Saad appears to have won a spot with Hawks

After skating in the Blackhawks’ first six preseason games, Brandon Saad didn’t play in Sunday’s exhibition finale at Washington.

Apparently the Hawks had seen enough of Saad, as it appears the 18-year-old rookie left wing will at least start the regular season on the NHL roster.

The Hawks still must sign Saad to an entry-level contract, but coach Joel Quenneville gave the impression following the 4-1 loss to the Capitals it would soon happen.

“Stan (Bowman) will be working on that,” Quenneville told reporters.

Saad was the surprise of training camp after falling to the Hawks in the second round of June’s draft at No. 43 overall.

Many had projected Saad as a first-round draft pick, and even the Hawks used their two first-round picks on other players in centers Mark McNeill and Phillipe Danault.

So why did Saad slide to the second round when a respected publication such as the Hockey News had him rated the 14th-best player in the draft?

“I’m not sure,” Saad said. “I had an injury about halfway through the season (at Saginaw in juniors in 2010-11), and the team declined from there, so that probably had something to do with it. But the past is the past and I’m looking for a fresh start.”

Saad has performed in the preseason like a first-rounder.

“Sometimes you have guys that maybe don’t get the recognition or are as touted as high as they should be going in the draft,” Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. “That’s just the reality of it.

“Sometimes you’ll see a lot of first-round picks not shine as well as they’re expected to, but maybe that’s a blessing in disguise for some guys to not have that pressure. He’s come in here knowing what he can do and shown it.”

Unlike with Saad, the news might not be as good for rookies Brandon Pirri and Marcus Kruger making the team. Final cuts must be made by Wednesday.

Pirri played Sunday but wasn’t as noticeable while centering a line for Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik.

Pirri could be Rockford bound, especially if the Hawks think Patrick Sharp and Ben Smith will be healthy enough to return from their injuries for Friday’s opener at Dallas.

Kruger capped a poor preseason with another performance against the Capitals in which he did nothing to help his chances of winning a roster spot.

The Hawks finished an unimpressive preseason at 2-4-1, looking sloppy in many of the games and slower on defense.

Steve Montador struggled through many of his exhibition games, but the only way to judge the veteran defenseman will be when the games count.

Veteran forwards Bickell and Rostislav Olesz didn’t open many eyes, especially Olesz, and you wonder where he fits in on the roster, if anywhere. Maybe at wing on the fourth line with Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo?

Corey Crawford started Sunday in his final tuneup for Friday and was sharp in the loss, allowing 3 goals.

Ray Emery dressed as the backup, but it’s still up in the air whether Emery or rookie Alexander Salak wins the No. 2 job.

Patrick Kane likely would start the season at center. “I’m going to say right now we’ll probably start like that,” Quenneville said.