Blackhawks forward lines begin to take shape

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville did his best to keep the forward lines mostly intact last season, but that was then and this is now.

The Hawks began the preseason Saturday night against the Washington Capitals at the United Center with Quenneville giving perhaps a strong indication what he is thinking with regard to his lines - at least until Marian Hossa can play.

Kris Versteeg was in the coveted first-line left wing spot with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, while Tomas Kopecky centered for Patrick Sharp and Dustin Byfuglien.

John Madden centered the third line for Ben Eager and Jack Skille with Andrew Ladd and Adam Burish getting the night off.

Once Dave Bolland returns from a sore back, Kopecky could slide back to wing on the third line unless he continues to show he has the skill to play in the top six.

"He's a pretty skilled player, that's for sure," Sharp said. "He can skate well for his size and knows how to play wing and center. He's fit in pretty well with me and Buff, but you know as well as I do that lines change pretty often around here."

Quenneville would like to have his mind made up on lines before the final two exhibition games in Zurich.

No worries: While center Dave Bolland has missed all of training camp so far with a sore lower back, it's not something the Hawks are worried about with the start of the regular season less than two weeks away.

"We expect him on the ice regularly this week," Joel Quenneville said. "It's not a concern at all. Last year he was dealing with the same type of things over the course of the season and never missed any hockey games. It's more preventative and doing the right thing at this time."

Big turnout: Saturday morning's second annual training camp festival outside the United Center drew about 5,500, according to the Hawks.

The morning skate was open to those fans attending the festival with half the lower bowl filled for the workout.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm in Chicago about the Blackhawks starting, especially after last year," Joel Quenneville said.

Tip-ins: Goalies Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi will split tonight's exhibition game in Minnesota against the Wild. ... Joel Quenneville expects more player cuts to come Monday. The Hawks' roster stood at 36 going into the weekend with 21 forwards, 12 defensemen and three goalies.