Tallon still looking at 'possible moves'

Now that most of the dust has settled from free agency, does the Blackhawks' roster look about the same as it will at the start of training camp?

"We're real close," general manager Dale Tallon said.

Close, as in not done yet.

It's believed Tallon still is looking to add another forward to his top nine, possibly a center, although if the season started today the Hawks would line up with Jonathan Toews, Robert Lang, Dave Bolland and Adam Burish down the middle.

"There are a couple possible moves," Tallon said. "I'm looking to either upgrade or to add or trade for. I've got a couple things in the fire."

The Hawks have added three players via free agency in defensemen Brian Campbell and Matt Walker and goaltender Cristóbal Huet.

Gone from the roster since the end of season are Rene Bourque, Yanic Perreault, Jason Williams, Andrei Zyuzin and Patrick Lalime.

Terms of Walker's one-year contract were not released when he signed Monday, but the physical defenseman will earn $600,000 this season.

Scary moment: Wednesday's rookie-camp scrimmage ended early after an injury to defenseman Simon Danis-Pepin.

Pepin hurt his neck in a collision and lay motionless on the ice for several moments as the Hawks' medical staff rushed to his side.

Pepin complained of pain running down his neck and was immobilized as a precaution and taken to Loyola Medical Center for X-rays.

Blackhawks trainer Mike Gapski later said Pepin would be fine.

"Everything was moving free and there was no loss of feeling," Gapski said. "He just had some neck pain and we wanted to make sure he was OK."

Looking good: Winger Akim Aliu, the 56th pick in the 2007 draft, had an impressive scrimmage Wednesday and continues to be a presence in camp.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Aliu could be a sleeper at training camp when it comes to challenging for a roster spot.

Goalie Antti Niemi, the 24-year-old Finn signed as a free agent, also looked quick and sharp for the second day in a row.

Winger Bill Sweatt, the 38th player taken in 2007, has opened a lot of eyes with his speed.

Tip-ins: The Hawks have hired Mark Kelly as director of amateur scouting. . . . Today's scrimmage will start earlier at 11:30 a.m., at the Edge in Bensenville, and is open to the public. . . . Among the group of pros practicing this week but not participating in the scrimmages are goalie Corey Crawford, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and forwards Bryan Bickell, Petri Kontiola and Nathan Davis.