e starter in goal. He's not complaining."Yeah, there's a different feeling," Crawford said Friday. "It's nice to know you have a three-year deal coming into camp. But I'm still focused to earn that ice time and show the new guys. Even then you have to show you're the guy and to gain confidence from them."Crawford went 33-18-6 in his rookie year but missed out on being a finalist for rookie of the year. His game shined in last season's first-round, seven-game playoff loss to the Vancouver Canucks. By all accounts, his team didn't lose because of him."Even one game [in the playoffs] is a huge deal," Crawford said. "To play that whole series means a lot going forward. I'm going to take that and use it. Obviously, it's not the result I wanted but I'll use it for this upcoming season."Crawford is known as a very technically sound goaltender who probably needs to play more instinctive at times. His work over the summer should help in that department."I have to be a little quicker," he said. "I think strength was there last year, I want to improve everything but quickness was one of the things we talked about. I'm just going to improve my game. My puck handling was good in the minors but I just felt I didn't need to do it much here. Our defensive core is good with the pucks. Quickness was No. 1 on the list."For once Crawford isn't battling another player for a roster spot to back-up another veteran goaltender as he did with Nikolai Khabibulin, Cristobal Huet and Marty Turco. This time he'll watch Ray Emery and rookie Alexander Salak fight it out to play behind him."I played against Emery a little," Crawford said. "I watched him when I was younger in Ottawa and Philadelphia. He's proven himself before. Salak? I haven't seen him play at all but heard a lot of things. Two great guys off the ice. I got to meet them, talk with them a bit. They're just two guys who can help me push myself and that's a good thing to have,Corey Crawford Authentic Black Jersey, guys pushing you for a spot."
The Chicago Blackhawks have decided to walk away from an arbitration award, making defenseman Chris Campoli a free agent,Jeremy Roenick Red Jersey, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers. Read the full story.
Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks say he's right on pace for a return from offseason wrist surgery, but they'll play it safe throughout training camp, which begins Saturday.Read the entire story.
ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers takes your Blackhawks questions during a live chat at noon Wednesday. Click here to submit questions.
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CHICAGO -- He walked into the press room at the United Center to meet the media for the first time this season probably not knowing hes the face of the long summer the Chicago Blackhawks just endured. Duncan Keith needed the rest. So did his teammates. He got it, and now hes ready for a return to form.It was a long summer, he proclaimed. A longer one than we would have wanted. At the same time you look at the positives. We all got a lot of rest. We all feel real good. Our bodies feel real strong and healthy and ready to go.Keith wasn't the only one in need of rest, hes just needed it the most. Keith admitted late last season he wasnt prepared for the follow-up year to winning the Stanley Cup.I dont think I had the start I wanted, Keith said. I look back at last years start I think there was some inconsistency there. I feel real good right now. I feel strong and healthy. Im looking forward to having a good start and carrying it on from there.The theme was the same throughout media day: The Hawks want a better start. And with rest and a newfound desire,Brent Seabrook Red Jersey, they think theyll get it.[+] EnlargeJeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty ImagesDuncan Keith admitted that he ran out of gas in 2010-11. I feel like I want the season to start tomorrow where last year you were like ‘Yeah, OK, I think I need a couple more weeks to get ready, captain Jonathan Toews said. It is very different.Center Dave Bolland used the same exact words. It is different, he said. You can see coming into this season its different. Guys are more ready. Guys dont have that hangover. This summer for me was the best. Ive had a great summer. I had time to take off for my head.Bolland is fully recovered from a concussion, which cost him most of the final quarter of the season. Rest, relaxation, hunger and dont forget talent. Its a formula for a big year, and the Hawks are chomping at the bit to get started. Theyll do that Saturday, and for guys like Keith, the body and mind feels so much different than exactly a year ago at this time.Its huge, he said. I think back and you try and prepare, last summer. Compared to how I feel now and how much more prepared than I am than last year? A lot of that is mental. Its also how your body feels. When your body feels good, mentally youre stronger too.The Hawks are counting on it as they start the long road to a return to the Stanley Cup finals.
Len Redkoles/NHLI/Getty ImagesDan Carcillo may make the Hawks tougher, but he'll need to stay out of the penalty box.O