Improved tough guy Koci ready to serve and protect

There's little doubt that tough guy David Koci is going to make the Blackhawks' 23-man opening-night roster.

It's obvious the Hawks need someone to protect their slew of skill players in a division where enforcers Jody Shelley of Columbus and Darcy Hordichuk of Nashville reside -- along with nasty boys such as Detroit's Kris Draper, Dallas Drake and Kirk Maltby and the Predators' Jordin Tootoo.

The 6-foot-6, 238-pound Koci, who had an entertaining fight with Minnesota's John Scott in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Wild at the United Center, has the size and credentials to stand up to anyone. Scott racked up a combined 311 penalty minutes last season between Norfolk and Chicago.

Koci also reported to camp with an improved all-around game, which is what the Hawks told him he had to have when he left last season to make the team this year.

"His skating is better," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "I know he worked with somebody in Montreal, and it looks like it helped him a lot. He came in great shape, and that's a big plus for him."

Koci averaged less than five minutes of ice time in the nine games he played last season with the Hawks, racking up 88 penalty minutes.

"I'm a physical guy that can hit, but I want to show management I can play hockey a little bit, too, and not just the fighting," Koci said. "I'm trying to show I can be good defensively and on the forecheck, that's what I'm trying to do right now.

"This summer I worked on my game because I think it's important to know how to play the game these days and not just go out there and fight. Guys like that don't have too many spots on teams right now."

Nevertheless, nobody has to remind Koci what his role is -- protecting the likes of Martin Havlat, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

"I know my role and I'm willing to do anything to help this organization get better," Koci said.

Koci has played three strong exhibition games. He delivered the biggest hits of the night in Thursday's 1-0 loss to Florida.

"If he continues to play like he has, it'll be tough to send him back," Savard said prior to Friday's game. "He gives us a toughness element and grit. And for the role he plays, I'm not afraid to play him. He knows the structure and plays it well.

"He's a physical player and has lots of poise. He's played two good games and was good in the scrimmages in training camp."

Kane impresses: It was a quiet game Friday with nothing happening from No. 1 draft pick Patrick Kane until the third period when he made a nice move behind the net and fed James Wisniewski for a goal, then scored himself.

Kane's goal made it 4-3, then Sergei Samsonov tied it with one second to play in regulation on a feed from Martin Havlat.

Minnesota got the winner from Mikko Koivu on a power play with Kane in the penalty box for holding with six seconds left in overtime.

Tip-ins: Patrick Lalime started against the Wild. Denis Savard said Nikolai Khabibulin would get the next two starts, Sunday against St. Louis and Tuesday at Florida. … The first significant cuts of training camp will be made today. The players trimmed will report to Rockford's training camp Sunday.