Blackhawks' Andrew Desjardins looks to add some scoring to his gritty role

Not even a week in Blackhawks training camp, Andrew Desjardins is already sports the look of a fourth line grinder.

The veteran striker has four stitches across the bridge of his nose and a long scratch on his right cheek, courtesy of a goal-mouth scramble during a melee. Desjardins is again a ticket for a seat on one of the bottom lines of the Hawks, where he will focus on defense and tight figures to contribute to the penalty kill.

The roles are not glamorous, but embraces Desjardins.

"There is a certain pride in playing these roles," he said. "There are jobs out there. If you can be the best ship fourth in the league, what is wrong with that? That's a good way to think. (And) he tries to be the best (penalty killer) possible."

BLACKHAWKS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORTIN

Les Blackhawks de Chicago ont annoncé aujourd'hui qu'ils ont accepté de termes avec l'avant Alexandre Fortin (pour-TEEN) sur un contrat de trois ans.

Fortin, 19 ans, a enregistré 43 points (19G, 24A) en 54 matchs de saison régulière avec les Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda de la Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec la saison dernière; il a enregistré 105 tirs au but, quatre buts gagnants et un +13 plus / moins. Le Laval, Québec, natif ajouté sept points (4G, 3A) en 20 matchs éliminatoires en route pour premier championnat Coupe du Président de l'organisation. Fortin a également décroché trois passes en cinq concours 2016 de la Coupe Memorial.

L'attaquant undrafted recueilli 40 points (11G, 29A) en 67 matchs avec Rouyn-Noranda au cours de sa première saison dans la LHJMQ en 2014-15. Avant sa carrière junior, il a récolté 61 points (30G, 31A) en 69 matchs de saison régulière avec le Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix du Québec Midget AAA 2012-14. Il a également affiché 35 points (14G, 21A) en 22 matchs des séries éliminatoires à travers deux saisons avec le Collège Esther-Blondin.

Chicago Blackhawks camp opens with smaller crowds

The first day of the last three Blackhawks training camps in South Bend all had one thing in common: the crowds, the big lines and huge enthusiasm from the fans.

This year? Well, it would not be too farfetched to say you could hear a pin drop at Johnny's Icehouse West on Friday.


Unlike the thousands of people who filled the Compton Family Ice Arena from 2013-15, only about two dozen took action this year. The fact that most of the big names are not here to Hawks like to participate in the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto is the likely reason.

The Hawks held two practices and also managed the brawl, which was divided into two 25-minute halves. Quality of hockey was about what you'd expect when the top line were Andrew Desjardins-Dennis Rasmussen-Ryan Hartman on one side and Tyler Motte-Nick Schmaltz-Richard panic on the other side.

Chicago-area junior hockey teams adopt Blackhawks' playing style

In June 2010, 9-year-old Javi Ubane wake up some morning mist in her sleep-deprived at Glenview.

The reason? He could not turn his attention to the Chicago Blackhawks' run away through the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"I would sneak my phone in my room and hide under the pillow," said Ubane. "I would watch super nervous, they hope to win."

Six years later, the 15-year-old is a sophomore Ubane Glenbrook South. Also, 5 feet 9, 175-pound Illinois Team, a group of elite hockey club is based in Lake Zurich West Dundee and Bensenville is considered a defenseman. A child who watched anxiously such heroes as Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith is now the Blackhawks' playing style and tempo emphasizes puck possession want to duplicate.

"Our system, using our skills instead of his more gritty or excitement about having him," said Ubane. "Absolutely, you will see the effect."

NHL Daily: Artemi Panarin, Jarome Iginla, Trade Rumors

NHL Daily: Artemi Panarin extension, Jarome Iginla With more left in the tank 40, trade rumors, and more (morning cup Headlines)

Grab your cup of coffee and join us here in Puck prose of a collection of daily NHL links that will help you keep up with everything that happens in the world of hockey.

In today's edition: Appeared reports Tuesday that Chicago is working on an extension with the 2015-16 Calder Trophy winner Artemi Panarin, Jarome Iginla "I want to be better than last year," Nashville Predators rumors, and much plus!

NHL Daily: morning coffee Headlines

Panarin, Blackhawks Extension Work

Artemi Panarin Jersey has one year contract with $ 812,500 in Chicago. Reports suggest that on Tuesday the Blackhawks are hoping ink end of Russia to an extension before the season starts.

Ribeiro Preds Blackhawks?

Probability Humphrey over at Predlines explores the latest rumor suggests that trade NHL Chicago Blackhawks have expressed interest in Nashville forward Mike Ribeiro. Who knows if there is any validity to reports, however, chance does a great job of analyzing the potential scenario.

Brandon Saad has 'no regrets' about departure from Blackhawks

Brandon Saad and Stan Bowman are together again.

Saad took the ice as a member of the North American team against Finland while reading the preliminary round of the World Cup of Hockey on Sunday at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Watch in his role as assistant general manager for North America was Bowman, the Hawks GM who traded Saad Blue Jackets before last season.

"It is great to have been part of the group," said Bowman. "We had a lot of success together. He was a great member of the Blackhawks Jersey. You share these moments and won the Stanley Cup and the time you will never forget. He's a great kid. "

He is also the child Bowman sent packing in a trade after seven player Saad and the Hawks could not come to an agreement on a new contract. Saad has 31 goals and 22 assists for the Blue Jackets, who have not reached the playoffs.

"It was a hard wise hockey last year year with Columbus, but many players go through that," said Saad. "You always want to be on the winning side ... of the game, but at the same time, I no regrets. "

During the 4-1 win North America team on Finland, Saad had three shots in 11 minutes, 30 seconds of ice time.

Niklas Hjalmarsson brings a constant influence, strong defense the team to Sweden

Niklas Hjalmarsson brings a constant influence, strong defense the team to Sweden

Buff Time: Former Hawks and current Jets defender / winger Dustin Byfuglien was left surprising in the United States 3-0 upset loss to Europe on Saturday.

"All I do is come here, put on a suit and go to work when I said," Byfuglien said Sunday. "I am waiting for a chance, that's all."

Burning Questions Ahead of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey

Ice Hockey World Championship is almost upon us, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the tournament. In addition to cheering for your country, there's a chance to support two new team-kids North America and Europe-Team, and adds that to the excitement.

There are unique items for the event. Unlike the World Cup in the spring of each year, the Ice Hockey World Championship will bring together all the best players from each league is not the NHL playoffs. It is also true that more players are healthy and at their best-injury did not affect their performance so far.

Here are the burning questions, as we prepare for the championship on hockey 2016 world.

Updated early odds to win 2017 Stanley Cup: Blackhawks, Penguins co-favorites

Many focus on the hockey center around the future of the World Cup, training camp of the NHL will be opened immediately. Signature limits the free agent, some of the remaining unrestricted free agent who did not have to settle for deals of the tryout will be started in a part of the quest for the 2017 Stanley Cup as to, some of the team is still, immediately earnest I have some unfinished business in terms of team building.
Just complete about drafting, with a full summer of transactions and signing of players, oddsmakers who had to adjust to the odds of early 2017 Stanley Cup as seen immediately after the Pittsburgh Penguins' Stanley Cup championship. Defending champions , still a is in the favorite, they have now of the company.
Odds are in the wake of the maneuvering of their off-season, we changed most of the NHL one way or another for the team. The following is a look here at some of the adjustment through Bovada (early included in the odds and updated odds in parentheses from the June 13, 2008).