Steve Larmer probably was the happiest player in the NHL to learn he wasn`t named Tuesday as an All-Star. Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick was added to the Campbell Conference roster and will play for the second straight season in the All-Star Game, which is Jan. 18 in Philadelphia. Goalie Ed Belfour and defenseman Chris Chelios were chosen earlier by fan balloting.
But Larmer`s string of All-Star appearances ends at two. Does the right wing feel slighted? Does he care? ”No,” a smiling Larmer said. ”It`ll give me a chance to relax. And I haven`t played very well.”
He has played well enough to be the Hawks` second-leading scorer with 48 points (19 goals).
His spot among the wingers named to fill out the team probably went to Minnesota`s Brian Bellows (40 points, 16 goals).
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”I`ve had no time off since the first of August,” said Larmer, who scored Canada`s winning goal against the U.S. in the Canada Cup fianal.
”Maybe after the Canada Cup I just expected things to go well and forgot why they went well for me last season. I forgot to work.” Marching back:
Defenseman Bryan Marchment is available to play again Thursday night when Toronto comes to the Stadium, Sutter said. Marchment has missed the last 12 games since a puck fractured his cheekbone in an exhibition game Dec. 12 against Team USA.
Sutter couldn`t be as certain when defenseman Steve Smith could return after sitting out the last three games with a pulled rib-cage muscle.”Back down: Forward Sean Williams returned to the minors Tuesday, joining Indianapolis for a long trip out west. He played two games for the Hawks without a point. His departure might pave the way for veteran Greg Gilbert`s return to the lineup this week. Gilbert was scratched in the last two games.