Tallon tries to take the high road on loss of Havlat

Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon doesn't want to get in a war of words with either Martin Havlat or Havlat's agent, Allan Walsh, over their failed contract negotiations.

Havlat, in a Twitter message, was critical of the Hawks, questioning the team's honesty and loyalty.

"I understand they're upset, that they think that maybe we didn't make them a fair offer," Tallon said Thursday. "They wanted long term and we wanted short term.

"I have nothing ill to say about either one of them. They can say what they want."

Havlat wound up signing a six-year, $30 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. That's a $5 million cap hit. The Hawks believe they got a better player in Marian Hossa for a cap hit of $5.2 million over 12 years.

Oh, Canada: Four Hawks were among the 46 players invited Thursday to Team Canada's orientation camp.

Canada GM Steve Yzerman asked Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp to attend the camp to be held Aug. 24-27 in Calgary.

Next up: The Hawks' annual prospects camp opens Monday at Johnny's Ice House near the United Center.

Among the prospects the Hawks are most eager to see are winger Kyle Beach, their 2008 first-round draft pick, defenseman Dylan Olsen, their 2009 first-rounder, winger Akim Aliu and defenseman Shawn Lalonde.