Former Blackhawks goalie Raanta tries to make amends

Sometimes, as Antti Raanta found out this past summer, honesty is not the best policy.

Raanta, who was traded to the New York Rangers after being in the Chicago Blackhawks' organization the last two years, told a Finnish newspaper that he hoped the Hawks would lose to Nashville in the first round of the playoffs.

Raanta, who played in 14 games and had a .936 save percentage last season, was frustrated that he had been passed on the depth chart by Scott Darling.

Sitting in front of his locker stall before Wednesday's season opener, Raanta did his best to explain what he was feeling late last season.

"I understand that the fans might have a little bit of disappointment (in) me, but hopefully they understand that it's not what I was thinking the whole playoff time," Raanta said. "One hour, one day. When you're frustrated, you get lots of things going on in your mind.

"Hopefully everybody understands that and hopefully after this night, everybody can forget that."

Raanta, who was given his Stanley Cup ring by Blackhawks Vice President of Hockey Operations Al MacIsaac on Wednesday morning, seemed a bit disappointed that his name isn't on the Cup itself.

"I didn't know what to think about that. … It's not there, so it's not there," he said. "I know that I was part of the team, so that's good enough. What are you gonna do about that anymore?"

Rocky start?

There are a lot of new faces for Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and the rest of the veteran Hawks to become acquainted with on the ice this season.

With that in mind, should the Hawks expect to get off to a rocky start?

Toews scoffs at that notion.

"I think if you expect rocky times, then that's what you're going to get. We're not planning on that at all," Toews said. "We want to come in here, play well - feel loose, feel comfortable. But have fun and play with a lot of energy and play well at the beginning."

Slapshots:

With the Hawks playing back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Joel Quenneville said it's "likely" Corey Crawford and Scott Darling will each get a start. … Kyle Cumiskey, who is rehabbing from a lower-body injury, signed a professional tryout with Rockford.

He said it:

"Either one. Whoever's closer."

- Joel Quenneville on whether he uses Viktor Tikhonov or Artemi Anisimov as an interpreter when he wants to speak to Artemi Panarin.