By Ben Meyer-Abbott bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com
Twitter: @BMACST
Forwards Marian Hossa and Viktor Stalberg are game-time decisions Saturday night when the Blackhawks host the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins, Joel Quenneville said after the morning skate.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was the bearer of some good and bad news Thursday after practice at the United Center.
BY BEN MEYER-ABBOTT
In addition to the new faces on hand at the Blackhawks Convention was a player Hawks fans became familiar with last season, but with a big smile fresh off the signing of his new contract to remain with the team.
Viktor Stalberg and the Hawks came to terms Sunday on a two-year deal worth a total of $1.75 million to avoid an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 20.
The 25-year-old winger said the plan was always to stay with the Hawks and that he was happy the two sides were able to get the deal done before arbitration.
For some reason or another, the Blackhawks' toughness often comes into question. Whether that's a warranted question is debatable.
The Hawks have shown some tenacity and abrasiveness lately. The willingness is there. Here are three examples:
Jake Dowell drills Carolina Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner, a Calder Trophy candidate.
DALLAS -- Down three goals after the Blackhawks dominated the first 20 minutes, the Dallas Stars came out hitting in the second period of Friday's game at American Airlines Center.
The results weren't good for the Hawks.
Viktor Stalberg (concussion) was cleared to play , but coach Joel Quenneville opted to stick with the same lineup that defeated the Red Wings and Kings in back-to-back games against the Predators on Wednesday.
"I'm prepared to play but they've been successful the last two games," Stalberg said. "We'll go with the same lineup. It will be good for me to get a few extra days in between and make sure I'm 100 percent."
The most disconcerting development on the Blackhawks injury front Saturday was that Patrick Kane did not finish practice.
The good news is that Marian Hossa did, and he sounded more encouraged by his progress afterward.
Still, neither will play Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings. Viktor Stalberg (head) is also out.
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Blackhawks winger Viktor Stalberg raised his arms in celebration. He had just scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, putting a loose puck past San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi.
But wait ... referee Greg Kimmerly had whistled the play dead. The goal was no good. Kimmerly thought Niemi had the puck buried in his pads after stopping Jack Skille's initial shot.
Adam L. Jahns is a native Chicagoan hailing from the Far Northwest Side. Jahns has been with the Sun-Times since 2005, covering the Hawks since 2009. He's also helped cover the Bears, Cubs, Sox and high schools.
