Chicago Blackhawks: Saad Signed, Sharp to Play, and Emery in Net

The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that they have signed Ray Emery to a one-year, $600,000 backup contract, and have designated rookie Alexander Salak to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

It was also announced today that Patrick Sharp will play in Friday's season opener against the Dallas Stars, according Head Coach Joel Quenneville. 

Stan Bowman, whom the 'Hawks just gave a three-year extension, has announced that the Blackhawks have decided to sign 2011 draft pick Brandon Saad. Saad was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

It was also announced that he will be starting Friday on the opening line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.

Emery has played in 173 regular season NHL games, posting a 2.67 Goals Against Average and a 0.908 Save Percentage.

Patrick Sharp tallied a career-high 71 points last season, scoring 34 goals and recording 37 assists in 74 games. When it was announced that he was having an emergency appendectomy, 'Hawks fans around Chicago were worried that he would not be able to play in the beginning of the regular season.

It appears those worries were all for nothing.

Brandon Saad, the Blackhawks' 2011 second-round draft pick, has been having a great preseason, surprising everyone in a good way. It was expected that the 18-year-old would spend another year in the Juniors, but it appears now that this will not be the case.

Saad has scored often in the preseason, and has made his mark on everyone who has seen him play.