8 ’men in? Forsling’s return will force decision
When Gustav Forsling returns from his upper-torso injury, the Blackhawks will face a defensive conundrum. And it appears coach
Jeremy Colliton still isn’t sure what he’s going to do.
Asked if he would keep eight defensemen, Colliton said: “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
The problem is the Hawks are inching closer to that bridge as Forsling is improving and skating with the team.
The Hawks haven’t discussed sending Forsling, 22, to Rockford, Colliton said, but the move remains an option.
Before going on injured reserve this month, Forsling, who has split the last three seasons between the Hawks and Rockford, had six points in 19 games while averaging 18:46.
Colliton previously said he likes the competition on the blue line and is hoping a solid sixth defenseman emerges.
But for now, he wants to give everyone a chance.
“In a perfect world, I’d like the guys we’re trying to evaluate not to be in and out, to be able to play a few games in a row,” he said. “To do that, there needs to be a rotation.”
The Hawks scratched Carl Dahlstrom on Tuesday against the Islanders.
He was replaced by Henri Jokiharju, 19, who was paired with Erik Gustafsson.
Colliton said sitting Dahlstrom, who was minus-1 with one assist in 22:35 against the Capitals on Sunday, was not a reflection of his performance.
“He’s been great, love how he’s playing,” Colliton said. “That’s the conversation I had with him yesterday. He’s been a nice surprise for us and played big minutes and tough, tough matchups.
“It’s a chance for him to get a rest. He was good last game; he can go into the break feeling good about himself.”
Gustafsson a forward?
Gustafsson hasn’t played a forward position since he was 12 or 13, but if the Hawks asked, he’d be up for the challenge.
“I want to try it,” he said without hesitation. “I think it’d be fun.”
Gustafsson leads the Hawks’ blue-liners in scoring with eight goals in 47 games. He had 12 of his 22 assists in the last 11 games entering Tuesday.
Though being a forward has crossed his mind, Gustafsson said he probably doesn’t want to try it now.
“Maybe when I get older or something,” said Gustafsson, who’s 26. “Right now, I want to play ‘D.’ ”
Other injury updates
Left wing Brendan Perlini was on the ice with the team for the first time since Saturday, when he was put in the concussion protocol. Perlini, who has one goal and three assists since arriving in a trade with the Coyotes in November, was injured Thursday in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers.
Meanwhile, there was no sign of goalie Corey Crawford, who has skated with the team once since suffering a concussion Dec. 16.