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Tikhonov hopes to punch his ticket back into NHL Hawks: Tikhonov focused 30 сентября 2015. Daily Herald One week from now, the NHL will drop the puck on the 2015-16 season. That means there's precious little time left for players on the roster bubble to strut their stuff and show that they belong. And if you're that bubble player on the Blackhawks, that pressure is ramped up that much more when you consider: A) How many guys already are locks to make the team and ... B) The fact that the Hawks' salary-cap issues likely will prevent them from keeping more than one extra forward and defenseman. All of this means that the final two preseason games (Thursday at St. Louis and Saturday vs. Dallas) take on huge importance for forwards such as Viktor Tikhonov, Kyle Baun, Garret Ross, Vincent Hinostroza, Ryan Hartman and Dennis Rasmussen. There were those who thought Tikhonov, who signed a one-year, $1.04 million contract when free agency opened, would be a lock. But, after a strong start, the 27-year-old Russian hasn't been that noticeable. When the Blackhawks opened camp at Notre Dame, Tikhonov, Teuvo Teravainen and fellow Russian and former teammate Artemi Panarin wowed the crowd on numerous occasions with crisp passing and scoring chances on nearly every shift. Since then, though, Panarin has been out with an upper-body injury (he's expected back today) and Tikhonov hasn't looked the same. "Everybody's got to rely on their own game," coach Joel Quenneville said of Tikhonov after practice Tuesday at Johnny's IceHouse. "When you do get those opportunities (of having quality ice time), you want to look to take advantage of them, regardless of who you're with. "But when you are with some top guys, it'd be a nice day to look good." Tikhonov admitted at Notre Dame that he knows the Hawks' interest in him -- at least in part -- was to make Panarin's transition to life in the U.S. an easier one. Panarin speaks almost no English, while Tikhonov is fluent, having grown up in California. "Most of the interest was obviously toward him. And that's understandable," Tikhonov said. "He's a young player -- super, super talented. "Once he signed, they kind of had interest in me and that kind of helped me decide really. One, he's a good friend of mine. Two, at least just for camp, I could always come help him out, translate." Still, make no mistake: Tikhonov badly wants to be in the NHL again. He played 61 games for Arizona after the Coyotes took him with a first-round pick in 2008, but he hasn't played in the league since. He and Panarin both played on the same KHL team the last two seasons. Tikhonov told us at Notre Dame how "incredibly excited" he is to have this chance, then shared this with me after playing at the United Center in the Hawks' training-camp festival last week: "It was a little surreal. Not even an exhibition game ... and (we had) a full house, the national anthem where I had butterflies and almost broke down (in) tears. "It was amazing. It just fills you with energy and excitement. It's hard to describe. But definitely wasn't ready for it." Tikhonov's been around long enough to know he's locked into a numbers game with some awfully talented players. "There's so many good guys," he said. "Everyone's playing great. Just focus on yourself, focus on your game -- that's kind of what I'm trying to do." The opportunities are dwindling, though, and a solid showing Thursday in St. Louis would seem to be a must. If Tikhonov doesn't make the final cut, he could accept an assignment to Rockford or return to the KHL. If he went to Rockford, he still would count $90,000 against the Hawks' cap. Tikhonov said it'll be a tough call either way. "Any decision -- when it's not your No. 1 plan or the thing you wanted -- is always a tough decision," he said. "If that road comes, we'll make that decision (then)." * The Rockford IceHogs signed Daniel Paille, whom the Blackhawks released from training camp Monday, to a professional tryout. The 31-year-old Paille has played in 570 NHL games since the 2005-06 season. See Hawks on Page 2 One week from now, the NHL will drop the puck on the 2015-16 season. That means there's precious little time left for players on the roster bubble to strut their stuff and show that they belong. And if you're that bubble player on the Blackhawks, that pressure is ramped up that much more when you consider: A) How many guys already are locks to make the team and ... B) The fact that the Hawks' salary-cap issues likely will prevent them from keeping more than one extra forward and defenseman. All of this means that the final two preseason games (Thursday at St. Louis and Saturday vs. Dallas) take on huge importance for forwards such as Viktor Tikhonov, Kyle Baun, Garret Ross, Vincent Hinostroza, Ryan Hartman and Dennis Rasmussen. There were those who thought Tikhonov, who signed a one-year, $1.04 million contract when free agency opened, would be a lock. But, after a strong start, the 27-year-old Russian hasn't been that noticeable. When the Blackhawks opened camp at Notre Dame, Tikhonov, Teuvo Teravainen and fellow Russian and former teammate Artemi Panarin wowed the crowd on numerous occasions with crisp passing and scoring chances on nearly every shift. Since then, though, Panarin has been out with an upper-body injury (he's expected back today) and Tikhonov hasn't looked the same. "Everybody's got to rely on their own game," coach Joel Quenneville said of Tikhonov after practice Tuesday at Johnny's IceHouse. "When you do get those opportunities (of having quality ice time), you want to look to take advantage of them, regardless of who you're with. "But when you are with some top guys, it'd be a nice day to look good." Tikhonov admitted at Notre Dame that he knows the Hawks' interest in him -- at least in part -- was to make Panarin's transition to life in the U.S. an easier one. Panarin speaks almost no English, while Tikhonov is fluent, having grown up in California. "Most of the interest was obviously toward him. And that's understandable," Tikhonov said. "He's a young player -- super, super talented. "Once he signed, they kind of had interest in me and that kind of helped me decide really. One, he's a good friend of mine. Two, at least just for camp, I could always come help him out, translate." Still, make no mistake: Tikhonov badly wants to be in the NHL again. He played 61 games for Arizona after the Coyotes took him with a first-round pick in 2008, but he hasn't played in the league since. He and Panarin both played on the same KHL team the last two seasons. Tikhonov told us at Notre Dame how "incredibly excited" he is to have this chance, then shared this with me after playing at the United Center in the Hawks' training-camp festival last week: "It was a little surreal. Not even an exhibition game ... and (we had) a full house, the national anthem where I had butterflies and almost broke down (in) tears. "It was amazing. It just fills you with energy and excitement. It's hard to describe. But definitely wasn't ready for it." Tikhonov's been around long enough to know he's locked into a numbers game with some awfully talented players. "There's so many good guys," he said. "Everyone's playing great. Just focus on yourself, focus on your game -- that's kind of what I'm trying to do." The opportunities are dwindling, though, and a solid showing Thursday in St. Louis would seem to be a must. If Tikhonov doesn't make the final cut, he could accept an assignment to Rockford or return to the KHL. If he went to Rockford, he still would count $90,000 against the Hawks' cap. Tikhonov said it'll be a tough call either way. "Any decision -- when it's not your No. 1 plan or the thing you wanted -- is always a tough decision," he said. "If that road comes, we'll make that decision (then)." * The Rockford IceHogs signed Daniel Paille, whom the Blackhawks released from training camp Monday, to a professional tryout. The 31-year-old Paille has played in 570 NHL games since the 2005-06 season. |
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