Tough Love: Blackhawks Coach benches top 6 forward

According to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times, Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville has opted to leave one of his hottest rookies out of the lineup for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Rookie winger Ryan Hartman earned himself a benching during Saturday’s blowout 7-0 loss to the Florida Panthers thanks to his hooking and un-sportsmanship infractions. Not that anyone on the Blackhawks looked good in that game.

Joel Quenneville seems intent to send a message to his 22-year-old breakout star, with Hartman absent from the projected lineup in tonight’s game:

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When asked about the motivation for the scratch, Quenneville is quoted as saying: "Message, or whatever, I think that sometimes you gotta learn how you handle certain situations".

With the playoffs on the doorstep and Chicago looking to further cement their dynasty status, making sure discipline doesn’t crumble when faced with some adversity is key. And Quenneville has set a precedent with scratches like this, with great results: think Brandon Saad, who responded so well he played himself out of Chicago’s salary cap.

Hartman has 18 goals and 11 assists so far in his NHL rookie season, along with 68 penalty minutes through 70 games. His right-handed shot has a penchant for finding the back of the net, and even at 5’11, 191 lbs Hartman isn’t afraid to throw his weight around to get to the puck in the corners and in front of the net.

Hartman’s young, he’s talented, he’ll likely respond to his night in the Press Box with more determined, and more disciplined, play moving forward.