"Jonathan Toews has seen Blackhawks linemate Marian Hossa at the top of his game before.

"I remember growing up watching him with the Ottawa Senators when he and Martin Havlat were going to town," Toews, 22, said. "I've had a chance to play with both, learn from them and see why they're so good.

"(Hossa) is so relaxed, unlike some of us young guys who are less patient when you're not scoring and you get a little frustrated. He just stays with it and finds a way."

Hossa has been finding a way since the beginning of this season. Entering Tuesday night's play around the NHL, he leads the league with 11 points and seven goals through seven games.

What does Hossa think about his current center saying he watched him as a youngster?

"That makes me pretty old," Hossa said with a laugh. "I was the same way when I started playing as a 19-year-old in the NHL (during the 1997-98 season with the Senators). … If you want to keep up with the young guys you have to be in good shape and and that's what I try to do."

The key to Hossa's spectacular play in the early going is the 31-year-old's health. Before last season he had shoulder surgery and missed the first two months. During the Stanley Cup finals against the Flyers, Hossa suffered a sprained knee. After a restful summer spent mostly in his homeland of Slovakia, both injuries are fully healed."