Two minutes into a conversation at Gila River Arena, Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson sounded as if he misses the Blackhawks as much as his former team clearly misses him.

“I grew up there,’’ Hjalmarsson said of his 10 seasons with the Hawks. “As a kid in the minors, my first organization. … The city was special to me, and the guys I played with for such a long time, I’ll be connected with my whole life. There are a lot of fun reunions I’m looking forward to.’’

Looking back at the breakup still is baffling, especially considering how much the Hawks have struggled on the blue line. But then unloading the best defensive defenseman on the roster will have that effect on a team.

On the day of the NHL draft last June, Hawks general manager Stan Bowman overreacted to his vow for change by trading Hjalmarsson to the Coyotes for younger and more affordable defenseman Connor Murphy, who has been a disappointment.

One of only seven Hawks to have his name engraved on three Stanley Cups, Hjalmarsson left town regarded as one of the top defensemen in team history — yet was considered expendable at 30. The fact that veteran Duncan Keith has been the only Hawks defenseman who hasn’t been a healthy scratch this season says everything about the inconsistency at the position.

Those persistent problems underscore why trading Hjalmarsson upset Hawks coach Joel Quenneville enough for him to walk out of an NHL coaches meeting last summer after he was told. Hjalmarsson learned about the trade at home in Sweden, where it took awhile for the news to register.

“I didn’t see it coming,’’ Hjalmarsson said. “I felt like I had a decent regular season, but obviously our playoff run was embarrassing. Every year with the salary-cap situation in Chicago, a couple guys always move, so it was my turn — even if I wasn’t prepared for it.’’

Seven months later, Hjalmarsson says he has yet to talk to Bowman about the deal but holds no bitterness. He even roots for the Hawks to make the playoffs. He didn’t develop a reputation as one of the toughest guys in the league, pound for pound, because his ego bruises easily.

“It doesn’t bother me, and we’ll talk sometime in the future,’’ Hjalmarsson said. “I understand it’s a business. In this league, you have to separate that and try to see it Stan’s way and what he’s trying to do for the team. His opinion was he was trying to make the team better, and I have to accept that.’’

Hjalmarsson smiled.

“Instead of being pissed off about it, I’m trying to look back and be extremely proud of what I did in Chicago and thankful for the fans there,’’ he said.

In Arizona, fewer fans care about hockey and fall short of creating the atmosphere Hjalmarsson experienced at the United Center. The anthem before Tuesday night’s matchup against the Sharks, which ended in a 3-2 shootout loss, came before a crowd of only 11,961 in a building that lacked buzz. No NHL team has fewer than the Coyotes’ 10 victories and, in this market, nobody seems terribly bothered about it.

The Coyotes hoped Hjalmarsson would help establish a winning culture, one of the reasons they made him an alternate captain. He welcomes the responsibility.

“We had a lot of leaders in Chicago, but obviously I have a bigger role here with such a young team, so I want to show consistency on the ice with how I’m playing and off the ice with how I’m preparing and taking care of my body,’’ Hjalmarsson said.

Injuries have slowed Hjalmarsson’s adjustment, causing him to miss 26 games already after missing just 32 over his last eight seasons with the Hawks. The first upper-body injury occurred Oct. 30 against the Flyers, and a second one happened Nov. 28 against the Oilers, knocking him out the entire month of December.

“It’s been a little frustrating obviously because you want to put your best foot forward and prove the organization right,’’ Hjalmarsson said.

Some things never change: Despite limited action, the player known as “Hammer” still ranks among the league’s top 10 in blocked shots per game, average 2.5. Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet referenced that dependability when Hjalmarsson returned from his lengthy absence.

“He’s steady for us,” Tocchet told reporters.

Gradually, life in the desert steadies for Hjalmarsson and his wife, Elina, who always embraced the opportunity to stay active in the Chicago community. The family relocated outside Scottsdale with sons Theo, 3, and Oliver, who was born last April just before the playoffs. During Hjalmarsson’s extended layoff due to injuries, Dad stayed busy scouting places to take the kids — and enjoyed all his outdoor wintertime options.

“I can tell you it’s definitely different celebrating Christmas without cold or snow, but you get used to it quickly and start liking it,’’ Hjalmarsson said. “Beautiful scenery. This is one of the better places to live in this league if you have a family. The organization is great and super friendly to me. My wife is starting to like it, a great place off the ice.’’

On the ice remains a work in progress in Arizona.

“I’m just trying to stay positive and work as hard as I can to be a professional,’’ Hjalmarsson said. “It’s definitely a different experience, but I think after all those years in Chicago, I got a little spoiled.’’

He wasn’t the only one.

dhaugh@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @DavidHaugh

Scotty Bowman says he thinks Corey Crawford’s injury concussion-related »

If Corey Crawford is out, can the Blackhawks still save their season? »

3 goalies Blackhawks could pursue if Corey Crawford is out for season »