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Hawks believe Leddy is ready bigger role

Among the reasons why the Blackhawks felt comfortable trading away Brian Campbell during the off-season was their belief in Nick Leddy.

The Hawks think Leddy, in his second season, is ready to be a bigger part of the defense although only time will tell if the 20-year-old can approach the nearly 23 minutes of ice time Campbell averaged last year.

“Nick is one of those guys who could probably absorb more responsibility and ice time, be it on the power play or penalty kill,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said.

“We’re excited about what he brings and what he can do for us this year. I think penalty killing is something he should be able to grasp. We like his mindset in his own end.”

Leddy was one of the few veterans to make the trip to Saskatoon for Tuesday’s preseason opener against Edmonton, which the Hawks lost 4-2.

Rostislav Olesz and Jamal Mayers scored for the Hawks, who were 0-for-5 on the power play and lost when Jordan Eberle snapped a 2-2 for the Oilers with 3:26 to play.

Goalies Ray Emery and Alexander Salak split the duties in their first real head-to-head competition to be Corey Crawford’s backup.

Emery started and was tested more in allowing 2 goals. Salak gave up 1 goal to Eberle on a 2-on-1.

Quenneville admitted before the game there might be a little more at stake for Emery in the preseason.

“Ray’s the guy we’ll watch a little closer (because he’s not signed),” Quenneville said.

Toews times two:Jonathan Toews and younger brother David couldn#146;t hide their excitement about playing together on the same team Tuesday for the first time since Jonathan was 6 and David 4.#147;I had a year of experience on him,#148; the Hawks#146; captain told reporters. #147;I think that was the first year he played hockey; he was 4 and I started when I was 5 the year before. We#146;d set him up in front of the net, and he didn#146;t have to move too much, and he ended up scoring a lot of goals that year.#148;#147;He would tell me to go to the net and then try to pass me the puck to get me an empty net,#148; David said. #147;We#146;ve always talked about having the opportunity to one day play together again.#148;David Toews is a long, long shot to make the team with Rockford his likely destination to start the season.Correction:Rookie goalie Alexander Salak is from the Czech Republic and not Sweden, as was reported in Tuesday#146;s editions.Tip-in: Marian Hossa is expected to be on the ice at training camp today for the first time.