Khabibulin looks fit, ready

While most eyes have been focused on the young players in Blackhawks camp and what they can inject into an otherwise struggling offense, the player who may be the key to the season is goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.

After a so-so season last year, Khabibulin reported to camp in great shape, ready to do his part.

"This year I started working out earlier than usual," Khabibulin said. "But the last six or seven years I've really tried to prepare myself to be in good physical condition. Actually, the older I get, it's actually getting easier because I don't have to do as much. I think my base is pretty good now."

Goaltenders coach Stephane Waite likes what he has seen so far.

"He's quicker than last year," Waite said. "I'm looking for big things from him."

So is head coach Denis Savard.

"Nik's a champion," Savard said. "It's difficult when you know you can't score goals; that was a problem last year. He's going to have plenty of chances to win the 4-3 games, the 5-4 games."

It's go time: Denis Savard met with his players prior to Friday's practice and let them know there's no time to be putzing around.

"The point I made to my players was that we're going to turn the switch on right now, because I don't think all of us have turned it on," Savard said. "The guys have to understand that they're fighting for jobs and they're fighting to see who is in the starting lineup on October 4, because I have a lot of options."

New guy: Defenseman Karl Pilar, claimed on waivers from the Atlanta Thrashers, skated with the Hawks for the first time Friday morning.

"He's played 97 NHL games, he's been in the playoffs, so that gives us some experience," Denis Savard said of the 6-foot-2, 206-pound defenseman. "I like his size. He's a guy that plays with passion, he can be physical … there's a lot of positives."

Injury list: Forwards Martin Havlat (groin) and Tuomo Ruutu (knee), neither of whom skated Friday, are still day to day, according to Denis Savard.

"They're not going to play (today), but there is a chance they'll play Sunday (in Minnesota)," he said. "They should be all right for the start of the year."

Savard wasn't quite as optimistic about rookie Jonathan Toews (broken finger).

"(Opening) night, I hope, if not, probably opening night at home against Detroit," Savard said. "We'd like to have him in there, no doubt, but it's not a sprint, it's a marathon."

The Hawks' other prized rookie, Patrick Kane, showed no lingering effects of a groin injury, scoring twice in spectacular fashion during shootout drills.

"That's all talent," Savard said.