Blackhawks Lose To Blues In Season Opener, 5-2

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock St. Louis got what he needed from their best players, and that was more than enough on the opening night.

Vladimir Tarasenko had two goals and an assist, and blue started the season with a solid 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Jersey on Wednesday.

"The guys who were present did a number today," Hitchcock said. "The guys who have been here before and know what it feels like to play in this building, know what it feels like to play against Chicago, played very well today."

Kevin Shattenkirk and Paul Stastny each had a goal and two assists for the Blues, who eliminated the Blackhawks in seven games in the first round of the playoffs in April. Jake Allen had 17 saves in his first game since he was handed the lead work illegal trade blockade June Brian Elliott to Calgary.

Alexandre Fortin making Blackhawks think long and hard about roster spot

Blackhawks in the locker room, the biggest closet for a skater currently belongs to 19-year-old Alexandre Fortin. At one end of the room, Fortin ranks third goalkeeper Corey Crawford Jersey and with Scott Darling needing larger cabinets because they have more equipment than others.

It is a temporary fix for Fortin - without skater can have a very large wardrobe for the season, much less someone who is 19. Over time, you will have to move. The only question is where?

There are two options - to another position in the room should Fortin make the cut or the final list back to the Major Junior Hockey League Quebec.

Kero, Gustafsson Among Blackhawks Sent Down Monday

Chicago Blackhawks are slowly trimming their roster to size before the start of the new season, and some notable prospects were among those cut from the team Monday morning.
Forward Tanner Kero, expected to compete for a spot in front bottom-six with the Hawks, was among those assigned to the Rockford IceHogs in a series of cuts Monday. Joining him on the list were the defenders Erik Gustafsson and Ville Pokka, who were both hoping to make the blue line of the team this year.
Chicago Blackhawks throw the puck on preseason vs Penguins
Gustafsson, who appeared in 41 games for the Blackhawks last season while notching 14 assists, did not make the list after a season in charge for the team. The Hawks have signed Michal Kempny and Brian Campbell as free agents, and also saw the emergence of players like Gustav Forsling on the blue line, and all three of these players are likely over Gustafsson on the graph of depth.