Who will it be now?

The Blackhawks had a hectic, crazy, tumultuous off-season. So taking the ice should be a nice change of pace for the young and ready team.

Marian Hossa, the Blackhawks’ big off-season signing, will not be ready for the Blackhawks’ season opening trip to Helsinki, or the first two months of the season. Without him, the Blackhawks will be missing a key piece of this uber-talented roster. But, having Hossa out could improve the Blackhawks and show off the team’s depth. But how should the Blackhawks line up for the season opener?

He hasn't played a minute in preseason yet. Is the job already his?

After the Blackhawks’ first preseason game, the line of Byfuglien- Kopecky – Sharp looks great. Though there is plenty of time for things to change, I wouldn’t be surprised if that line sees plenty of ice time together. I stated before that Byfuglien had to continue to play like he did in the playoffs when the season starts – and in the preseason Byfuglien delivered. I have supreme confidence that he’ll continue to play well in the 2009-2010 season. And confidence is usually the second to last word that comes to mind when I think of Dustin Byfuglien. Consistency would be the rarest of terms when it comes to number 33. Perhaps I hope, more than expect, that to change, but when it comes to question marks, Dustin Byfuglien is not on my current list.

There are three major question marks in training camp: backup goalie, sixth defenseman, and final winger. Two of the three questions have been answered through two preseason games.

The sixth defenseman is Brent Sopel. Sopel was appallingly bad last year, but looks spry on the ice so far this preseason. His veteran leadership has always been a plus, and likely would have won Sopel the job, but Sopel has looked better than his counterparts through two games. With a short preseason, two games is as large of a case study as the Blackhawks will get. Sopel will get the nod over Aaron Johnson and Shawn Lalonde.

The backup goalie position is almost certainly Corey Crawford’s after Antti Niemi’s performance in Minnesota. Niemi had a telling .823 save percentage in that game, against a majority NHL Minnesota Wild. Crawford will likely get the next preseason start in net, but Niemi has given him a very large head start in the race to be backup goalie.  Many favored Crawford heading into camp, and Niemi has done nothing to change minds thusfar. If Crawford can show a solid presence, he’ll be the number two in Helsinki.

The final race is the best race. With Hossa out, there is a roster spot open, and the spot will likely see plenty of ice time in the first two months of the season. Jack Skille impressed in Saturday night’s exhibition opener, using his great speed to score a goal. He followed up that performance with 20 minutes of ice time, seeing action in all situations. Kyle Beach, the Blackhawks prospect that is short on temper and long on talent, looked good in his only exhibition game, but didn’t see any powerplay or penalty kill time. Troy Brouwer will make the team, but has looked the part of a starter thus far in the preseason, and has played a bit of center as well. A darkhorse to make the team is Rob Klinkhammer. Klinkhammer, besides possessing a totally boss hockey name, has a set of skills similar to Andrew Ladd. If Joel Quenneville feels that Beach is too much like all three of the Hanson brothers combined, but wants to keep a physical presence in the lineup, Klinkhammer could get the call. It’s a longshot, but not out of the realm of possibility. The final preseason games will decide who wins this battle, and it should be hotly contested going into the homestretch.