Blackhawks defenseman Erik Gustafsson seen his two-year contract extension, which he signed final March, as his “last shot” at making it within the NHL. With the load of his $1.2 million cap hit on his shoulder this season, Gustafsson needed to indicate followers and himself that he deserved it.
“Of course, I want to prove [I earned it this season],” Gustafsson mentioned. “I also wanted to prove to myself that I can play in this league and I can play for this team here … You see what people are saying, but it just goes in and out very quickly in my head. So it’s nothing I care about, but I wanted to prove to myself that I can play in this league.”
And up to now, he’s carried out simply that.
Entering Sunday’s high-stakes recreation towards the Colorado Avalanche on the United Center, Gustafsson is tied for second amongst NHL defensemen in objectives (16) with Flames’ Mark Giordano and Penguins’ Kristopher Letang. They path solely Maple Leafs blue liner Morgan Rielly, who has scored 20 objectives.
If you’ll’ve advised him a 12 months in the past he’d be the place he’s now, Gustafsson wouldn’t have believed it.
“Not goals. In points, maybe,” mentioned Gustafsson, who’s using a career-high three-game objective streak. “But not goals. I haven’t score many goals in my career … Last year, I scored five goals. It was the most in my career, and that was pretty big for me, but now 16 is kind of insane.”
And Gustafsson isn’t carried out.
“I think I have more in me,” he mentioned.
Which is strictly what coach Jeremy Colliton desires to listen to because the Hawks embark on the final two weeks of their season.
“He’s playing well, coming through for us offensively” Colliton mentioned. “He’s one of those guys who can transition outside the D-zone and create those rush chances we kind of thrive off of, so hopefully it continues.”
With 53 factors and counting this season, Gustafsson — who solely had 30 factors over a part of two seasons earlier than this season — leads Hawks defensemen in factors and objectives by an extended shot. The subsequent highest-scoring blue liners are Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, who every have 5 objectives this season. Keith is second amongst defenseman in factors with 36.
Gustafsson feels extra assured because the
“I just felt like I’ve played more consistently and been better with the puck,” mentioned Gustafsson, who was the 93rd general decide within the 2012 draft. “I can still be better in my own zone but I feel more confident in my own zone lately.”
Gustafsson mentioned he hasn’t modified his game-day routine or carried out something that will level to his latest uptick in scoring. Honestly, he can’t clarify it.
“I don’t know what it is but I haven’t changed anything,” Gustafsson mentioned. “I just try to shoot as much as I can. … It’s just kind of assists have been there, but not goals. I don’t know what happened this year but not complaining. I’ll take that.”