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The league's thinking was it would open the five-hole area and increase scoring.

For Hawks’ Smith, the time is now

"I feel good in them right now," the Blackhawks goaltender said of his new pads. "That's not going to be a problem. It's not going to be an excuse either. I feel like I've been wearing them for like a full season now and I feel comfortable."

So is the NHL correct in its thinking that the five-hole will be open more?

"It depends on the situation," Crawford said. "If you open up a little too early, then it's a little more open. But if you play the situation right and are patient and let the shooter make the first move, it's fine."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville is taking a wait-and-see approach to the new pads.

"The goalies, they actually feel all right," Quenneville said. "We'll see how that progresses. The guys that are down there shooting every day might see something, but I don't know if you have that much time to get a look."

Crawford looked sharp in Tuesday's preseason opener, a 19-save 2-0 shutout of the Detroit Red Wings.

"That's the main goal, to not let anything in," Crawford said. "We didn't give up too much, and it wasn't the toughest night. Still, I felt good in there. I would've liked to get a little more key situations, a couple more shots in the slot or a couple more plays around the net just to get the hang of it, but it was a good night."

No Kostka update:

Wednesday was the Hawks' first training camp day off so there was no injury update on defenseman Mike Kostka, who left Tuesday's game 2:16 into the first period after being run into the end boards head first by Red Wings forward Teemu Pulkkinen.

Pulkkinen has an in-person hearing with NHL officials.

Kostka is having a solid training camp with the Hawks.

"He's had a real good camp," Joel Quenneville said. "We like what he brings to our team. He defends real well and is real active off the attack. He's good off the point, wants the puck, makes plays and sees plays. I think he's going to be useful."

Detroit had two players ejected for boarding. Mitch Callahan received a game misconduct in the second period for hitting Sheldon Brookbank from behind.

"I would have liked to have our two players that got kicked out," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. "You play your first game of the year and suddenly you've got nine forwards there and they're out of gas fast."

Getting the point:

Winger Daniel Alfredsson, who signed with Detroit after 17 seasons in Ottawa, appeared in his first game with his new team on Tuesday.

"It doesn't feel that different," Alfredsson said. "You dress for the team and you're playing a game and the only jerseys you really look at are the other team's. It hasn't been like, 'Oh, my God,' that kind of feeling for me so far. I'm sure once the regular season starts there'll be a little bit more attention."

Alfredsson played the right point on the power play.

"I think I play a pretty solid two-way game, and also being a right-handed shot on the power play I can really help out, because they don't really have a right-handed defenseman," Alfredsson said. "I'll try to play the point here and see how it goes."

Outdoor game:

The NHL will hold a news conference on Thursday at Soldier Field to promote the March 1 outdoor game between the Hawks and Penguins. Executives and players from both teams are expected to attend along with Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 09.19.2013

717239 Chicago Blackhawks

Toews out until the weekend

Posted by TimS on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 17:00

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is leaning toward keeping Jonathan Toews out of the lineup until this weekend.

Toews has been sideline all of training camp with a lower body injury that Quenneville said wasn't serious.

"I'm leaning more toward the weekend with him, even though I'm sure he's going to want to play (Thursday against Pittsburgh)," Quenneville said.

None of the Hawks' injured players faced the Red Wings at the United Center on Tuesday. Brandon Pirri (lower body), Michal Handzus (upper body) and Michal Rozsival (lower body) all remained out.

Pirri could return on Thursday against Pittsburgh while Handzus and Rozsival figure to get in a few games "towards the end, for sure," Quenneville said.

As for the goalies, Corey Crawford got the start Tuesday and was scheduled to play the entire game.

"We've got six games so Corey hopefully he plays half," Quenneville said. "Khabby (Nikolai Khabibulin) will get a couple and we'll see with (Antti) Raanta. I'm sure he'll get a game as well."

The Hawks play at Washington on Friday, Detroit on Sunday and Pittsburgh on Monday.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 09.19.2013

717240 Chicago Blackhawks

Five who have put themselves in good position for Hawks

Tracey Myers|September 18, 2013, 4:15 pm

Ben Smith felt a big weight go off his shoulders when he deflected a Jimmy Hayes shot for a goal in the Blackhawks’ preseason opener on Tuesday night.

“It’s a process,” Smith said. “I just want to build off that on Thursday if I’m playing.”

Chances are Smith will be playing. The Blackhawks have four preseason games in the next five days, and coach Joel Quenneville said “a very good portion” of Rockford players will be suited up for these games. It’s their chance to compete for the few spots the Blackhawks have available on the regular-season roster.

"We’re still looking for that niche in that spot in the penalty killing role. We’ll watch how that plays out,” Quenneville said. “But it could be the best players or more useful players. It’s a good problem to have. We’ll see how that sorts out.”

The true tests are about to begin. Yesterday, we talked about the emotions and pressures of competing for spots. Now let’s take a look at who’s already given themselves good chances to make the Blackhawks and who will need to show something over these next few games.

Jimmy Hayes

Quenneville was happy with Hayes’ work right off the bat this fall. The big forward said he spent the summer working on his overall fitness to improve his skating, and it’s evident. Hayes has moved well and played well in team scrimmages, and again in the preseason opener on Tuesday night.

With Bryan Bickell moving up to the top line right now, Hayes could certainly be the new Bickell on the checking line.

Ben Smith

Ask him or Quenneville how Smith’s camp is going, both said, “OK.” Not the greatest endorsement. But Smith played well against Detroit on Tuesday, getting right in front of the net on his goal – “that’s Benny’s bread and butter,” Quenneville said. And Smith will need to do more of that if he wants to crack this lineup.

Could Smith be that penalty killer Quenneville is looking for? Smith, who’s killed penalties in Rockford, is open to it.

“All the guys have said it: whatever we’re asked to do, we’ll do it,” he said. “I’ve worked on it the last three years in Rockford, and I’m definitely willing to give it a shot and earn a role here.”

Brandon Pirri

General manager Stan Bowman listed Pirri as one of the Rockford players who’s earned a chance to join the Blackhawks. And Pirri said he’s willing to play center on whatever line is available to make the team. Right now, however, Pirri’s out with an injury he sustained last weekend in Notre Dame. Quenneville said Pirri should get back on the ice the next few days, but how much of that will be game action? Will the injury down time cost Pirri? Will others pass him by?

Suddenly, there are a lot more questions than answers regarding Pirri’s potential of staying here. If he gets into games soon and plays well, he should make it.

Jeremy Morin

He’s had some solid moments at camp, albeit not as noticeable as a guy like Hayes has been. Morin has good instincts and is alert to teammates around him, as his drop-pass assist on Patrick Sharp’s goal against Detroit reminded us.

In 2010-11, Morin’s preseason nearly earned him a spot out of camp, and eventually did earn him nine games with the Blackhawks. He’s looking for something more long term now, but he’ll have to do more to get it.

Ryan Stanton

Stanton’s ability is there, and the coaches are happy with what he’s done in Rockford. He’s also having a nice camp. But what hurts Stanton has little to do with his game. It has to do with the numbers game. The Blackhawks are already loaded at defensemen: all seven from last season are back, and the team also signed Theo Peckham this offseason.

Quenneville has said Stanton will probably see games this season, but those games probably won’t come at the start of the season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.19.2013

717241 Chicago Blackhawks

ESPN ranks four Blackhawks forwards in top 25

September 18, 2013, 11:45 am

By Charlie Roumeliotis

ESPN released rankings of the top 100 forwards in the NHL, voted on by experts, heading into the 2013-14 season and four Blackhawks were included inside the top 25.

Jonathan Toews ranked third, behind Pittsburgh's duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, while Patrick Kane also cracked the top 10 by earning the ninth spot.

Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp, who led the Blackhawks with 10 postseason goals last season, came in at 18th and 23rd, respectively.

Brandon Saad, who was a 2013 Calder Trophy finalist, tied five other players for the 78th slot.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.19.2013

717242 Chicago Blackhawks

Pulkkinen will have hearing for hit on Kostka

Tracey Myers

September 18, 2013, 9:45 am

Detroit Red Wings forward Teemu Pulkkinen will have a hearing Thursday for his hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michael Kostka, the NHL announced Wednesday morning.

Pulkkinen was assessed a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct for the hit on Kostka, which came early in the first period of the Blackhawks’ 2-0 victory over the Wings on Tuesday night. Kostka did not return to the game.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville called the hit “very dangerous.”

Pulkkinen was given the chance for an in-person hearing. An in-person hearing means the suspension can exceed five games.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.19.2013

717243 Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche start preseason against Anaheim Ducks; Patrick Roy's presence felt

By Adrian DaterPosted: 09/18/2013 09:39:20 PM MDT

Patrick Roy will almost certainly survive his first season as Avalanche coach, but his voice might not. Roy gave his lungs quite a workout Wednesday night, and this was just the first preseason game.

Whether barking out high-pitched vocal commands or a whistle louder than any that could be found in a store, Roy's presence definitely was felt in his maiden game behind an NHL bench.

A lot of hockey coaches strangely tend to be very quiet and stationary during a game. Not Roy. Not only are his vocal cords in full use, Roy is always walking back and forth, rarely standing still for more than a second.

Against the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center, Roy showed the full range of emotions too. He often seemed happy with what

The Denver Post's Adrian Dater and Mike Chambers post analysis, notes and more on this blog focusing on the Colorado Avalanche.

he saw, but when he wasn't, it was obvious.

In the end, Roy lost his first game, but at least it didn't count. The Ducks got a 2-1 victory over the Avs in front of a smallish crowd.

When the Avs were pinned in their own zone for nearly a minute on a penalty kill in the first period, Roy put his hands on his hips and scurried back and forth to assistant coach Tim Army, gesturing pointedly.

Roy, who signed a four-year contract to serve as coach and vice president of hockey operations, made clear to his team that exhibition games are important if it is to begin the turnaround to prosperity.

Roy wants to win as many games as he can, but he also wants his team to be worth the money to see.

"I like to be offensive," Roy said. "But that doesn't mean I don't want us to play well defensively. We're going to be an offensive team, because I believe that the people who are paying to come watch us deserve to have a great show. At the same time, we have to believe deep inside that we can win that 1-0 game."

Roy got a good look at prized rookie Nathan MacKinnon, who centered a line with P.A. Parenteau and Jamie McGinn. He also saw a lot of rookie defenseman Chris Bigras, a second-round pick from this year who

signed a three-year, entry-level contract Tuesday.

Bigras, who may have a real shot at making the club despite being 18, played alongside Erik Johnson.

"My goal is to stay here," Bigras said. "I know this is an opportunity, and I want to make the most of it I can. But that will be out of my control in the end. I just have to play as hard as I can and try to learn a little more every day."

Another star of Wednesday's show was the big, bright new overhead scoreboard at the Pepsi Center. The scoreboard dramatically enhanced the atmosphere inside the 14-year-old building. The main board stretches from blue line to blue line, with an HD picture that is hard not to want to watch instead of the actual game below.

Paul Stastny scored the first Avs goal of the preseason in the first period, deflecting in a pass from Gabe Landeskog. Semyon Varlamov looked sharp in his first full period, stopping all nine shots he faced, including some on three Anaheim power plays.

The Avs will play Los Angeles at home Friday, with a lineup that will include Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly and Steve Downie, none of whom played Wednesday.

The Avs lost the game when Anaheim scored a power-play goal with 5:56 left in the third, following a Cody McLeod boarding penalty.

Denver Post: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717244 Colorado Avalanche

Patrick Roy desiring "great show" as Avs prepare for preseason opener

By Adrian Dater | Posted: 09/18/2013 12:46:22 PM MDT

Avs coach Patrick Roy 2013

First-year Avalanche coach Patrick Roy: "I believe that the people who are paying to come watch us deserve to have a great show." (John Leyba, Denver Post file)

Patrick Roy interrupted practice several times Wednesday morning, as Avalanche players were going through drills for the power play.

"Short passes, quick passes, easy passes," Roy boomed on the ice at the Pepsi Center, where the Avs will play their first game of any kind with him behind the bench Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

The exhortation is a likely symbol of how Roy will want his team to play this season. He wants a fast, offensive-minded team that makes the simple play. Nothing fancy, nothing too complicated.

"I like to be offensive," Roy said. "But that doesn't mean I don't want us to play well defensively. We're going to be an offensive team, because I believe that the people who are paying to come watch us deserve to have a great show. At the same time, we have to believe deep inside that we can win that 1-0 game."

The Avs will play Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon as their top two centers against the Ducks, who will play a team composed primarily of rookie and secondary players. Semyon Varlamov will start in goal and be relieved about midway through by rookie Spencer Martin.

The Pepsi Center will see the unveiling of a beautiful new scoreboard and sound system for the game as well.

Denver Post: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717245 Colorado Avalanche

Patrick Roy already taking hold of tough turnaround for Avalanche

A helping of sports commentary each weekday near noontime

By Adrian Dater Posted: 09/18/2013 11:50:00 AM MDT

Patrick Roy.

It's been like the start of any brand new relationship: a lot of talk in the beginning, much of it excited. A lot of "Really, me too!" After the first few days of Avalanche training camp, though, you can already tell that Patrick Roy knows his honeymoon as coach could be short.

Mind you: It will be short on his account, not anyone else's.

Roy can have all the money in the world — and he's got a lot, he still owns his lucrative junior team in Quebec, don't forget; plus he made more than $100 million as a player — but only one thing makes him happy:

Winning.

Back to the current day. Roy the last couple days hasn't quite been the ebullient person he was after the first three days of Avs training camp. He had criticism of how his team looked in Sunday's intrasquad game at the Air Force Academy. He already has seen one of his top defensemen (Ryan Wilson) head to the injured list, before the team's first preseason game Wednesday against Anaheim. He already has changed personnel on two of his top lines.

Somewhere, Joe Sacco is nodding, saying, "Now you know what it feels like, Patty."

Roy seems to have a better grasp in the past couple days that this isn't going to be an easy fix. I still have a lot of optimism that he'll get things turned around with this franchise, but I also feel optimistic that it won't be some fairy-tale story.

The one thing that hasn't seemed to waver with Roy so far after nearly a full week on the job: He is happy with how hard his team is working, how much it wants change.

This will be a big part of Roy's adjustment to the NHL behind the bench though. Unlike in junior hockey, the wins and losses mean a lot more.

Roy will always have a baseline level of happiness if his team works as hard it can, but he will never wear a smile if wins aren't a byproduct.

Right now, those easy smiles of the first few days are less prevalent. Roy knows this relationship, if it is to last, will take some work.

Denver Post: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717246 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets 5, Hurricanes 4: Boone Jenner makes his case to stay

By Aaron Portzline

RALEIGH, N.C. — Boone Jenner spent all summer in Columbus, working out in Nationwide Arena under Blue Jackets strength and conditioning coach Kevin Collins.

The goal now is to still be in Columbus when the Jackets open the regular season on Oct. 4 vs. Calgary. If the past two nights are an indication, that won’t be an issue.

“That guy works his (butt) off,” Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky said last night after a 5-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. “He’s smart. As time goes on, he’s just going to get better. He chips pucks and chases ’em down. He hits guys. He plays hard every shift. It’s a blast to watch him out there.”

Dubinsky centered a line with Jenner on his left and Marian Gaborik on his right, and the trio dominated. Gaborik had two goals and an assist, Dubinsky had three assists and 10 shots on goal, and Jenner had a goal and an assist. They combined for a plus-8 rating.

“Playing with guys like Dubi and Gaborik, that really helped me out,” Jenner said. “They’re elite players. They know where to be.”

Jenner has played center since he was old enough to put his gear on without help. He was the best player on the ice on Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in Nationwide Arena. But during training camp, he has played mostly on the left wing. Last night was his first game at the position, and he didn’t look out of place.

“Practicing six days on the left side definitely helped me,” Jenner said. “To be able to play both positions, that’s really going to help me, and it’s something I want to be good at.”

Jenner is in the thick of a competition for the final roster spot at forward.

“If you look at our centermen, that’s one position we’re really deep at,” coach Todd Richards said. “With (Nathan) Horton out (after shoulder surgery), we have openings on the wing. We have to try and see what we have there. Based on tonight’s game, we liked what we saw.”

The 6-foot-2 Jenner is up to 208 pounds after adding five pounds of muscle during the summer.

“It’s a little bit easier because it’s my third pro camp, and playing last (spring) in the American Hockey League really helped me, just to get a taste of the pro game,” Jenner said. “It was a good summer. I feel strong. I feel like I can compete with the big guys in this league and I want to prove that.”

Calvert returns

Left wing Matt Calvert was back at practice after missing two days because of a strained groin.

“I’m getting there, just taking my time, and make sure it’s 100 percent," he said. “We’ll get some exhibition games in and get it rolling.”

Richards said Calvert wants to play his first exhibition game on Saturday at Pittsburgh, but the club is leaning against it.

“I want him ready Oct. 4,” Richards said.

Slap shots

The Blue Jackets assigned five players — forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand, Josh Anderson and Nick Moutrey, defenseman Dillon Heatherington, and goaltender Oscar Dansk — to their junior clubs. … Richards was contemplating cuts last night. They could be made as soon as today, which is an off day for the players.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 09.19.2013

717247 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets 3, Wild 1: Johansen helps Jackets get good start

By Shawn Mitchell

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Blue Jackets didn’t exactly fill up the shot chart last night in an exhibition game against the Minnesota Wild.

But they didn’t need to. The Jackets, using a youthful split squad against the Wild in Minnesota’s first exhibition game, took only 17 shots but played a surprisingly cerebral game in a 3-1 victory.

“I thought the pace was good because we put the puck in the right areas,” said Blue Jackets associate coach Craig Hartsburg, who manned the bench while Todd Richards stayed in Columbus.

“We played a real ‘north’ game that allowed us to keep pressure on them,” Hartsburg said. “It certainly didn’t create a lot of scoring chances at times, but our guys played a really smart, hard game. That’s a good sign. That’s something to build on.”

Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen each had a goal and an assist, and Mark Letestu also scored for the Jackets, who led 3-0 early in the second period.

Atkinson, in particular, played with pace and prudence.

“We scored some greasy goals,” Atkinson said. “It comes with the territory in the preseason, but we played a pretty solid game. I’m starting to feel like I can control the pace and speed things up or slow them down for my linemates.”

With the Wild playing without most of its top-line players and the Jackets using a lineup heavy on prospects and likely minor-leaguers, the game was sluggish and, at times, downright sloppy at the start.

But Johansen scored by trailing and converting a breakaway attempt by Michael Chaput that was pokechecked away by goalie Niklas Backstrom.

It followed an abysmal Wild power play that riled the fans and gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 18:09 of the first period.

Atkinson, moving at a speed he could only dream of last season after suffering a high ankle sprain during training camp in January, sprung Chaput with a fine pass from the blue line and made it 2-0 at the front of Backstrom’s net early in the second period.

Letestu made it 3-0 when he beat Backstrom on a breakaway at 7:53 of the second. The Wild cut its deficit to 3-1 when Nino Niederreiter scored a power-play goal moments later.

Goalie Jeremy Smith played the entire game for the Jackets. He stopped 20 shots. On this night, he outplayed Backstrom, who saved seven of 10 shots before he was replaced by Darcy Kuemper shortly after Letestu’s goal.

“I’m not going to name any names, but there were guys out there in front of me who don’t have a lot of pro experience and they fit right in,” Smith said. “I know I could trust every guy on the ice.”