Skille in position to show he's here to stay

In the eyes of Blackhawks coach Denis Savard, rookie right wing Jack Skille remains a work in progress.

"He's one of my projects," Savard said of the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft. "I'm going to continue to show films to him and continue to show the good things he does to build his confidence because he's going to be a Hawk for sure someday … for good."

Skille, who was called up by the Hawks on Dec. 29 and played his first NHL game a day later, is hoping by the time all the tools from Project 2008 are put away and the place is swept up that he still will be a big part of Savard's squad when March rolls around.

"I feel like I can play here," Skille said. "I think I'm getting better every day."

If he turns in more performances like he did Wednesday night against St. Louis, you'd have to like his chances.

Seeing more ice time after winger Kris Versteeg left the game with a shoulder injury, Skille had a goal and an assist in the Hawks' 6-1 victory.

"Jack Skille stepped it up," Savard said after the game. "He had a heck of a game for us."

In nine games thus far, the speedy Skille has 2 goals and 2 assists and is plus-1.

"Guys that play with him have to recognize that he's got a lot of speed, and if you can get him the puck wide, or if not, get it in deep, he'll be first on the puck," Savard said. "I don't think anybody can skate as well as he does on other teams, so it's up to his teammates to recognize what he's about."

And it's up to Skille to work on the other areas of his game that his coach wants to see improve.

Right now, that's a fairly extensive list.

"Board work, 1-on-1 battles down low, protecting the puck in the offensive zone, and creating offense, playing the body, shooting the puck, driving the net … really all the little things to make you a responsible player all around the ice," Skille said.

"I'm not really worried about scoring goals or getting points. I worry about being responsible first and then take it from there."

Before his NHL debut against Los Angeles, Skille, 20, admitted he was a bundle of nerves. But after a handful of games with the parent club …

"That's gone," he said. "I've been here a couple of weeks now.

"You practice and feel better, and once you do that it transfers into games. I'm feeling better and better each game."

But will he still be here after the Hawks' injured players return?

It depends on whom you ask.

"He's still young, and he has a lot of energy. Whether he's here for the rest of the year, we'll see," Savard said.

How about it, Jack?

"I don't know; it's hard to tell. I don't want to jinx myself, but I would hope so," Skille said. "I have the confidence to play well here.

"I really think I can play at this level."