By Tim Sassone 

When it comes to what center Igor Korolev brings to the team, Blackhawks coach Brian Sutter warns that people shouldn't judge him strictly by the numbers.

Korolev entered Monday's game against Edmonton with no goals and 2 assists in the previous 10 games and just 2 goals in the last 32 games.

"Why has Mark Bell come in and played when he couldn't play here last year?" asked Sutter. "He plays with Iggy a lot and is helped by Iggy in a lot of situations where maybe other people couldn't help him as much. (Bell) has got to learn all the little things of playing. Iggy does those little things and you don't always read them on the scoresheet."

Korolev scored 2 goals in a Dec. 21 win over Edmonton. Before that his last goal came on Nov. 4 against Detroit. In the Hawks' first 48 games leading into Monday, he had 7 goals, 12 assists and was minus-2.

"One thing I'd like to see Iggy more aggressive at is offense," said Sutter. "He's unselfish in the respect he leans lots of times to just being smart defensively."

It's behind him: Oilers winger Ryan Smyth has no hard feelings toward Alexander Karpovtsev, whose hook back on Nov. 16 in a game at Edmonton knocked Smyth off balance and into the boards, causing him to fracture his right ankle.

Smyth needed surgery and returned to action on Jan. 2.

"It's part of the game," Smyth said of Karpovtsev's hook while the two players chased an icing. "If you're a d-man, you're going to ride your man into the boards. I didn't agree with the hook on my shoulder, but I don't like carrying grudges."

Tip-ins: Alexander Karpovtsev missed his second straight game with bruised ribs. ... The reserves for the North America and World all-star teams will be announced Wednesday. The Hawks expect to at least have Alex Zhamnov named to the World team and Eric Daze to the North America squad. ... With 141 penalty minutes, Bob Probert ranked fifth in the NHL prior to Monday's games behind Florida's Peter Worrell (158), Anaheim's Kevin Sawyer (154), the Rangers' Theo Fleury (151) and Anaheim's Denny Lambert (146).