Blackhawks' rebuilding project officially gets underway — and Kane is on board

Where are Jonathan Toews and Corey Crawford?Where are Brandon Saad and Kirby Dach?Where is their happy ending?Where have all the Blackhawks gone?

#8226; #8226; #8226;

With apologies to Paula Cole for ripping off her smash hit from 1997, that could very well be the 2021 theme song for a franchise that dominated the last decade with three Stanley Cup titles.

Indeed, it must have been a strange feeling for Patrick Kane to hit the ice Monday for the first training camp practice at Fifth Third Arena.

Gone are the championship expectations. Gone are realistic hopes of reaching the playoffs.

Now, it's about watching young players develop and hoping they're ready to at least compete at the highest level.

It's a strange spot for Kane, who remains at the top of his game. The last thing the 32-year-old wants is to waste a season.

But the longtime veteran knows better than to gripe publicly. Better to look at the bright side and try to help speed up the rebuilding process.

#8220;As an organization you have guys at the top that are going to make those calls that you have to respect and you have to abide by,#8221; Kane said when asked how he felt about the decision to let Crawford walk. #8220;Our job is to go play the games, to try and develop ourselves to be the best we can; and their job is do make those decisions. As tough as they are some times that's just the way it is.

#8220;They obviously have a vision for what (the present and) the future looks like. We have to be a part of that. We have to jump on board to what their thinking is and what their vision is so we can help make that happen.#8221;

Losing Toews is obviously a big blow. The captain will miss all of training camp and is out indefinitely with an unspecified illness.

#8220;He's obviously in the back of our minds and we're thinking about him,#8221; said Kane, who has talked with Toews but didn't want to get into the details of their conversation. #8220;It doesn't really feel like a team without Johnny as your captain. We definitely miss him, but he's got to take care of this first.#8221;

Also out are Dach (fractured wrist) and Alex Nylander (knee). Throw in the fact forward Zack Smith was put on waivers and defenseman Brent Seabrook was unfit to participate Monday, and it gives plenty of opportunity to a host of young players.

The problem is there's only eight days until the season opener at Tampa Bay. It doesn't give Jeremy Colliton much time to see how everyone gels and how they adapt to his system.

One thing the coach made clear, however, is that nobody should feel comfortable about their roster spot. Or their role.

Get on board, play the right way and get better every day #8212; and you will be rewarded.

Slack off, cheat for offense or give up on a play #8212; and you might be headed for the bench. Or worse.

#8220;That's a cultural thing that we have to drive every day as a coaching staff, but it's also the leaders of our team pushing the young players,#8221; Colliton said. #8220;(Let them know) when you walk in the door it's not just playing in the NHL and this is amazing. There's work to do and if you want to earn your spot and keep your spot, work's got to be done.

#8220;That's exciting. Love the vibe in here right now. We had a good first day and it's on to tomorrow.#8221;

Kane agrees and believes the Hawks can surprise some opponents #8212; as well as the pundits #8212; along the way.

#8220;As a player, you want to win now. You want to compete now,#8221; Kane said. #8220;And I think we can do that with this group. ... We have a lot of guys that work hard; we have a lot guys that are competing for a job that will follow a team structure. ...

#8220;Jeremy's a great communicator. He's always talking, always trying to get input. You appreciate that as a player. But ... nothing really changes for me. Enjoy being around the young guys, trying to help them develop.

#8220;Hopefully we can make the most of this season.#8221;