Six rookies crack Chicago Blackhawks roster

Well, it's official: Blackhawks' youth movement is underway.

The coach Joel Quenneville and his staff made the final cuts on Monday and the start of the regular season with as many as six rookies in the roster: forward Tyler Motte, Vinnie Hinostroza, Nick Schmaltz, Ryan Hartman and defender Michal Kempny and Gustav Forsling.


Mark McNeill and Brandon Mashinter placed on waivers and likely to be assigned to Rockford where they are emptied. The Hawks sent the 19-year-old Alexandre Fortin Jersey back to his junior team in Quebec.

Andrew Desjardins placed on injured reserve a lower-body injury he suffered on Saturday in St. Louis, and he will miss 4-6 weeks.

Since these six rookies, just Hartman and Hinostroza played in the NHL game. They talked like veterans after practice on Monday, however, most of the talk about how excited they are against the opening of the season in Wednesday's Blues, and how they want to make sure that they are here for the long haul.

Family matters: Why Brian Campbell gave Blackhawks steep discount to return

Campbell Lauren Miller met one night in downtown Rock-It-bar. Lauren was there with some friends when Campbell was presented.

"He asked me what I did and told me I'm a teacher," Lauren said. "I asked what he did and it's like, 'Oh, play hockey. And I say oh, okay, but what is your job?"

Lauren, a former special education teacher who completed his degree at DePaul and undergraduate studies at the UIC, was not exactly a fan of hockey, but she became one quickly. She started going to games and Brian taught him the rules. They had fallen in love, but not yet married in 2011, when Campbell was traded to the Panthers. The trade was a shock.

"It was difficult for us because I really do not understand hockey," said Lauren Campbell. "I think he played for Chicago and he was always going to play for Chicago. I went to college and graduate school in Chicago it was my first time ever leaving here."

She decided to pack up and move - well, pack some things and move. Campbell loved Chicago while not want to leave, and not exactly in love with Florida when they arrived.

Blackhawks' Niklas Hjalmarsson suspended for season opener

When the Blackhawks open the season next week against the Blues, they will be without one of their best defenders.

Niklas Hjalmarsson was suspended for the rest of the preseason and regular season game by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a blow to the Blues Ty Rattie in the Hawks 4-0 exhibition victory Saturday.

Hjalmarsson missed four games in total after receiving a match penalty for Saturday load. He was sitting on 6-3 defeat Sunday to the Red Wings in the context of the suspension. The Department of Player Safety had a telephone hearing with Hjalmarsson to discuss the coup Monday.

In a video describing the suspension, the director of security NHL Patrick Burke said Hjalmarsson made "significant contact" with the head of Rattie when he delivered the shot in the third period. Burke noted that Rattie was entitled to check on the game, but the Ministry of Security of the specified player Hjalmarsson committed charge by jumping and Rattie.

"As Hjalmarsson steps to deliver the blow, both players are weak and in a sporting position," said Burke. "However, rather than staying low and delivering a success thanks to the shoulder or chest Rattie, Hjalmarsson launches and Rattie establish substantial contact with his head. "