Apparently, Michal Grosek is as hard on himself as he can be on other players.
At 6 feet 2 inches, 216 pounds and with a nose for the slot, Grosek is known as a power forward. But the only power Grosek displayed after practice Wednesday was his choice of strong words to assess his own performance since coming to the Blackhawks in the Doug Gilmour trade on March 10.
“I don’t think I’ve played well at all,” Grosek said. “I played OK the first six games, but the last two haven’t been good at all. We’ve played good defensive teams and it’s been tough to get something going.”
Grosek has two goals and four points in eight games with the Hawks. But he skated just 11 minutes 33 seconds against Colorado in Monday’s 3-1 loss and, after spending time on a line with Steve Sullivan and Michael Nylander, got dropped to the third line with Josef Marha and Blair Atcheynum.
“Obviously, the last two games, I didn’t think he played up to his potential,” associate coach Lorne Molleken said.
Thankfully for the Hawks, no one has to worry about Grosek’s work ethic. He stayed on the ice well after practice ended Wednesday, working on his shot and his skating. Grosek said he still is adjusting to his new team, which involves new players, longer practices and a longer off-season.
“With the Sabres, we were fighting for a playoff spot this year and went to the Cup last year,” Grosek said. “I’m not saying guys here aren’t trying, but there’s a completely different feeling before games.
“I am starting to feel more comfortable. I just need to get to the front of the net more. I like the garbage goals where you stay in front of the net, take a beating and get the loose pucks. That’s how you win games in the playoffs.”
Grosek, with nine career playoffs goals, would know.
“We need him to play physical and in the tough areas,” said Molleken. “He’ll get better as he gets more comfortable.”
Second opinion: Defenseman Boris Mironov rode a stationary bicycle for 30 minutes at practice Wednesday and may test his sprained left knee at Thursday’s morning skate. But, despite Mironov’s best intentions, it is a virtual certainty he will miss the final six games.
“I want to rush,” Mironov said. “The doctors don’t want me to rush.”
Neither does management, which doesn’t want to take the risk of Mironov reinjuring the knee in a meaningless game. The Hawks were officially eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday by virtue of Phoenix’s 3-2 victory over Atlanta and San Jose’s 1-1 overtime tie with Los Angeles.
“I don’t want to sit in the training room with ice all day and be the injured guy,” Mironov said. “I want to be part of the team.”
