Hawks' Skille out to prove he belongs on NHL stage

It might be overly dramatic to call this a make-or-break season for Jack Skille, but the Blackhawks' first-round draft pick from 2005 probably will never have a better chance to show he belongs in the NHL.

There's a spot on the third or fourth line waiting for Skille, who has had to deal with the hype of being the seventh pick in the '05 draft and the expectations that come with that of being someone who should be a top-six forward.

"There's a little pressure, but as you mature you realize that's not something to worry about," Skille said. "I just need to play my game and play with confidence and I'll be fine."

Skille understands his game is that of a grinding-type winger who needs to make things happen by crashing and banging. He did have 23 goals and 50 points in Rockford last season, but the Hawks aren't necessarily looking for him to put the puck in the net.

"Wherever the coach puts me is my role," Skille said. "I could play top six. I proved that to myself playing in Rockford. But I'm more of a grinder-type role, get the puck in and get after it and try to make a play down low."

There are jobs still to be won on the third and fourth lines and coach Joel Quenneville believes Skille has what the Hawks need.

"I think he's one guy who possesses some NHL skill and ability," Quenneville said. "He's got speed and a great shot. Last year was a tough year for him because there was probably some chances when he deserved to be here, but you like Jack and he's got what we're looking for."

More predictability and consistency is what Quenneville wants to see from Skille the rest of the preseason.

"Finding the right role or job description might make his entrance a lot easier, and he can find that niche and improve off that," Quenneville said. "You get pegged with being a draft pick at that level and it's almost like expectations are a little bit different and sometimes there's pressure on you.

"But at the same time at some point in their careers they become more mature and they get it. All of a sudden they understand the game and it becomes easier to become that player that you always looked to be. But in his situation we need his energy, we need his pace to his game, and that can be a real nice fit."

Skille's new contract and $600,000 cap hit make him an even better fit. Last season he still was playing under his entry-level contract, which because he was a top-10 draft pick had a cap hit of more than $1 million.

With the Hawks up against the salary cap last season, that high cap hit kept Skille in the minors.

"I'm not worried about that now," Skille said. "I'm just worried about playing well and playing well with the guys I get put together with. I know Stan (Bowman) has confidence in me and so does the coaching staff."

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