"Just more than a week remains in Blackhawks training camp, and for players battling for the precious few open roster spots heading into the regular season, opportunities to impress the team's hierarchy are dwindling.

After assigning Brett McLean to Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, the Hawks' camp roster stood at 31 active players. When the season begins Oct. 7 against the Stars in Dallas, the Hawks will carry 22 or 23 players, likely the latter number with winger Daniel Carcillo suspended the first two games of the season and forward Patrick Sharp completing his recovery from an emergency appendectomy."