Montador struggling to find his game on defense

For the second day in a row at practice Wednesday, Steve Montador was skating with John Scott as the Blackhawks’ fourth defense pair.

It’s looking possible that Montador, who signed a four-year, $11 million contract after being targeted by general manager Stan Bowman in free agency, might not be in the lineup Friday when the season opens in Dallas.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville admitted that Montador didn’t have a very strong training camp or preseason.

“I think he’s had a so-so camp,” Quenneville said. “If you’d ask him he’d probably feel he’s been better. He’s improved as he has gone along here in camp, but we’ll continue to make sure he’s comfortable.

“That hesitation in his game, whether it’s new teammates, new systems, thinking before you react — I think once he just gets out there and plays he’ll be more comfortable. Once he gets acclimated and comfortable his game will be where it needs to be.”

Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook will start the season split up, with Keith paired with Nick Leddy and Seabrook with Niklas Hjalmarsson.

The third defense pair in practice this week as been Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lespisto.

Work to do:Even though Marcus Kruger failed to make the team, GM Stan Bowman remains high on the rookie center.One thing the Hawks want Kruger to work on at Rockford is his offense and playmaking ability.#147;The one thing we haven#146;t yet seen over here, but he definitely has it, is offensive ability,#148; Bowman said. #147;Once he adds that to the mix, he#146;s going to be a big part of this team. We#146;re still real high on him.#148;Added Joel Quenneville: #147;There#146;s nothing wrong with starting and spending time in the minors to grow as a person and grow in your game, whether it#146;s in the strength department or confidence with the puck offensively.#148;Money matters:Rookie Brendan Saad#146;s salary cap hit is $925,000, according to Capgeek.com. That includes a potential games played bonus of $307,500, which would only kick in should he played in all 82.The Hawks have $3.028 million in cap space heading into the regular season.Not quite there:Brandon Saad, who turns 19 on Oct. 27, is hardly the youngest player to make his NHL debut with the Hawks.That distinction belongs to Grant Mulvey, who in 1974 was 18 years old and 22 days when he played his first game for the Hawks. Eddie Olczyk is second on the list at 18 years and 56 days.