Montador hoping to work his way back to Hawks

Now recovered from concussion, veteran defenseman is toiling in Rockford

April 04, 2013|By Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter

Finally healthy, Steve Montador wants to cap his comeback by returning to the NHL.

The veteran defenseman has recovered from a concussion suffered last season, and after enduring a relapse while skating with Blackhawks teammates to prepare for the 2013 season, Montador is back to doing what he does best: playing hockey.

Unfortunately for the 33-year-old with 571 NHL games, he is doing it for the Hawks' minor league affiliate in Rockford after being reassigned March 12.

"I'm an NHL defenseman playing in the American League right now," Montador said Thursday. "It's a lot of fun and there are a lot of good guys down here. My goal is to be in the NHL, so getting a chance to play a lot down here is good. When the chance does come, I'm ready to be in the NHL."

If that opportunity comes with the Hawks remains to be seen. With the team having perhaps its most depth on the blue line in years, there is no room for Montador on the roster.

With that in mind, general manager Stan Bowman placed Montador on waivers this week to see if another team would take a chance on him. He cleared and remains a member of the Hawks organization.

"It would have given me a chance to be in the NHL right away," Montador said. "Stan and I talked about that, and I appreciated it since he didn't have to do that. When you get picked up, it's because somebody wants you. But I'm still in the Hawks organization where I want to be and want to contribute."

Montador said he understood why the 29 other teams didn't put in a waiver claim considering his injury history and having two seasons remaining on a contract that carries a salary-cap hit of $2.75 million.

"With the logistics of it all, I understand why I wouldn't be picked up," he said.

The goal now is to continue his strong play in Rockford and eventually work his way back into the Hawks' plans.

"If I'm in their plans, that's great," Montador said. "If not, I'm NHL ready and I can help out any NHL team. But my preference is to stay with the Hawks, and I will do anything that I'm asked."