Sprained knee bumming Campbell out

It goes without saying that Brian Campbell is frustrated he won't be starting the season with the Blackhawks.

A sprained right knee will keep Campbell out of the lineup until some point in November, but the defenseman can start skating again in three weeks.

"It's going to be tough missing the start of the season," Campbell said Sunday. "I'm pretty disappointed in that. We want to get out to a fast start, but I'll be pulling for the boys and getting back as soon as I can."

Campbell must wear a knee brace when he returns and already is wondering how it will affect his game since speed is such a big part of what he does well.

"That's going to be interesting to get used to for a while," Campbell said. "I know other guys who have had to wear them. I got that in the back of my mind, so I'll see how that's going to affect me. I can't get too far ahead of myself, but it'll be different the first couple of times so I'll have to get used to it quick."

Campbell took a knee-to-knee hit from Pittsburgh's Eric Tangradi on Friday but didn't think it was a dirty play.

"Not much contact there, (he) just hit me the wrong way," Campbell said. "I was up against the boards and sealing the boards. The guy didn't come and hit me hard or wasn't trying to hit me too much, just last second his knee went straight on mine and my knee hyper-extended backward. That was it. I felt it right away, but no pop, no nothing, so that's always a good sign."

Rookie Nick Leddy, 19, is expected to take Campbell's spot on defense with Niklas Hjalmarsson.

"He's been really good, really solid so far," Campbell said. "He's doing some great things at a young age, seems pretty poised."

Tip-ins: Jordan Hendry, Jassen Cullimore and Ryan Potulny were healthy scratches on Sunday against St. Louis. ... Former Hawk Kris Versteeg finished the preseason with 2 goals and 7 assists in 9 games for Toronto.