Marcus Kruger will probably get another opportunity on Chicago's second line. He will play between Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg. Kruger replaced Michal Handzus during the team's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday and he's expected to start there again ahead of Saturday's match-up against Montreal. His fantasy value will increase substantially if he can stick on the second line, so it's a situation worth keeping an eye on.

Marcus Kruger has excelled on the draw this season. Kruger has won 57.1% of his draws this season, which is good for 10th place in the NHL. That's a huge jump from his 2013 success rate of just 46.3%. "When I came over here [from Europe], it was a big difference from what I was used to," Kruger explained. "It takes a little time to adjust." He credited retired NHLer Yanic Perreault with helping him bolster this aspect of his game.

Marcus Kruger has made significant improvements on his faceoff work this year. He has won 169 of the 309 draws he's taken for a 54.7 winning percentage, which is up from the 46.2 success rate he had last season. Kruger has done his job as part of Chicago's fourth line with Brandon Bollig and Ben Smith. He is also a key member of the team's penalty kill. In 28 games, he has contributed 12 points.

Marcus Kruger's third-period goal turned out to be the game winner in the Chicago Blackhawks' 2-1 victory over the Canucks in Vancouver Saturday night. Kruger's goal, his third of the season, came at 4:49 of the third period, only nine seconds after Andrew Shaw tied the game at 1-1 with his fifth goal of the season.

Minnesota took a 1-0 lead versus Chicago thanks to a power-play goal en route to the Wild's 5-3 win Saturday. It was just the latest example of the Blackhawks' power-play struggles as they've only killed 72.2% of the opposition's power plays this season. That gives them the worst penalty kill in the league so far. "Our penalty kill isn't even close to where we want it. It's cost us points and cost us games," said Marcus Kruger. "We know what to do. We know the system. I don't know why it still happens and we don't do what we're supposed to do. I'm a big part of that. I don't know. Maybe get back to basics, I think." The loss of Michael Frolik, who they traded to the Winnipeg Jets, seems to have hurt them in that regard.

Marcus Kruger is slated to start Saturday's game between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp on Chicago's second line. Michal Handzus is out with an upper-body injury, so Kruger will get a shot on a scoring line. He has three assists after 10 games.

Marcus Kruger has signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Kruger had 13 points and 24 penalty minutes in 47 games last season. He figures to serve as a bottom-six forward in 2013-14.

Marcus Kruger is "very close" to re-signing with the Chicago Blackhawks, according to GM Stan Bowman. "We expect it to get done in the next couple of days," Bowman said. Based on what Kruger's agent said earlier, it will probably be a two-year deal. Kruger is a skilled penalty killer and a solid bottom-six forward.

Marcus Kruger and the Chicago Blackhawks remain locked in contract negotiations. Kruger is a restricted free agent. His agent, J.P. Barry, indicated that the two sides are interested in inking a two-year deal. Kruger had four goals and 13 points in 47 games last season.

Marcus Kruger received a qualifying offer and is expected to begin contract talks with the Blackhawks on Tuesday, according to Kruger's agent. Kruger would prefer a two-year contract after scoring four goals and 13 points in 47 games this season. The Swedish-born forward also registered three goals and two assists in Chicago's Stanley Cup run. Mostly a defensive forward, Kruger is unlikely to have much fantasy value next season.