Blackhawks shore up defense by signing Rozsival

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — By coming to terms with Michal Rozsival on a one-year contract Saturday, the Blackhawks took a big step in knowing who their defensemen will be for the upcoming season.

Rozsival, who just turned 37, isn't participating in training camp this weekend as he continues to rehab from the broken ankle he suffered during last season's playoff run. This will be his fourth season with the Hawks, and he brings a veteran presence that coach Joel Quenneville appreciates.

“He gives you some safety, predictability,” Quenneville said. “He doesn't have to play every game, but when he comes in, you're comfortable with him in all situations.”

Rozsival said he never entertained thoughts of retiring. He said he has done some light skating recently, but couldn't give a timetable for a return to full participation.

With Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Trevor Daley, Trevor van Riemsdyk and David Rundblad all under contract, it would seem opportunities for other defensemen at camp would be nonexistent.

Quenneville, though, squashed that line of thinking, saying he wants 10 guys who can step in and help on a “need basis”.

“That's one area that you want to make sure you're safe, solid and deep,” he said.

The cap hit on Rozsival's contract is worth a reported $600,000 and he can earn $200,000 more based on number of games played.

Day 2 impression:

One defenseman who stood out at Compton Ice Arena on Saturday was Lubomir Visnovsky, who is in camp on a professional tryout basis. Visnovsky spent the last three seasons with Islanders, although he appeared in just 77 games in the last two injury-plagued seasons.

The 39-year-old Slovak had 8 goals and 23 assists in those 77 games.

Looking good:

Marko Dano scored 3 goals for his team during the second scrimmage Saturday. He said he's feeling much more comfortable playing with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

“I was thinking it's going to be fun,” Dano said when he learned he'd be playing with the two Hawk veterans. “They're great players and there's a lot of what I can learn from them, so I'm real excited about being in a line with them.”

Tip-ins:

Bryan Bickell scored just 30 seconds into the first scrimmage Saturday on a perfect pass from Patrick Kane. It turned out to be just 1 of 2 shots by their team in the 25-minute period as they were outshot 24-2. They did, however, maintain that 1-0 lead as goalie Michael Leighton made a bevy of impressive stops. … A spirited fight between defenseman Sam Jardine and winger Mark McNeill had players on both benches rapping their sticks during the second scrimmage.

He said it:

“Those new players could keep us driving during the season, when it gets a little tough for us sometimes. Those guys are excited to be here and they're going to bring lots of energy.”

­—Marian Hossa on the new teammates he'll be playing with this season