Several Hawks prospects catch Bowman's attention

Marcus Kruger might be a name to file away for September when the Blackhawks head to training camp.

The skilled 20-year-old natural center was one of the players who jumped out at general manager Stan Bowman at last weekend's prospects camp.

And with a few roster spots likely open, Kruger's $735,000 salary works in his favor with the Hawks certain to be up against the NHL's salary cap.

Kruger was drafted in the fifth round in 2009 and is coming off an excellent season for Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Select League, where he was plus-16 with 11 goals and 20 assists in 38 games.

"He was really impressive," Bowman said. "He's a guy who we just drafted last year, and this is his second camp here. He's an excellent player and it wasn't a fluke that he was one of the best rookies in Sweden last year.

"I think a lot of these guys have a chance (to make the team), but we'll see how it sorts itself out."

Defenseman Nick Leddy had a special camp as well. Leddy is the former No. 1 draft pick of the Minnesota Wild who was acquired by the Hawks last February with Kim Johnsson for Cam Barker.

Leddy is small (5-11, 179) but plays the kind of puck possession, speed game the Hawks want from their defensemen.

"Nick Leddy was excellent," Bowman said. "It's the first time we've seen him here in Chicago because we traded for him during the season, but he's really smooth out there. He's going to be a Blackhawk for many years."

Leddy will be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, and it's likely the Hawks want him to go back to school for at least one more year of seasoning.

"I'm probably going back to school, but I'll go home and talk things over with my parents," Leddy said.

Brothers Kevin and Jimmy Hayes also had good camps, according to Bowman.

Kevin Hayes was the Hawks' first-round draft pick a few weeks ago and showed flashes of the skill and playmaking ability that has Bowman so high on him.

Jimmy Hayes is a big winger who was acquired from Toronto the day after the Hawks drafted his brother. Jimmy Hayes was a second-round pick last year by the Maple Leafs.

"The Hayes brothers were really impressive and noticeable," Bowman said. "They really jumped to the top of my mind as guys that consistently each game were difference makers."

The Hayes brothers will play next season at Boston College.

The fifth prospect singled out by Bowman was center Brandon Pirri, a second-round pick in 2009 who had 43 points in 39 games in college for RPI last season.

"A couple guys really surprised me on a positive way," Bowman said.

Defenseman Shawn Lalonde still figures to come to camp with a chance to make the team even though he wasn't singled out by Bowman for his play over the weekend.

Lalonde has a somewhat friendly cap hit of $773,333.

"I think we have players organizationally coming into our team that once they look at the type of players they're going to get to play with, they may take their game to another level," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "There are a lot of guys who should get some consideration (at training camp)."