Hawks' Havlat sees a better supporting cast

It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say Martin Havlat was the Blackhawks' offense last season.

Despite missing 26 games with injuries, Havlat led the Hawks in scoring with 25 goals and 57 points.

General manager Dale Tallon made it one of his off-season priorities to find a center to play with Havlat and also to surround the star winger with more offensive punch.

Havlat believes Tallon has done what he promised with the addition of veterans Robert Lang, Yanic Perreault and Sergei Samsonov, and rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Havlat sees a much better offense than the one that averaged 2.38 goals per game last season to rank next to last among the NHL's 30 clubs.

"We're more talented, with more players that can score goals, and that's what the game is about," Havlat said. "I think we were missing the goals last year a lot."

Hawks coach Denis Savard saw Havlat press last season to score when others weren't. Even with the additions, Savard says Havlat still must be the team's go-to guy.

"He still has to be our best player night in and night out, it's as simple as that," Savard said. "Last year in most games he was, and I expect him to be our best player, our hardest worker, all of the above."

When Havlat looked over his shoulder Friday during the first day of on-ice drills at the United Center, he saw Lang with him at center and Samsonov at left wing.

"I wouldn't read too much into who's playing with who right now," Savard said.

Maybe so, but it's no secret Savard sees a top line of Lang, Havlat and Samsonov.

"It makes my life much easier," Havlat said. "We've got almost two new lines, so that's going to be different."

Havlat and Lang are Czech but played together only once in the 2002 Olympics.

"I've watched him when I was young and when I started playing in the league, so I know what he can do on the ice," Havlat said.

Samsonov is a guy Havlat believes can resurrect his career here after last season when he scored only 9 goals in 63 games with Montreal.

"Last year, I think, was a difficult year for him," Havlat said. "This year I really believe he's going to have a great season for us. There's no reason why he shouldn't."

Havlat skated with Kane and Toews earlier this week during informal scrimmages and, like everyone else, came away impressed.

"I can see a lot of things with them," Havlat said. "They're very skilled and they're going to get a good chance. We'll see what the coaches decide, but you can see already they are very skilled and have a lot of talent. I'm really looking forward to being on the ice with these guys."

Havlat said his shoulder, which has been operated on twice in the last three years, feels fine.

"I had all summer to rehab and I'm ready to go," he said.

• Rookie defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, who was expected to challenge for a roster spot, will miss 4-6 weeks with what is believed to be a cracked bone in his right wrist. He was hurt training in Sweden.

• Denis Savard had Jonathan Toews centering a line for Tuomo Ruutu and Patrick Kane in Friday's drills.

• Tickets for all 41 home games go on sale today at 10 a.m., at the United Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 312-559-1212, and at chicagoblackhawks.com.