Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane's Dramatic Return Helps Open Training Camp

In a scene straight out of pro wrestling, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane emphatically announced that his surgically-repaired wrist is quickly becoming a concern left to a long summer without Blackhawks' hockey.

Kane dramatically came out of the locker room as a "late addition" in the final scrimmage of the team's training camp festival Saturday afternoon. True, his addition to the scrimmage came only in the waning moments of a planned five-on-five shootout, but that didn't stop the full house at the United Center from roaring their approval.

Check out the action on Chicago's official website here.

Kane's top-shelf shootout tally tied the shootout for his team, but more importantly it presaged a full-scale return by Kane in the next day's scrimmage.

It's easy to be positive on the first day of camp, but there was a lot to enjoy on the ice as the 'Hawks got things underway. What follows is a few observations from camp.

Kaner Appears to Be Ready

Kane was chomping at the bit to get into Saturday's first scrimmage, but was held out by the trainers. However, he was in live action on Sunday.

And how.

Kane looked to be the beneficiary of some hard work this summer, skating like he is young man with something to prove after what some would call a lackluster 2010-11 season. Two goals in a scrimmage won't win him any postseason hardware. At the same time, it's good to see Kane showing no ill effects from the wrist this early into camp.

Partick Sharp Also Made an Appearance...

...in bobble head form.

Seriously, Sharp was at the festival Saturday, where he told the gathering faithful that he was hoping to be in the lineup opening night in Dallas October 7th.

What else did we expect him to say in front of a full house of fans?

Still, if Sharpie says he can do it, it would be tough to bet against it.

Rostislav Olesz Was on the Ice

Olesz's knee is sufficiently healed enough for him to participate in the opening of camp. This came as a slight surprise, as he had been on injured reserve most of the summer.

He had a pretty quiet weekend, but at least the organization will see what they have in Olesz.

Ray Emery Seems to Be the Favorite at Backup Goalie

Emery was in net a lot this weekend, playing both halves of Saturday morning's first scrimmage. He gave up three goals, but stopped a lot of shots and showed good lateral movement in the crease.

Alexander Salak told reporters this weekend that he wouldn't be heartbroken if he winds up in Rockford. It's beginning to look like that's exactly where he'll be.

If Emery doesn't get injured, he has the inside track on a job.

Jeremy Morin Is Still Being Held out of Contact

Jeremy Morin was noticeably absent from Saturday's scrimmages.

Word has now come from the team that Morin is still day-to-day with symptoms dating back to a head injury he sustained in January. There does not seem to be a definite date for his return to contact, but it does explain his not participating in the rookie tournament in Toronto last weekend.

I think this all but assures that Morin will begin the season in Rockford and will brought along slowly at that. It's the right move for the talented youngster.

Andrew Shaw Is Ready to Scrap

Shaw, this summer's fifth round pick, has quickly established that he will take on all comers.

Last weekend, the 5' 10" Shaw squared off with 6' 5" Toronto prospect Jamie Devane. Sunday, he challenged Daniel Carcillo to drop the gloves. Carcillo obliged.

Shaw should be able to fill his dance card if he so desires, as he signed an AHL contract with Rockford for the coming season.

The 'Hawks Got a Taste of Klinkhammer

Forward Rob Klinkhammer, a converted defenseman, factored in Team Black's 3-1 scrimmage win over Team Red Saturday.

He set up Nick Leddy's goal late in the first 20 minutes to tie the score at one. He then picked Sami Lepisto's pocket in the second scrimmage, broke into the clear and roofed one over Johan Mattsson to give his team the lead.

The knock on Klinkhammer is that he failed to convert on a lot of such opportunities down in Rockford last season, so it was fun to see him draw twine when he had the chance.

Other Scrimmage Scoring by Unlikely Sources

Actually, both of Team Red's two goals Saturday were scored by some unlikely candidates.

Simon Danis-Pepin, a huge defenseman who has encountered trouble staying with Rockford in the last two seasons, strove home a slap shot for the first goal of the morning scrimmage. SDP was otherwise not a factor from the blueline, but he does sport an impressive shot.

Peter LeBlanc, who is under an AHL contract to Rockford, took a feed from Dave Bolland to knock in the opening mark of the second scrimmage. LeBlanc, who played four years at New Hampshire, is a seventh round pick of the Hawks from the 2006 draft. He's a fireplug who also scored last weekend in Toronto.

Brian Fahey, who was signed to provide veteran presence to Rockford, wound up scoring the tie-breaking goal in the post scrimmage shootout.

I wouldn't expect to see any of these guys in Blackhawks sweaters, but it was fun to see some non-stars get on the scoreboard.

All in all, everyone on both sides of the glass look ready for a competitive and productive camp.