Winter Classic coming into focus

The much anticipated Winter Classic at Wrigley Field between the Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 1 is less than four weeks away and the hype has begun.

In the next week or so, according to the Hawks, the NHL will be constructing the ice surface that is set to extend from shallow left field to shallow right field and skimming the infield from shortstop to where the second baseman plays.

Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell, who played in the last Winter Classic last Jan. 1 while with Buffalo, participated in a national conference call with reporters Thursday as the league unofficially kicked off the countdown to the game.

Campbell said he and his teammates really haven't started thinking about the game.

"You can't look ahead too much," Campbell said. "We have so many games on the schedule.

"Right now it's trying to make sure you can get tickets for your family and getting everybody to come in."

Campbell thinks the atmosphere in and around Wrigley Field on New Year's Day is going to be something special.

"It will be like a playoff game around there for baseball," Campbell said. "The atmosphere around the streets, the tailgating, the bars, the restaurants, it's going to be a huge joy for the whole city of Chicago and the whole National Hockey League."

Wait and see: Hawks coach Joel Quenneville hopes injured goalie Nikolai Khabibulin can return to practice today.

Even if Khabibulin's sore groin is improved, Cristobal Huet still will start Saturday's game in Detroit. There's a slight chance Khabibulin could play Sunday against Phoenix at the United Center, but it's not likely.

"Once he joins (practice) we'll have a clearer idea," Quenneville said. "There might be a small chance he could play by the weekend, but I think we might be looking more toward next week."

Khabibulin's return could come Wednesday against Ottawa at the UC.

Tip-ins: The Hawks' second annual fan convention will be July 17-19 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Ticket information will be available at a later date - Steve Yzerman, the general manager of the 2010 Canadian Olympic team, scouted Wednesday's game. Hawks Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook are likely candidates to be invited to next summer's training camp. Toews probably is the only lock to make Team Canada for the Vancouver Games.