Hawks rookies ready to join the roster mix
Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon described himself as cautiously optimistic on the first day of training camp Thursday.
The Hawks appear to be improved, but the question is how much?
"You really don't know until you start playing," Tallon said.
The rookies will be the center of attention at camp, but not just first overall pick Patrick Kane and 2006 first-rounder Jonathan Toews.
"They aren't the only kids," said coach Denis Savard. "We have some other kids that were in Norfolk last year that deserve a shot too. The games and practices will determine where they fit and if they belong here."
Those rookie forwards expected to be in the roster mix are 2005 first-round pick Jack Skille, Michael Blunden, Troy Brouwer, Dave Bolland and Bryan Bickell. The rookie defensemen battling for jobs are Dustin Byfuglien, Danny Richmond, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Magnus Johansson.
"We have a lot of good, young, big kids," Tallon said. "I don't know if they're ready, but somebody will step up and I'm anxious to see who it is.
"We're going with the best 23. It doesn't matter how old or where they're from. Competition is the key and we're getting to the point where we have competition at all positions."
The strongest competition at camp figures to come on defense.
"(Brent) Seabrook and Duncan Keith are solid there (with) Jim Vandermeer," said Savard. "As far as everybody else, they're going to be fighting for the next four spots. It's up for grabs."
A total of 54 players were invited to camp.
The Hawks play their first preseason game Tuesday at Columbus.
Wait and see: The Hawks maintained they are in no hurry to name a team captain. Denis Savard has indicated he might not do it all season.
"Let's see what happens," said Dale Tallon. "The next captain here might be the next captain for a decade, so let's make the right decision. I'd rather have 20 leaders than three. That will be a decision we'll take our time with."
Ready to go: Martin Havlat, coming off shoulder surgery, is 100 percent recovered and will take part in full camp workouts.
The same goes for defensemen Jim Vandermeer and James Wisniewski. Vandermeer missed the final 33 games of last season with a broken leg, and Wisniewski the final 15 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
"I had all summer to rehab and the shoulder feels pretty good," Havlat said.
Change it up: The Hawks will unveil their new uniforms today, but don't worry. The jersey, named the best in the NHL in multiple polls, won't look any different. It will just be a little less baggy.
The new Reebok Rbk Edge uniforms that will be worn throughout the league are made from a material that is more form fitting, breaths easier, resists water better and offers a greater range of motion.