"The signing of forward Patrick Sharp to a five-year contract extension Wednesday eliminated the biggest possibility for distraction facing the Blackhawks during the upcoming season.

That is a relief for the veteran forward — and Hawks general manager Stan Bowman — as their focus will now be all about what happens on the ice when training camp begins in September.

"As players you deal with a lot of outside distractions, and clearly your own contract is one of them," said Sharp, who inked the deal that will carry a salary-cap hit of $5.9 million per season beginning with the 2012-13 campaign. "As much as you try to block that kind of stuff out it's a constant battle. This was certainly going to be (a distraction) from the outside but also (from) within.

"I'm glad I don't have to focus on that. I just want to show up to camp, be the best player I can be, be a great teammate and try to win another Stanley Cup."

Sharp will play the final season under his contract currently paying him $4.2 million with a salary-cap hit of $3.9 million before the new deal kicks in next year."