Blackhawks will be without Sharp to open camp

It doesn’t really matter that the Blackhawks will be without Patrick Sharp when training camp opens on Friday, or that they could be without Patrick Kane.

What the Hawks need is for their two offensive stars to be on the ice Oct. 7 in Dallas when the puck drops for the regular season.

Sharp, who underwent an emergency appendectomy Monday night, is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks, which could make him questionable for the season opener.

Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry anticipates a full recovery for Sharp, and there have been instances where athletes return quicker than expected from an appendectomy.

Kane had surgery to repair a fractured left wrist on July 19 and is expected to get the splint removed Thursday.

Kane said last week he hoped to be ready to participate on the ice when camp opened, but that will depend on what the doctors say.

Barring an unexpected major setback, Kane certainly should be ready to start the regular season. In fact, he said he is hoping to get in 3-4 preseason games.

The Hawks have no other injuries heading to camp. Left wing Bryan Bickell told reporters Monday he is 100 percent recovered from the right wrist surgery he underwent last April during the playoffs to repair two torn tendons.