Defenseman Klas Dahlbeck has never played in an NHL game, but he felt mostly at home in the Blackhawks’ dressing room Thursday after being called up to replace Adam Clendening late Wednesday night — and not just because he’s one of six Swedes on that side of the room.
Dahlbeck was a Black Ace last spring, practicing and traveling with the Hawks throughout the playoffs. So not only does he know the players, he knows the routine.
“I was just learning, seeing how all the guys work, day in and day out, just some of the routines,” Dahlbeck said.
Coach Joel Quenneville said the move was made to get Clendening playing again; he had been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games. Dahlbeck, 22, is more defensive-minded than Clendening, modeling his game after fellow Swede Niklas Hjalmarsson. He had two goals and four assists in 22 games with the IceHogs.
“We like the way [Dahlbeck] moves,” Quenneville said. “He’s a big guy, skates well. . . . We think he’s capable of having the right assets to contribute and fit in.”
Sharp delay
Patrick Sharp, who suffered a knee injury Nov. 4, will not play this weekend against Montreal or Nashville. Quenneville said he expects him to return to the lineup next week on the road when the Hawks visit New Jersey, Boston and Long Island.
With the Hawks having won seven of eight, there’s no rush. Quenneville said getting him reacclimatized to contact was the key.
“We’ve got time,” he said. “Let’s make sure that he’s more than ready.”