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Champions on Ice: The Blackhawks begin their Stanley Cup defense tonight as they look to become the first repeat Stanley Cup Champions since the Red Wings in 1996-97 and 1997-98. From Elias: Over the previous seven seasons, the defending champion has fared poorly in season openers, going 1-4-2 with the lone victory being the Penguins over the Rangers in 2009-10.

Here are 10 things to know about the Chicago Blackhawks before they raise the banner Tuesday night and begin the 2013-14 NHL season:

1. The Blackhawks won't discuss a Stanley Cup repeat, but they have constantly emphasized getting off to a positive start to the season. The last time the Blackhawks tried to defend the Cup, their season was derailed by some early woes. They aren't likely to match last season's 24-game points streak to begin the season, but they would like to do better than the 9-9-2 record they had after 20 games in the 2010-11 season. The Blackhawks do have the advantage this time around of returning nearly everyone from last season's team.

2. The Blackhawks found magic in a top line of Bryan Bickell-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane in the playoffs last season, and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville will be rolling that out again to start this season. The major change that occurred since the trio last played in a real game together is that Bickell is now making about $3.4 million more than he was last season. With that money comes higher expectations, and Bickell understands that. The line only played together once in the preseason, but it looked dangerous.

3. The other Blackhawks' lines likely will be Patrick Sharp-Michal Handzus-Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad-Andrew Shaw-Jimmy Hayes and Brandon Bollig-Marcus Kruger-Joakim Nordstrom. Ben Smith will also likely rotate in on the third and fourth lines. Just some quick notes on the lines: Sharp stood out in the preseason. Playing on the third line should take some pressure off Saad. Hayes was impressive offensively with his size and quickness at times in the preseason. Bollig had a solid preseason, but he needs to be more than an enforcer to keep his spot.

4. The defensive pairings likely will be Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya-Niklas Hjalmarsson and Nick Leddy-Michal Rozsival. Michael Kostka and Sheldon Brookbank likely will rotate with Rozsival throughout the season. Having an eighth defenseman this season will allow Quenneville to sit players when they need some time off or are consistently struggling.

5. You can always hold a special place in your heart for Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik and Viktor Stalberg because they helped win last year's Stanley Cup, but they were role players and replaceable. Hayes, Nordstrom and Smith should have no trouble filling in those spots. Nordstrom is expected to replace Frolik on the penalty kill.

6. The Blackhawks didn't really answer the second-line center issue in the preseason. The plan to use Saad barely got off the ground. Brandon Pirri was the second option, but an injury set him back, and he never got a chance to really show off his game. Which brought Quenneville to his backup option, Handzus. Handzus was recovering from his offseason surgeries during training camp and was held out of all six preseason games. It will be interesting to see how his body holds up over 82 games, especially in such a vital role. As a side note, the Blackhawks' power play didn't look any better in the preseason either.

7. Hossa also didn't play in any preseason games, and there has to be some concern about his health going forward. Hossa looked great while at Notre Dame to start training camp, but he apparently aggravated his back injury sometime in that first week and has been dealing with some issues again. Hossa missed a Stanley Cup finals game due a back problem and wasn't the same player over the last three games of the season. If he's affected again by it early in the season, it might be in the Blackhawks' best interest to sit him for an extended period to get him right. As of now, he said he's fine and will play in the season opener.

8. The NHL has re-aligned its conferences and is back to two divisions per conference. That means the Blackhawks are now joined in the Central Division by the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets. The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are now in the Eastern Conference. The new playoff format will include the top three teams from each division receiving spots and then two wild cards. The first two rounds will be within the division, but with the possibility of the final wild-card team having to cross over divisions to play.

9. Nikolai Khabibulin is back with the Blackhawks and has looked reliable enough in the preseason. If Khabibulin's age (40) catches up to him this season, the Blackhawks will probably turn to Antti Raanta to be Corey Crawford's backup. Raanta, who is from Finland, is getting accustomed to the smaller North American rink in Rockford to start the season. Either way, Crawford will see a bulk of the work load.

10. Oddsmakers have made the Blackhawks the favorites to win the 2014 Stanley Cup. Most have them at 5/1 or 6/1. They're followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Blues, Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. The Penguins were favored by most to win the Cup last season.

Maple Leafs at Canadiens, 7 ET
* Maple Leafs: 3-2-0 vs Canadiens last season, 2-0-0 at Montreal (1 goal allowed)
* Maple Leafs: won 5 of last 6 in Montreal
* 5th straight season teams opening against each other (Maple Leafs 3-0-1)
* Phil Kessel (TOR): ended last season on a 5-game point streak (4G, 5A)

Capitals at Blackhawks, 8 ET
* Teams last met in March 2012 (Blackhawks won at home)
* Blackhawks: 2-0-1 at home vs Capitals in the shootout era

Jets at Oilers, 10 ET
* Teams have met once since franchise relocated to Winnipeg (Oilers won in Winnipeg Feb. 2012)
* Oilers: 2-0-1 at home vs Jets in shootout era
* Last time Jets played in Edmonton was March 29, 1996

ESPN's NHL crew is ready to get rolling on another NHL season. Join us Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m. ET to open the 2013-14 season.

CHICAGO -- Mike Kostka wasn’t so sure when his agent offered the Chicago Blackhawks as a possible destination for the free-agent defenseman in the summer.

“Initially, I was thinking no way,” Kostka said. “It just doesn’t seem to add up.”

What Kostka didn’t get was where he fit in the Blackhawks’ equation. The Blackhawks were already returning all seven of their defensemen from last season’s Stanley Cup championship team, and they also had a couple prospects on the verge of the NHL.

Yet, Kostka signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks in July because his agent, Justin Duberman, and Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman convinced him that he had a legitimate shot of making the team.

Duberman and Bowman can now tell Kostka, “We told you so.” Kostka beat out defenseman Ryan Stanton for the Blackhawks’ eighth and final defenseman roster spot over the weekend.

“It means a ton,” Kostka said of making the team. “It was a stressful few weeks, that’s for sure, with my goal coming here and stick out of camp and give myself an opportunity to play for this team. They were coming off a pretty good year last year, so coming into it I was hoping to put my best foot forward, and I feel like I did.

“Chicago was the one team I felt I was going to get my best opportunity despite how deep they already were. I was kind of chuckling to myself after I signed. Of all of the places, I didn’t think this would be one of them. But I was thrilled to get the opportunity and thrilled to move forward.”

Kostka had a few interested teams in the offseason because of his play with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. He played 35 regular-season games and one playoff game with the Maple Leafs.

As much as Kostka appreciated his opportunity with the Maple Leafs, he didn’t feel like his entire skill set was being utilized. He wasn’t given much offensive freedom in Toronto, and that was something he thought he could get more of in Chicago.

“I take pride in playing an all-around game,” Kostka said. “I think the one thing that was really attractive here is it’s a puck-moving team. We got awesome forwards and just basically get them the puck and get into the play. That’s a style of game I Iike to play. I think it’ll mesh with the team.

“It was a bit of an adjustment to how things were in Toronto, a more defensive-minded team. And so, it’s a breath of fresh air coming in. I think I gel a little bit more with this style of play than maybe in a more shutdown role I had in Toronto.”

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville began mentioning Kostka early in training camp as someone who caught his eye. As the camp progressed, Quenneville became more impressed and eventually decided to choose Kostka over Stanton, which also meant putting Stanton on waivers and losing him to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

“Kostka’s one of those defenseman who is useful as far as both sides of the puck,” Quenneville said. “I think he gives us nice offense from the back end. He’s versatile. He can defend well. He’s got quickness. He’s very handy with the puck.

“He just adds more depth to our team. Losing Stanton says something. It’s something we didn’t envision. But at the same time, getting [Kostka] regularly in there at some point you get a better assessment of what he’s capable of. Offensively, he really complements our style of play.”

Just as his agent thought he would.

CHICAGO -- The Vancouver Canucks claimed defenseman Ryan Stanton off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, coach Joel Quenneville confirmed.

Stanton was among the Blackhawks' final training camp roster cuts and was placed on waivers on Sunday. He was beat out by Michael Kostka for the Blackhawks' final defenseman spot.

"We had eight [defensemen] here, and we were concerned he might get picked up on waivers," Quenneville said after practice on Monday. "We liked the depth he gave us, and he played well for us. It's good for him to actually get the chance to play at this level right off the bat. We wish him well. You can always use extra defensemen in your organization, and he definitely gave us that."

The 24-year-old Stanton was originally signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on March 12, 2010. He was a restricted free agent after the 2012-13 season and re-signed for a one-year deal in July.

Stanton has played in the AHL for the Rockford IceHogs for most of the past three seasons. He had three goals, 22 assists and a plus-16 rating in 73 regular season games with the IceHogs last season. He played in one game for the Blackhawks last season and practiced with the team throughout the playoffs.

CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford and forwards Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus will play in the season opener on Tuesday after being held out of the final preseason game for precautionary reasons, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said on Monday.

Crawford missed the final preseason game on Saturday due to lower-body stiffness after playing in two preseason games. Hossa (upper body) and Handzus (lower body) did not appear in any preseason games.

The Blackhawks had all 23 roster players participate in practice at the Johnny’s IceHouse West on Monday.

“Everybody who was on the ice is able to play,” Quenneville said. “[Crawford] is starting. Handzus and Hossa are ready to play.”

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The Chicago Blackhawks held a private ceremony in Chicago to distribute their 2013 Stanley Cup championship rings on Sunday.

The Blackhawks collaborated with Jostens, a Minnesota-based company, to design the rings.

Some of the Blackhawks’ players shared pictures of their rings and their thoughts about them on Twitter on Sunday.

Forward Bryan Bickell tweeted, "All I can say is, 'Wow.'" His tweet included a photo of his ring.

Forward Brandon Bollig tweeted, "Not too shabby for a small-town kid from Missouri. Amazing ceremony tonight." His tweet included a photo of himself wearing the ring while next to the Stanley Cup.

Forward Andrew Shaw tweeted, "My new baby!" He also included a photo of his ring.

According to a release by Jostens, "The spectacular ring is framed by the words ‘Stanley Cup’ and ‘Champions’ and features the iconic Blackhawks logo fashioned in round brilliant and marquis cut diamonds with custom-cut tapered rubies set on a background of 14 kt. white gold.

“The side design features seven baguette-cut rubies and two pear-shaped emeralds set in the shape of the Blackhawks’ secondary logo. This emblem is set against the background of a 'C' formed in yellow gold and yellow diamonds. Each ring is personalized with a championship team member’s name and respective number against an antique black background.

“The opposite side features five diamond-studded Stanley Cup trophies. Each one represents a championship title, and includes the years in which they were won, including 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010 and 2013.

“Intricate arboring on the inside of each player’s ring adds to the distinctive design, featuring the team’s motto: ‘One Goal,’ and the playoff series score. The total weight of the championship ring is 93.0 grams and includes 260 diamonds and gemstones totaling approximately 14.68 carats.”

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Saturday he was looking forward to the ceremony.

“It’s a great moment,” Quenneville said. “A good time to reflect as well. After the ceremony, let’s turn the page, and let’s get excited about this season.”

The Blackhawks’ season opener will be against the Washington Capitals at the United Center on Tuesday. The Blackhawks will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner before the game.

Here are six observations from the Chicago Blackhawks' training camp and preseason games:

1. The durability of the Blackhawks’ older players has to be a concern. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been very cautious with players’ injuries in the preseason. There is no reason to risk anything. Yet, the fact 34-year-old Marian Hossa and 36-year-old Michal Handzus didn’t play in a single preseason game and haven’t been 100 percent healthy in the preseason has to be somewhat alarming. Both players are getting up in age, and both are coming off a season where they suffered severe injuries. With Hossa, there’s a lot at stake for the present, but even more so for the future. Back injuries aren’t anything to mess with, and the Blackhawks are depending on Hossa for years to come. As for Handzus, his injury wouldn’t be as much of an immediate concern if Brandon Saad or Brandon Pirri had worked out at the second-line center. But with Handzus being that option now, the Blackhawks are looking for him to duplicate what he did in the playoffs.

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The Chicago Blackhawks assigned forward Kyle Beach to HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Beach was drafted by the Blackhawks with the No. 11th overall pick of the 2008 draft. He has not appeared in any NHL games. He was a restricted free agent after the 2012-13 season and was re-signed to a one-year deal by the Blackhawks in July.

Beach has played for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL the last three seasons. He had 16 goals, 10 assists and a team-high 204 penalty minutes in 66 regular-season games last season.

Beach played in one preseason game for the Blackhawks this season. He was assigned to the IceHogs on Sept. 24.

CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy’s thought process begins with passing.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been working to change it to shooting first.

On Saturday, Leddy listened to Quenneville ... and it paid off with two goals in the Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals in the Blackhawks’ final preseason game.

“I think just growing up and playing that way your whole life,” Leddy said of his tendency to pass. “I think that’s the way my mind kind of goes. That’s the first instinct. I have to get over that. That will be nice.

“I think there are opportunities in the past where I’ve passed up on shots. Now I’m trying to get the shooter’s mentality and try to shoot the more.”

Leddy’s first goal was set up when Patrick Sharp skated around two defenders on the right side, Leddy skated up into the slot and Sharp found him. Leddy beat Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby with a shot into the top right corner of the net in the first period.

On the second goal, Sharp again delivered the pass and Leddy fired a shot from near the blue line that found its way into the bottom right corner in the second period.

Quenneville was hopeful Leddy would remember Saturday’s results going forward.

“You got a night like tonight where they start going in and maybe tells you more, ‘Let’s think shot, shot, shot,’” Quenneville said.

Capitals again: The Blackhawks and Capitals will meet again on Tuesday in the season opener, but with different lineups.

The Capitals were without Alex Ovechkin on Saturday, and the Blackhawks also sat a number of their key players, including Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford.

“They had some guys out of their lineup and so did we,” Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw said. “I think it’s going to be a different game come Tuesday.”

The Chicago Blackhawks reduced their roster to 24 players on Saturday by assigning goaltender Antti Raanta and forwards Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.

The Blackhawks are expected to make one more roster cut in the next few days. They currently have 13 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville recently said he planned to keep eight defensemen. The final spot is likely between Michael Kostka and Ryan Stanton.

The Blackhawks open their season against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

CHICAGO – Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals in a preseason game at the United Center on Saturday.

How it happened: Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw scored the game winner in overtime when he knocked in a puck in front of the net. Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy scored twice, and Jimmy Hayes added a goal. Both of Leddy’s goals were set up by forward Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks held the Capitals to 15 shots on goal. Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin made 12 saves. The Blackhawks had 35 shots on goal. Mikhail Grabovski, Joel Ward and Marcus Johansson scored for the Capitals.

What it means: The Blackhawks closed out the preseason with a 4-0-2 record. The Blackhawks will make three more cuts in the next few days. Defenseman Ryan Stanton and forward Jeremy Morin did not play on Saturday and are expected to be two of the cuts. The Blackhawks held out goaltender Corey Crawford and forward Marian Hossa for precautionary reasons. Both are expected to play in the season opener.

Player of the game: Leddy led the Blackhawks with three points. He had two goals and an assist.

What’s next: The Blackhawks and Capitals don’t have to wait long to play again. They will face each other again in the season opener at the United Center on Tuesday. The Blackhawks will raise their Stanley Cup banner prior to the game.