Lineup For the Chicago Blackhawks Preseason Opener

Here are tonight's lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks in their preseason opener against the Washington Capitals

Forwards

Kris Versteeg-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp-Tomas Kopecky-Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Eager-John Madden-Jack Skille
Bryan Bickell-Jacob Dowell-Danny Bois

Defense

Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook
Cam Barker-Brian Campbell
Brent Sopel-Richard Petiot

Goal-tenders

Cristobal Huet
Corey Crawford

Check back with the West Madison Times for post-game coverage of tonight's Chicago Blackhawks preseason debut.

Chicago Blackhawks Open Training Camp: Let The Battles Begin

The Chicago Blackhawks made huge moves this off-season with the acquisitions of Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky, and John Madden but entering camp their are still plenty of questions that need to be answered.

One of the most immediate questions that needs to be answered is who will replace the point production lost while Marian Hossa recovers from shoulder surgery.

There are several players who figure to attempt to replace Hossa's lost production, including Kris Versteeg, Andrew Ladd, and Dustin Byfuglien.

Of the three players being asked to step up the one who must provide the most is Kris Versteeg. Versteeg had a strong rookie season in which he scored 53 points and was nominated for the Calder Trophy.

However this season Versteeg will be leaned on heavily because of the loss of Hossa but if he struggles in the preseason look for Joel Quenneville to give Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien more ice time and look for Versteeg's to fall.

Although you might not consider this a position battle, it is a battle of ice time on the top two lines, something far more significant that a battle on the third or fourth line.

Now let's move on to the most significant battle of the preseason.

The biggest question entering the 2009-2010 season will be the goal tender behind starter Cristobal Huet.

The two competitors for the back up goal tending position are 25 year old Corey Crawford and 26 year old Antti Niemi.

Crawford was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2003, 52nd overall. He has been playing for the Blackhawks AHL affiliates since 2005 starting 203 games and compiling a record of 111-80-12.

Crawford has paid his dues within the Blackhawks organization and many believe that it is time for him to get some semi-regular time at the NHL level.

On the other side of the competition is Antti Niemi, a Finnish net minder who was signed as a free agent last season. In Niemi's only season with the Blackhawks he spent most of his season in the AHL spliting time with Corey Crawford.

Niemi was fairly impressive in his first season in North America with a record of 18-14-3 with a save percentage of 91% and a goals allowed average of 2.43. Niemi's first season with the Blackhawks included a three game stint at the NHL level.

In those three games Niemi had a record of 1-1-1 with a save percentage of 86% and a goals allowed average of 3.40, not overly impressive numbers but they were his first three games at the NHL level.

As of right now it is anyone's game but with Crawford's experience in the AHL and familiarity with North American style hockey you have to believe his has the inside track

These are just a couple of examples of the difficult decisions that coach Quenneville and GM Stan Bowman face entering the 2009-2010 season. In just a few weeks the season will begin and we should have a better understand of where the Blackhawks stand in these very exciting position battles.

Dany Heatley and The Windy City: A Match Not Made In Heaven

As the Dany Heatley saga continues his list of suitors is ever fluctuating from the Edmonton Oilers to the New York Rangers and now the Chicago Blackhawks.

Multiple sources including the Daily Herald's Tim Sassone have reported that the Chicago Blackhawks have interest in the Ottawa Senators disgruntled sniper.

The two teams have found "common ground" but there is little less than that coming out of either camp.

But why would the Blackhawks be interested in bringing Dany Heatley into the fold?

Well Heatley is a world class hockey player that has the ability to put up 100 point seasons and can make the Blackhawks an even more potent offense but could a marriage of Heatley and the 'Hawks work?

It's doubtful.

Now if the Blackhawks had not signed Marian Hossa to a 12 year deal I could see them having an interest in Heatley but that is not the case.

The biggest reason the Blackhawks likely have no interest in Heatley is because of the money. Heatley has a cap hit of 7.5 million and the Blackhawks currently have 2.9 million in cap room (according to NHL Numbers).

With the money the Blackhawks have remaining they would much rather add a good depth defenseman than another star sniper.

For a Heatley to be traded to the Blackhawks from the Senators the 'Hawks would need to move a couple salaries along with high level prospects or picks.

Another possible sticking point of a Heatley to the 'Hawks deal would be the possible clash in the locker room. The 'Hawks currently have the likes of Hossa, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg.

Now add Heatley to that line up and you add another player who needs the puck to be effective. So can Heatley, who has had a problem with his diminished role in Ottawa deal with not being the number one scoring option in Chicago?

I'm not sure but from his action is Ottawa I would image he still might not be happy.

Only time will tell if Dany Heatley will get his way and leave Ottawa but in my opinion a trade to Chicago might not be his or the Chicago Blackhawks best option.

Chicago Blackhawks Training Camp to Start on September 13th

Today the Chicago Blackhawks announced that their training camp will begin Sunday, September 13th, leading up to their preseason debut against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, September 19th.

For a list of the training camp roster check out the Chicago Blackhawks website

The Blackhawks also announced a list of their non-roster invitees:

Defenseman Daryl Boyle (Norfolk-AHL)
Forward Bryan Ewing (Wheeling-ECHL)
Center Justin Hodgman (Erie-OHL)
Center Bracken Kearns (Norfolk-AHL)
Right Wing Matt Keith (Ingolstadt-ERC)*
Right Wing Derek Nesbitt (San Antonio/Manitoba-AHL)
Defenseman David Phillips (Belfast-EIHL)
Center Maxime Tanguay (Victoriaville-QMJHL)*

* Former Chicago Blackhawks property

Check back with The West Madison Times for more training camp coverage.