Skille worked hard to get this chance

As Jack Skille was talking with a group of reporters on the eve of his NHL debut with the Blackhawks, every so often one of his teammates would walk by and playfully poke him with a finger, trying to throw the 20-year-old off his game.

One even got in on the interview session, using a piece of protective gear as a microphone.

All of the teasing was done with a smile, but none was bigger than the one permanently plastered on Skille's face.

"I'm really excited; I can't wait to step on the ice during the warmups," said Skille, the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft. "This is great. I thank my family for getting me to the point where I am today."

It's not just his family who can take credit. When he was sent to the minors during training camp, the 6-foot-1 right wing was informed of exactly what it would take for him to make it back to Chicago.

"I was told to work hard (in Rockford) and find my way back up," he said. "That's exactly what I did; I worked hard in practice, in the weight room -- everything I could to get back up here, and (Friday) was my lucky day and they gave me the call."

Skille skated on a line with Yanic Perreault and Rene Bourque during practice Saturday.

"(General manager Dale Tallon) felt it was time for him to see what he's got," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "I think he's going to create some energy for us up and down. He's a strong, big kid that can go to the net.

"I expect him to play well."

As does Skille, who feels he has a lot to offer.

"I think my grit -- dump it in my corner, hopefully, and I'll come out with it," he said. "I'll be driving the net … doing all the right things. In my first game, I've got to keep it simple."

With the addition of Skille to the roster, the Hawks will have their last five first-round draft picks on the ice tonight against Los Angeles.

"It's a great day for the Blackhawks," Savard said. "The price that we had to play for many years is showing up now."

Where's Sergei? Veteran forward Sergei Samsonov's star continues to fade.

The way Denis Savard sees it, Samsonov, because of his style of play, is either going to be a top-six forward or he's not going to see much ice time.

Lately, it's been the latter for Samsonov, who's played in only 23 games thus far and has 4 points, which ranks him 337th in the league in scoring among forwards.

"We've had him there (among the top six) at the start of the year, but people have come up and took the job away -- simple as that," Savard said. "There's no room."

Injury update: Denis Savard said there is a chance forward Martin Havlat (groin) could join the team as soon as Thursday in Phoenix.

The outlook isn't as rosy for defenseman Brent Sopel (finger), who was placed on injured reserve and will not be joining the Hawks on their West Coast trip.