and make some plays and create some chances. Im excited to come back here. Lets get back to work.
Minor dealThe Hawks made a small trade on Thursday, swapping minor-league journeymen by sending defenseman T.J. Brennan to Toronto for forward Spencer Abbott. Brennan, who was part of the Nick Leddy trade with the Islanders, was Rockfords leading scorer with 36 points in 54 games. But at age 25 and in his sixth year in the AHL, he was unlikely to crack the NHL lineup.
As for the looming deadline, sources said Bowman was discussing possible deals with Arizona for Antoine Vermette, and Columbus for Cam Atkinson, among others. Quenneville said he believes in the lineup he has, even without Kane, but that youre always looking to get better.
We like our team, we like our locker room, we like our depth, he said. As an organization youre always talking about things. Anything that can improve your team, you look at. And I think thats probably where were at right now.
Play it smartQuenneville said he didnt want the Hawks doing anything foolish in search of retribution for Floridas Alex Petrovic, whose cross-check resulted in Kane falling into the boards and getting injured.
Youve got to be smart, Quenneville said. The priority is to win the hockey game. Play the right way. You cant worry about that stuff.
Keep the gloves onThe Internet was atwitter on Thursday after a Fox Sports personality sent out a cryptic tweet about a recent locker room fist-fight and a divided Hawks dressing room. Three sources told the Sun-Times that no such fight occurred, and Quenneville shot down the idea that theres any discord among the team.
If there is, I know nothing about it, he said. I dont think anybody knows anything about it. Its all news to me and I dont think theres anything there.
Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com Twitter: @marklazerus
Source: http://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks-hockey/7/71/399169/teuvo-teravainen-eager-help-offset-loss-patrick-kane
