Roster competitions are starting to ramp up on Day 2 of Blackhawks training camp

The Chicago Blackhawks entered their second day of training camp, and storylines are starting to form as they prepare for their first preseason game.

Here are some highlights from the practices.

Sights from the ice

The Blackhawks ran some offense drills skating into the offensive zone, and players like Patrick Kane, Nick Lardis, Ryan Donato, and Anton Frondell scored some nice goals.

They did special teams work on the power play and penalty kill. My colleague Gail Kauchak noted the units on the ice for the top power-play unit. That included Kane, Bowen Byram, Tyler Bertuzzi, Roman Kantserov, and Anton Frondell.

They also focused on the defensive side, as Byram said today when I asked how the two training camp practices have gone,

"I think the first couple days, you know, it's a little different. You're not necessarily doing like game-type stuff. I don't know how to explain it. You're kind of doing more small-area, like battle stuff, compete stuff. I guess today we got into some more like system orientated d-zone coverage, breaking out of d-zone coverage, things like that. I think the one thing I've taken away from that is just our group can skate. We've got a lot of mobile guys in the back end, so I think that helps both ends of the ice in the d-zone; be able to close gaps quickly and kill plays, and then we'll be able to use our feet to join the rush."

Notes from the coach

A storyline to watch is about Teuvo Teräväinen. Going into training camp, there was no question that the veteran had a spot in the lineup. Now, it looks like there are discussions to be had, as he has been in and out of the third line with Andrew Mangiapane, Oliver Moore, and Ryan Donato during practices.

Head coach Jeff Blashill was asked about how he views Teräväinen's roster spot.

"I talked to Turbo; first of all, tons of respect for him, as a player and as a person, as a competitor. In his own words, his year last year was to the level he wanted it to be at. And so, he's probably put himself in a competitive situation with other guys. I said it to start, we have 14 NHL forwards without Bedsy (Connor Bedard). So that means two guys are out of the lineup, and then depending on how you go with the D, we got to figure out who's going to be where, and he's certainly in one of those competitive spots, but there's a lot of guys in those. So it's not just him or anything like that. He's in that mix of guys, and Turbo's smart.

"He's a good penalty killer. He's a good power-play guy. The fact he's good at both those special teams, I think can boost him, especially if other guys aren't as good, and then just five-on-five. I think when he skates and plays with confidence, he's a really good player. But he's just got to make sure he's skating and playing with confidence."

It seems now this preseason for Teräväinen is more important than ever. It would be surprising to not see him on the opening night roster.

Also, tomorrow (Sept. 19) is the Blackhawks first preseason game against the Minnesota Wild. But according to Blashill, don't expect most of the core roster to play, "I would say definitely more of the younger guys going tomorrow- more of that group that practiced second today. Not in totality, but more of that. It gives the other group a little bit more time to practice and kind of get some systematic things under (their) belt. Obviously, it's quick. You go two days, and then you play a game. So it's just a different kind of animal."

Player quote of the day

Jordan Greenway was part of the Byram trade from the Buffalo Sabres, and I asked him about his reaction to the trade,

"I was full of excitement. You know, these guys have a great group of talent. Obviously, it's a great organization. Chicago- great city. So, there's definitely a lot of positives coming into an organization like this. Obviously, it can be tough leaving another team, whatever the case is, but truthfully, (there) was a lot of excitement around the whole thing.”

Greenway will look to be a bottom-six regular, as the Blackhawks are looking to have a line that brings physicality and "eat minutes against the best players in the league," per Blashill.

Greenway has been skating on the fourth line with Cole Smith, Ryan Greene, and Landon Slaggert in training camp.

I also asked Greenway what the biggest asset of his game: "My size. The physical side of the game that I can bring. You know, power forward, get the puck back, create some space, create some havoc. That’s the type of game that I’m trying to bring.”

For reference, Greenway is 6'6", 231 pounds.

The 29 year old has been making an impression for the bottom six, and it will be interesting to see how that will translate for the Blackhawks in games.

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