Brent Seabrook moving closer to returning for Blackhawks

Brent Seabrook isn’t happy to be missing time.

“It sucks. I don’t like doing this,” Seabrook said. “I haven’t done it a lot over my career, so it’s new to me and something that’s weird but with that being said I’ve got to take precautions and make sure I’m ready to go before I get back out there.”

Seabrook didn’t play Sunday night when the Blackhawks hosted the Dallas Stars. Seabrook missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury. But Seabrook, who had missed just two games over the previous four seasons, skated Sunday and expects to go on the Hawks’ upcoming road trip.

“The bags are packed,” Seabrook said.

Seabrook spent part of Sunday’s optional skate going through drills with assistant coach Mike Kitchen. And Seabrook sounded encouraged by his progress.

“I thought it was better,” Seabrook said. “I felt better waking up this morning and getting back out there, passing pucks and a little skate with Kitch at the end I thought was good. Felt good.”

Coach Joel Quenneville was “hopeful” Seabrook could play Tuesday at the New York Rangers.

Welcome, Eric

The Hawks welcomed Eric Semborski to the United Center. No, he didn’t dress but was shown on the scoreboard during the first period. Scott Darling called him on behalf of the team and invited him to Chicago, and the former emergency goalie eagerly accepted.

Semborski said he’s done around 20 media interviews since last Saturday and has gotten some fan mail.

“I’ve been having fun with it,” Semborski said. “It’s not every day I get to do this. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

Kempny sits again

Michal Kempny was scratched for the third consecutive game. Quenneville doesn’t sound overly dissatisfied with Kempny but is clearly looking for more from the 26-year-old defenseman

“Just play his game,” Quenneville said. “We have a lot of depth in that area. I think he adds a little bit of offense with his puck-moving ability and defending he’s fine in that area as well.”

So, where can he improve?

“I think consistency for a young guy, learning a little bit about the players, the league, defensive-zone coverage and just adding to what he’s done,” Quenneville said. “But he’s been fine.

Sharp out, Oduya in

The news is mixed for two of the Stars’ former Hawks.

Defenseman Johnny Oduya (lower body) missed the Stars’ previous 10 games but returned to the lineup Sunday. But things aren’t as positive for Patrick Sharp (concussion-like symptoms). Sharp, who sat 14 games earlier this season with a concussion, missed his fifth straight game. Stars coach Lindy Ruff said that while Sharp is working out daily, there’s no timetable for his return and that the team doesn’t know if this concussion is from the earlier one.

“I had a long meeting before we shut him down again,” Ruff said. “It’s just all concussion related. It’s stuff you have to understand as a coach and he understands as a player.”

With the team

Assistant coach Kevin Dineen was not with the Hawks at the morning skate but was behind the bench for Sunday’s game. Dineen’s father, Bill, who died Saturday, spent time with the Hawks and Red Wings, winning a pair of Stanley Cups in Detroit. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers from 1991-93.