EDMONTON, Alberta — After spending one game back on the left side to accommodate Michal Rozsival’s rare appearance in the lineup, Brian Campbell will be back on the right side with Duncan Keith on Monday night — a spot he’s occupied for about a month.
After spending the last five seasons on the left side with the Florida Panthers, Campbell said he’s perfectly comfortable on the right again.
“I’ve played the right earlier a lot in my career,” he said. “It’s just I hadn’t played it in a few years. For me, it’s a lot of remembering stuff, and I feel really really comfortable there now. I feel like I can improve on my skating. If I’m skating, I think then I can be a real benefit and play on that right side.”
Having a two-time Norris Trophy winner in Keith as his partner doesn’t hurt.
“He’s world-class,” Campbell said. “I already had so much respect for him, but then when you start playing with him, you have even more respect for him. It’s crazy. I count myself as lucky.”
John Scott rule
The NHL All-Star Game will once again be replaced by a 3-on-3 tournament featuring teams from all four divisions, on Jan. 29 in Los Angeles. Longtime enforcer John Scott’s Internet-driven All-Star selection and unlikely MVP award last year was one of the highlights of the NHL season. But the league took steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again, instituting what surely will become known as the John Scott rule. If a player is assigned to the AHL between Nov. 1 and Jan. 26 (as Scott was last season), he will not be eligible for All-Star fan voting.
Roster report
Michal Rozsival, Dennis Rasmussen and Jordin Tootoo were scratches, as Gustav Forsling and Andrew Desjardins got back in the lineup. The Hawks’ six rookies have been in and out of the lineup all season, but are starting to force Joel Quenneville’s hand, which could mean players such as Rasmussen, Tootoo and Desjardins will be fighting for playing time more often.
“[The rookies] are getting better, hopefully every night,” Quenneville said. “Whether productive or not, they’re doing the right things, their lines are effective. But they have to be better away from the puck. Most of their strengths are offensively, so getting acclimated and doing the right things defensively is what we’re looking for.”
Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com
Twitter: @marklazerus
