Blackhawks’ rookie Kantserov focused on building relationships

It’s a shortened training camp for the Blackhawks, so there’s no time to take their time. Building chemistry, shaking off rust and getting comfortable all must be achieved within the next week before the season opens Sept. 29 in Las Vegas.

That’s particularly true for rookie winger Roman Kantserov and the other newcomers the Hawks brought in during the offseason. The 22-year-old Russian is taking it upon himself to develop those on-ice relationships, almost like a veteran.

Kantserov has been vocal with all of his new teammates, especially Patrick Kane and Frank Nazar. He has skated on the top line at left wing with Nazar in the middle and Kane on the right.

“If Coach (Jeff Blashill is) talking about how we play our drills, if I don’t understand, I just ask (and) they help me,” Kantserov said. “Like power play, with Patrick with how I need (to) support him on (the) bumper, how I can play with the other guys. I like this. (It’s a) new opportunity for me.”

Kane and Nazar have noticed Kantserov’s efforts early.

“He’s got a lot of skill, he’s very smooth,” Kane said Thursday. “He speaks pretty good English (because) he wants to communicate too. He wants to know certain things about the games or the drills we’re doing or what I’m seeing on the ice, and same thing for me with him and Frank.”

Added Nazar: “I thought he was really good. He competed and won puck battles. What he can do with the puck, he looked really good and excited to see what we can do.”

Kantserov is coming off his best season for the KHL’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He had 64 points (36 goals, 28 assists) in 63 regular-season games and added four goals and four assists in 15 playoff games. His goal and point totals were the highest in league history for a player under 22.

Going from one professional league to another should help ease Kantserov’s adjustment, though he already notices differences between the Russian and American leagues.

“Here, everyone is like (a) smart guy, (they’re) so fast and strong,” Kantserov said. “In my hometown, we have (a) one-month camp, we have so (much) time. In Russia, we have all month to practice like how we play.”

Kantserov likely will remain a top-six forward when Connor Bedard returns, and the two might share the top line together. They’re building a relationship despite not playing together yet.

“Every night he texts me, like, ‘We go movie,’ ‘We go dinner if you want to join to us,’” Kantserov said. “He’s a great guy.”

The Hawks have struck out before in finding the long-awaited answer to a long-term winger for Bedard, so Kantserov has that pressure coming in. But he faced his own burdens in the KHL, and he’s not overly concerned about it.

“I have same opportunity (to) play in the first line and power play, (so) I need (to) just play my game,” Kantserov said. “Of course, I need (to understand that) this is the best league. I need discipline.”

Blashill, in his typical cool demeanor, has praised his new wing during camp. He also brushed off the pressure Kantserov may face, noting that he just wants the rookie to be himself.

“On tape he showed a real high hockey IQ,” Blashill said. “I really like his efficient skill. He doesn’t need to be trained to play a 200-foot game — he already does. All those things pointed to me that he has a chance to come in here and be a real solid player.

“I don’t necessarily want to make it a bigger deal than it is. All he’s got to do is just go have fun playing hockey. He’s done a really good job so far of being pretty even-keeled, not seeing anything (that) totally bothers him.”

Kantserov almost scored in his first NHL preseason game Monday night against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. On a high-quality shift in the third period, Bowen Byram attempted to pass to the 22-year-old, but the defenseman instead tapped the puck in himself for his second goal of the game. Kantserov notched an assist on the play.

Kantserov did say he felt some nerves before the preseason game. Overtaking that anxiety was his visible excitement to take the ice as a Hawk for the first time.

“I think everybody’s nervous before the first season,” Kantserov said, “but it’s like great nervous, (so) I’m excited.”