Defenseman Johnny Oduya ready to embrace talented side of Chicago Blackhawks-NHL News
Defenseman, Johnny Oduya, who joined the Chicago Blackhawks in a practice session for the first time since his arrival on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, has expressed excitement over becoming a part of the group of ‘talented’ players.
Blackhawks traded Oduya from the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, February 27, 2012, in exchange for two 2013 fourth-round draft picks.
He practised along with his new teammates after arriving from Winnipeg on Tuesday morning and could not help holding back the apparent excitement of joining the team.
Oduya said of the Blackhawks:
"I've watched them play and played against them a couple times, (but) other than that (I don't know) too much."
He added:
"I know how tough it is to beat them, so it's nice to be a part of that. It's a high-skill team, an unbelievably skilled team I would say, but as always they have a system to follow, too. It's a tough team to beat and I hope I can be a part of that."
His new defence partner, Brent Seabrook, said that he was impressed by the interest shown by Oduya after having travelled at 4’o clock early morning, and added it reflected on the player’s ability of adapting to the new conditions quickly.
Blackhawks rank 6th in the Western Conference, just five points ahead of Colorado Avalanche, who are at the 9th, and the coach, Joel Quenneville, is banking on the player to boost the run for playoffs.
Quenneville said of Oduya:
"Johnny's a defenseman we can use. We like his experience, he's happy to be here and we can use his important minutes. We like the way he moves the puck, his quickness.”
Blackhawks hope that the player happens to be the timely arrival and gives them the depth and experience, which the side lacks at the moment.
Seabrook said that Oduya’s addition was a good decision of the management, as they needed someone of the player’s calibre to help them play some long and tough minutes out on the ice.
The team is in need of points and hopefully the singing will help them to achieve that and remain intact on the course to playoffs, he added.
Despite that Oduya is yet to prove that his signing by Blackhawks was the choice worth making, as he has not played a game for the team, the praise and confidence he has received from his new teammates make his performance to be even more significant and
crucial.
Apparently, the player is said to be ready and upto the challenge.
The current season will be the only opportunity for him to showcase his skills at Blackhawks. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at end of the season.
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