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The Chicago Blackhawks made their first training camp cuts on Tuesday and reduced their roster from 56 to 47 players.

The Blackhawks assigned forward David Gilbert to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL and defensemen Dillon Fournier and Travis Brown and goaltender Brandon Whitney to their respective junior teams. They also released forwards Wade Brookbank and Pat Mullane and defensemen Joe Gleason, Jared Nightingale and Bobby Shea from training camp.

The Blackhawks' active roster now includes 28 forwards, 14 defensemen and five goaltenders leading into their preseason opener against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks completed a 3-1 series comeback and eliminated the Detroit Red Wings on an overtime game-winner in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup conference semifinals when the teams last met at the United Center.

Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane expected that to be on players’ minds when the two teams face each other again in a preseason game at the United Center on Tuesday.

“I haven’t seen their lineup, but I’m sure they have some players who were here last year that aren’t too happy with the way things went down, so they’ll probably be trying to get a little revenge,” Kane said. “I’m sure memories will fly if they have the same lineup as last year. …. I’m sure they’ll be thinking about the last time they were here and what happened in that Game 7.”

Last season’s playoffs and the fact it’s the Red Wings may add some flare to the Blackhawks’ preseason opener, but Chicago coach Joel Quenneville was more concerned about his players getting off to a good start and continuing to evaluate players.

“Guys like playing,” Quenneville said. “Whether it’s the first exhibition game, first regular-season game, I think there’s always that excitement in the air. I think the guys get a little nervous going into these type of games. I look forward to it. Detroit, I’m sure they’re excited about playing in it as well. It’ll be a good measuring stick for some guys as well. It’ll be a good part of our evaluation process watching a number of guys tonight.”

After four days of scrimmages, Kane was looking forward to playing against someone who wasn’t wearing a Blackhawks jersey, too.

“Just play the right way to start,” Kane said. “The big thing is you want to get used back to that game pace, especially you play some scrimmages and get used to it a little bit. Now you play some preseason games, so it’ll be ramped up a little bit more. You know you’re playing different players than on your own team. It’ll be fun.

"I think it’s always a fun game when you’re playing against Detroit, no matter the time of year. It’ll be nice to get back out in front of the ice in front of the United Center, get the season under way.”

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CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau would like Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig.

Bollig knows his job.

While Bollig likes the idea of having an expanded offensive role this season and was happy to discuss the goal he scored in the Blackhawks’ scrimmage Monday at the United Center, he understands he’s on the ice mainly for one reason -- to be an enforcer.

“It’s no secret I’m not necessarily here to do that,” Bollig said of scoring. “It’s an added bonus if you score goals here and there, which I definitely like to do.

“I don’t think fighting will ever go away from the game completely. I’m more than willing to do that part of it.”

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CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is improving, but he will sit out a scrimmage on Monday and the first preseason game on Tuesday due to a lower-body injury, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said on Monday.

Quenneville said Toews skated at the United Center on Monday, and Toews gave him encouraging news afterward.

“He said he felt great,” Quenneville said. “That’s a good sign. No aggravation.”

Toews was kept out of the team’s scrimmages on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Notre Dame. Quenneville said Friday that Toews’ injury was minor and it was something he suffered prior to the training camp.

Quenneville said Toews would participate in future preseason games. The Blackhawks have six preseason games before their season opener on Oct. 1.

“He’ll definitely be playing in preseason games,” Quenneville said. “We’ll be keeping an eye on him this week.”

Michal Handzus, Michal Rozsival and Brandon Pirri will also not play in Monday’s scrimmage due to injuries. Quenneville described Pirri as being “OK,” and he said Handzus and Rozsival were improving.

“Handzus and [Rozsival] have been skating a lot over the past few days,” Quenneville said. “They’re both progressing well. We see them both being ready to start the season.”

Quenneville said Marian Hossa will sit out Monday’s scrimmage to give other players more ice time.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy isn’t sure where all the time went.

Leddy may only be 22 years old, but he’s already played in 212 NHL regular-season and playoff games and is about to enter his fourth season with the Blackhawks.

“It flew by,” Leddy said on Sunday. “I think I feel more and more comfortable every year. Just feels weird to me this being my fourth year.”

Leddy is becoming an NHL veteran on paper, but he doesn’t feel that way on the ice. He and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville think he still has room to grow.

Quenneville especially spoke positively of Leddy after Saturday’s scrimmages.

“I thought he’s had a strong start to our season,” Quenneville said on Saturday. “I thought last year he got off to a really good start to our team. I thought he was a big part to our season. I thought he used that speed and quickness regularly [during Saturday’s scrimmages.] Looked like he had more pace to it. I think he’s a young kid. We expect him to keep improving offensively and defensively. But [Saturday] he showed he’s ready to take another step.”

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