Trent Yawney is playing with a heavy burden. He knows any day might be his last with the Blackhawks.
The defenseman is rumored to be on the trading block. Coach Mike Keenan probably played him Saturday night against the New York Islanders, after scratching him from the lineup the previous three games, to showcase him for the Isles.
Keenan has expressed an interest in Isles center Brent Sutter.
”When I get the chance, I just go out and play and don`t think about what might happen,” Yawney said. ”I`m not a guy that`s going to go coast-to- coast. I have to play a simple game and take advantage of what I`m given out there.
”My teammates have believed in me even when I haven`t this year. They`ll never know how much I appreciate that. They`ve made it livable in a very tough time.”
Don`t jump: Hawks defenseman Doug Wilson jumped up in the opposing zone Saturday and was able to score a goal. But he is trying to overcome a tendency to gamble.
”Chris Chelios and I have similar styles, and sometimes we try too much to make something happen,” Wilson said. ”You can`t do that too much in our system.” Let`s say we have a 50-50 chance of success. It`s not worth it when the other team has a 50-50 chance for a breakaway if the gamble doesn`t work out.”
Hurting again: Hawks center Troy Murray returned Saturday from a two-game absence with a pulled groin, and promptly reinjured himself. He will be on a day-to-day status.
