Winger Tootoo has learned how to stay prepared
NEWARK, N. J.— Winger Jordin Tootoo had two shifts in less than a minute early in the second periodMonday against the Flames. He spent the next 19 minutes of game time on the bench until coach Joel Quenneville finally called his number early in the third period.
For some players, it can be difficult to stay loose, warm and ready for such extended periods. But Tootoo has spent much of his career on the fringe of the roster and knows how to be ready at any moment.
‘‘ Ultimately, it’s mind over matter,’’ Tootoo said before the Hawks’ game against the Devils, for whom he played the last two seasons. ‘‘ We’re professionals, and you’ve got to make sure you’re ready for whatever’s put in front of you.
‘‘ For me, it might be a little easier to adjust, but it’s about being a pro. You’ve got to prepare yourself daily. It’s a grind, and I always tell myself it’s mind over matter.’’
The Hawks’ most glaring hole in the early going— besides their historically bad penalty kill, of course— has been the lack of a four- line rotation. When the Hawks are at their best, the fourth line is playing anywhere from eight to 12 minutes a night. But Tootoo has played less than six minutes in four of the first seven games because the Hawks too often have found themselves down and chasing a lead in the third period.
But Tootoo, Marcus Kruger and Dennis Rasmussen have been the Hawks’ most effective line in terms of puck possession. It’s a smaller sample size than the guys playing 20 minutes a night, but only Artemi Panarin and Jonathan Toews have better possession numbers among Hawks forwards than those three.
Against the Devils, Quenneville moved Kruger up to the third line and had Nick Schmaltz centering Rasmussen and Tootoo.
‘‘ They’ve been fine,’’ Quenneville said of Rasmussen and Tootoo. ‘‘[ Tootoo has] been very good, and he gives us energy, plays responsibly [ and has] good enthusiasm on the bench and on the ice. [ Rasmussen] has been very effective since he’s been in the lineup, as well.’’
Does that mean they’ll start seeing more playing time? Well, that depends on whether the Hawks are protecting a lead or chasing one.
Help on theway
With winger Andrew Desjardins expected to start skating any day now, the Hawks’ beleaguered penalty kill might be getting a lift.
Desjardins played more short- handed minutes than any Hawks forward last season. In his absence, TylerMotte and Rasmussen have been getting some PK time.
‘‘ We’ll keep trying things until we get it right,’’ Quenneville said. ‘‘[ Desjardins has] done it in the past, and he’s had some good stretches and some ordinary stretches. But he’s capable of being a killer. One more guy that definitely will be considered.’’
Roster report
Defenseman Gustav Forsling missed the game against the Devils with an upper- body injury, but Quenneville was hopeful he could play Sunday against the Kings. Forward Vinnie Hinostroza was a healthy scratch for the fourth consecutive game.