As Blackhawks open camp, great expectations settle in

It has been more than a decade since the expectations on a Blackhawks team have been this high.

The Hawks began training camp this weekend believing they are a playoff team and a lot of people outside the organization think so as well. The Hockey News, for example, has picked the Hawks to finish sixth in the Western Conference, which would give them their first playoff appearance since 2002.

"You can tell that expectations have been raised and we're not afraid of that," Patrick Sharp said. "We're all ready to take that next step and that's what the good feeling is here. We believe we have a good team, we're not just out there playing. We expect to be great."

The additions of high-priced free agent defenseman Brian Campbell and goalie Cristobal Huet for a combined $79.3 million has shown those returning Hawks that the front office is serious about winning.

"It's time to put our money where out mouth is," captain Jonathan Toews said.

With expectations comes pressure, but the Hawks say they are ready for that as well. And it's not just the pressure that comes on the ice. Off the ice this is a team now with every game on local television and sellout crowds are likely to be the norm at the United Center thanks to booming season ticket sales that could approach 14,000.

"There is a lot of pressure," Patrick Kane said. "Everything seems to be going on, with our big free agent signings, season ticket sales; there's a buzz in the city about the Blackhawks again.

"Now when I drive down the street people are flashing their Blackhawks shirts at me. That never would have happened last year. All this stuff is happening and we haven't even played or won a game yet. We have to get off to a big start."

In other words, it's time to deliver on all the off-season hype.

"That's the expectation now, but that's great," Adam Burish said. "As a player you want those expectations. Last season you heard it, 'Well, we'll see what happens and hopefully we'll have a good year.' Now we're expected to make the playoffs.

"But guys have put the expectations on themselves that we're going to make the playoffs. The people that we have here now, it's as good as a team that's been here in a long time."

• It was expected that Brent Sopel would be defense partners with Brian Campbell, and it still might end up that way. But when the preseason schedule starts on Tuesday against Columbus, Hawks coach Denis Savard plans to see how Cam Barker looks with Campbell.

The Hawks are hoping for a breakout year from Barker, the third player taken in the 2004 draft.

"Barker has gotten bigger and leaner," general manager Dale Tallon said.

Savard plans to keep Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook as partners on defense.

"They've been a great pair for us," Savard said.

• Dustin Byfuglien has reported to camp at 247 pounds, the first time he has been under 250, according to Dale Tallon.

Byfuglien, perhaps celebrating his new contract that will pay him $3 million a year, also has changed his uniform number from 52 to 33.

"Buff looks terrific," Tallon said. "He's really made a commitment (to fitness)."