SAN JOSE, Calif. — As a rookie who was just starting to establish himself in the Blackhawks lineup, the last thing Tyler Motte needed or wanted was to miss time with an injury. The fact that his initial diagnosis had him missing most or all of the always-crucial circus trip made things even worse.
So the fact that Motte was able to rejoin the Hawks ahead of schedule in Calgary last week was particularly gratifying.
“It’s always nice to come back and get back in the lineup and try to help the team win,” Motte said. “These guys are on a long road trip, so hopefully another body can help. It just felt good to get back on the ice, back in the room with the guys, and back in the game.”
Motte suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 6 against Dallas when he crashed into the boards. At that point, he had three goals and three assists in his first 12 games, and was clearly the most impressive of the Hawks’ four rookie forwards. Motte did his best to stay positive despite the setback.
“I’m sure everyone’s had injuries throughout their career,” he said. “At the next level, it’s tough, because you want to be in the lineup, you want to contribute. When you’re not able to do that, it’s tough.”
Motte returned to the lineup Saturday night in Vancouver, and joined fellow rookies Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz on an intriguing kid line Wednesday night in San Jose. In the nearly three weeks since Motte’s injury, the other three rookie forwards, including Vinnie Hinostroza, have taken big steps forward. Hinostroza is on the top line for now, with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.
“That line with the kids together, there’s some speed and offensive ability,” Joel Quenneville said. “Playing the right way — Motte probably does that the best of the young guys. We’re looking for reliability in that regard, and it’ll be fun to see what they can do together.”
Motte’s having plenty of fun now that he’s back with his teammates on the road.
“It’s my first lengthy road trip,” he said. “Even though I came a couple days late, it’s still the longest road trip I’ve been on in my career, so it’s good to get used to it, get the feet wet. It’s good to spend some meals together with the guys, some time away from the ice, on the plane, whatever it may be. It’s good to get to know them a little bit better off the ice.”
Stanley Cup hangover
The San Jose Sharks are off to a middling start (10-8-1) after reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season, falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. The Hawks know all about how tough it is to get geared up for another season after a grueling campaign that lasts into June.
“It definitely is difficult early in the season, when you have teams coming off a really long offseason and they’re fresh and they’re excited and eager to redeem themselves from maybe falling short of expectations the year before,” Toews said.
Added Quenneville: “Guys, they eventually get it, knowing it’s time to play for keeps, and [they’re] meaningful games throughout the year. Sometimes those first 20 games are the biggest challenge.”
Roster report
Michal Rozsival was back in the lineup, with Michal Kempny a healthy scratch, along with Andrew Desjardins and Jordin Tootoo. Quenneville said it was more about getting Rozsival more playing time than it was about punishing Kempny.
“[Rozsival] has played well when it’s come in,” Quenneville said. “With seven guys, we want to keep everyone moving around. Sometimes it’s not so much performance.”
It’ll soon be eight guys, as Quenneville said Trevor van Riemsdyk will be “close to playing” when the team returns to Chicago on Sunday.
Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com
Twitter: @marklazerus
