Chicago Blackhawks 2008-2009 Training Camp Preview

Although the NHL season is still two months away, training camp is right around the corner. So I felt this would be a good time to go over Chicago Blackhawks prospects, possible lines, and who might be surprises to make the opening day rosters.

Many Blackhawks fans are looking forward to the arrival of Brian Campbell to the Chicago blue line, but many have questioned who he will be paired with. It most likely will not be Duncan Keith because of their similar defensive styles. 

I would put my money on Seabrook/Keith being the first defensive pairing and Campbell/Sopel will be the one "a" pairing. The final pairing will probably involve Matt Walker, Cam Barker, and James Wisnewski when he is healthy. 

Another new face for the Chicago Blackhawks coming into training camp will be Cristobol Huet. There will be much conflict coming into camp with the goaltending situation, Huet and Khabibulin will be fighting for the starting position throughout camp unless a trade can be worked out in which Khabibulin is sent packing

Look for Savard to go with the hot glove from night to night during the season much as he did with Khabibulin and Lalime last season. I can see Huet starting more than Khabibulin this season mainly because Khabibulin has a difficult time staying healthy for a full season.

The first two forward lines coming into the season seem to be set in stone unless there is a last-minute trade that brings in another scoring option. Before training camp starts, the Blackhawks forward lines look like this:

• Sharp-Toews-Kane
• Byfulguien-Lang-Havlat
• Ladd-Bolland-Skille
• Eager-Burish-Adams

Ladd, Bolland, Burish, and Adams will all be making the team, the question marks on the final two lines are Jack Skille (first-round pick in 2005) and Ben Eager.

Jack Skille looks poised to make the team before camp, but guys like Troy Brouwer, Kris Versteeg, Petri Kontiola, and newly signed 2007 second-rounder Akim Aliu to challenge Skille for a spot on the third line.

Let us not forget about the Blackhawks first-round pick in the 2008 draft, Kyle Beach. Dale Tallon said that Beach will be given every opportunity to make the Blackhawks opening day roster

I highly doubt that Beach will be on the Blackhawks or even the Ice Hogs this season unless he blows away people in camp, the preseason, and if it gets that far a 10-game tryout. 

Eager will likely make the team as the enforcer and protector of Toews and Kane. But the Blackhawks have other players that could fill in for Eager such as Matt Walker on defense. The need for a hitter/agitator is important for this team that is a little smaller than most with Kane and Havlat.

One prospect that I would suggest keeping your eye on throughout camp will be the newly signed Akim Aliu. He looks to be an important player in the Blackhawks future because he is a great physical presence with a great scoring touch as well.

Aliu has had many character issues in the past, but has seemed to leave them in the dust when he was drafted. I would love to see Akim make the team, but he is still very rough around the edges. He will have to have a stellar camp to get onto the Blackhawks third line. 

This training camp will be a special one for the Chicago Blackhawks fans because of the first annual training camp festival which will take place on the September 20th. Fans will get a special treat being able to view the first day of drills and scrimmages.

Training camp will mark the beginning of a great year for the Chicago Blackhawks organization because these will mark the first year in quite a few that they will be focused on reaching the Stanley Cup finals.

This team is very young, but the way in which this team has been built over the past few years they are looking to make a serious push for playoffs.