Chicago Blackhawks: Which Young Players Can Expect to Make the Final Cut?

The Chicago Blackhawks have some major decisions to make over this final weekend of training camp.

There are still some cuts to be made before we get a look at the roster that will begin the 2011-12 season on October 7th. Injuries will play a major part in who stays up with the 'Hawks on opening night.

One of those decisions will have to be made following Friday's exhibition game with Pittsburgh, when the verdict will come in on Ray Emery, who starts in goal. The Hawks must offer Emery a contract by Saturday or let him walk at the end of his tryout period.

I believe that unless Emery has a disastrous outing against the Penguins, he will be signed and named the backup to Corey Crawford. Alexander Salak then gets 40-50 starts in Rockford to prepare him for that role next season.

On the defensive side of the puck, it would appear that Dylan Olsen is the player who will be sent to Rockford by Sunday night. It wouldn't appear likely that the Blackhawks will keep John Scott on the roster as an emergency wing, defenseman or slugger, though he doesn't figure to see much time on the ice.

Sami Lepisto is the other alternative in this scenario, but I think he has played well enough to secure the seventh defensive spot at the very least. Olsen needs to skate bigger minutes and should do that in Rockford.

The forward position is the most inconclusive area heading into the weekend, thanks to injuries to Ben Smith and Viktor Stalberg. Or maybe it's not.

The 'Hawks sent Rob Klinkhammer to Rockford Thursday, leaving 18 forwards on the roster. Assuming that Scott stays up with the team, the Blackhawks will carry 13 forwards, seven defenseman, Scott and two goalies.

This is where it gets interesting.

Both Smith and Stalberg look to be out for at least the first two weeks of the regular season. Stalberg injured his right knee Wednesday in the Red Wings game, and Smith is day to day after taking a hit courtesy of the soon to be suspended Brenden Smith.

Jeremy Morin and Phillipe Paradis have not played in the preseason and will be sent down. That leaves Marcus Kruger, Brandon Pirri and Brandon Saad.

With Daniel Carcillo suspended for the first two games of the regular season, it would appear these three players may just get an extended tryout with the 'Hawks.

If Smith, Stalberg and Carcillo were all available opening night, I'd say that Pirri and Kruger would be centering the top two lines in Rockford next week. Saad would already be back with Saginaw of the OHL. But those players aren't available. So what happens?

Brandon Segal and Brent McLean are both veteran options. Is it too late to give John Madden or another veteran a call?

The 'Hawks can do two things until Smith, Stalberg and Carcillo are all set to return. They can plug the holes with veterans or with prospects. Saad could appear in as many as nine NHL games before starting the first year of an entry contract (which he has not signed at this point).

It all may depend on Smith's recovery, veteran availability and the play of the three prospects still hanging on to the active roster. Also, this could all hinge on whether or not Chicago decides to make moves to other areas of the team.

There are still several roster spots hanging in the balance heading into Friday's action. Answers, at least temporarily, will be supplied by Monday morning.