Believe the hype: Toews and Kane special
Not even Jeremy Roenick came to camp in 1988 looking as polished as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
These kids appear special, and I'm not just drinking the company Kool-Aid general manager Dale Tallon is pouring.
Toews and Kane have been sensational in scrimmages, dangling with the puck and making the kind of plays Blackhawks fans have become accustomed to seeing the opposition turn.
Toews has a presence that goes beyond his 19 years, and make no mistake, the reason the Hawks won't have a captain this year is because they are saving the job for this kid.
"He's an awesome player and an awesome kid," coach Denis Savard said.
The respectful and unassuming way Toews and Kane carry themselves goes a long way in demonstrating their character.
Kane's father, Patrick Kane Sr., said his son learned years ago how to handle himself and show respect while dominating in youth hockey.
"We worked hard at it," the elder Kane said. "When Pat would score 3 or 5 goals in a game and people would ask him how he did, all he could say was that he played OK, not that 'I scored 3 goals'.
"He has taken it step by step, every day growing up a little more."
Several weeks ago, Kane went to London, Ontario, to play a preseason game with his junior team, the Knights, as a way to thank fans for their support -- just in case he wouldn't be returning.
Sorry to disappoint the folks in London, but Kane's not coming back. He'll be wearing his customary No. 88 and playing on one of the Hawks' top three lines Oct. 4 in the season opener at Minnesota.
Crowded house: If there are jobs to be won at forward with the Hawks, it's difficult to see where. The top three lines appear to be set, though the mix might change:
• Sergei Samsonov, Robert Lang and Martin Havlat.
• Tuomo Ruutu, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
• Jason Williams, Yanic Perreault and Patrick Sharp.
If Kevyn Adams, Martin Lapointe, Rene Bourque and David Koci are to win spots, it likely means rookies such as Mike Blunden, Troy Brouwer, Dave Bolland, Adam Burish, Bryan Bickell, Kris Verteeg, Petri Kontiola and Jack Skille need to be amazing in the preseason to stick around.
Looking for work: Some well-known veterans, priced out of free agency due to their high salaries, are in various camps on a tryout basis.
Former Hawks defenseman Jassen Cullimore, defenseman Brent Sopel and winger Aaron Downey are in Detroit trying. Winger Anson Carter was invited to camp on a tryout basis with Edmonton, and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh was invited by San Jose.
Among the vets still looking for teams are Tony Amonte, Curtis Joseph, Darren McCarty, Eric Lindros, Danny Markov and Robert Esche.
Ed Belfour, frustrated by the lack of interest shown, signed to play in Sweden for a second-division club.
The Hawks have no interest Amonte, who at age 37 was paid $1.85 million in Calgary last season and scored only 10 goals in 81 games.