NHL Training Camp: 5 Chicago Blackhawks Who Need to Come Up Big to Earn a Spot

The Chicago Blackhawks start training camp on Friday, with players reporting for physicals and speaking to the media, before kicking off practice over the weekend with much hoopla at the United Center.

Veterans are looking to get into game shape, and a host of other players are looking to carve out a spot on this year's team.

With a busy summer of trades, free agent signings and developing prospects, there should be a lot of competition for the final few spots in the Blackhawks' lineup.

The following five players definitely have something to prove if they are to win a spot on the opening night roster.

Ray Emery

Emery is still just a training camp invitee, but if healthy he looks to be the man to beat in the competition to back up starting goaltender Corey Crawford.

The team sent Emery to Blackhawks' Day at U.S. Cellular Field last weekend. Sending a guy who's not officially on your roster on team business seems a bit odd unless the team feels confident in his eventual signing.

That, plus his NHL experience and strong performance in lieu of Jonas Hiller in Anaheim last spring, gives him the inside track to the back-up job. Pending a clean bill of health at his physical, it could be his job to lose.

Rostislav Olesz

Is Olesz being counted on to skate top-six minutes? Is he destined for the checking line? Is he being chalked up as the price the 'Hawks paid to shed Brian Campbell's contract?

I'm not sure if anybody knows for sure what Olesz's role is going to be on this year's club—assuming he makes the club.

He's been on injured reserve most of the summer after undergoing knee surgery last spring. Not a lot has been said about how the 'Hawks plan on using the former first-rounder.

Olesz has an uphill climb to see the ice at the United Center this fall. First, he has to be healthy enough to report to camp. Then he has to win a job in a sea of hopefuls. For Olesz, a strong camp is vital.

Ben Smith

Smith saw limited action with the Blackhawks in 2010-11, but had an opportunistic playoffs and impressed many observers with his work ethic and hockey sense.

Will that be enough to win him a job after the addition of several veterans?

Smith's versatility may give him an edge, but if he doesn't stand out at camp, he may be Rockford-bound. He's a player to watch over the next few weeks.

Jeremy Morin

If Morin had followed up the nine games he spent in Chicago last season with a solid spring in Rockford, he may well have had a spot sewn up on this year's roster.

An injury prevented that from happening, so Morin's immediate future is up in the air.

Morin says the head injury suffered in January is behind him and he's ready to play. He traveled to Europe a few weeks back to train with several other 'Hawks. However, the team scratched him from all three games of Toronto's Rookie Tournament last weekend.

With camp arriving, we should get an idea if Morin is ready to perform under game conditions. The Blackhawks may have him penciled in for a spot in Rockford when the season opens, but a strong camp could change some minds.

Marcus Kruger

With Patrick Sharp out for what will be the bulk of training camp, coupled with the high standing Kruger enjoys with GM Stan Bowman, it looks like the young Swede is going to have to play his way off the roster.

Whether the 'Hawks use him on the second line or on one of the bottom lines, Kruger figures to get a long look at camp. He will likely be put in the position to prove he can handle the role of distributor to Marian Hossa.

Will another training camp be enough to make Kruger comfortable with the smaller NHL rink? We're going to find out. Like Emery, Kruger may hold the cards when it comes to earning a spot on this year's Blackhawks.