NHL: Toews and Kane are Able

The Columbus Blue Jackets topped the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in an action-packed, back and fourth game. Both teams dressed several top prospects such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Derrick Brassard and Jakub Voracek, who are all making a case for an opening night roster spot.

CHICAGO NOTES

New free-agent arrivals Robert Lang, Yanic Perreault, and Sergei Samsonov worked well together on the powerplay. Samsonov was especially impressive with his tricky one-on-one arsenal, stimulated by his mesmerizing hands and exceptional lateral quickness to go along with his creative playmaking touch. Lang did a slick job quarterbacking the powerplay from the half wall and like Samsonov, appears to be ready for a big year. Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith where rock solid at both ends of the rink and seem ready to carry the heavy workload this season. Keith's excellent skating ability and puck movement, along with his deceptive strength make him a formidable two-way performer. Seabrook is a commanding presence with a relentless defensive game, as he is a real general on the ice. Import defenseman Magnus Johansson did a fine job distributing the puck on the point but he needs to shoot more, as he passes up prime scoring opportunities to force a cute pass at times.

Jonathan Toews (Chi), C, Chicago Blackhawks

Sidelined 2-3 weeks with a broken finger, which is unfortunate, as he is clearly NHL ready and would immediately be a staple of this lineup .. already a go-to-guy on the powerplay, penalty kill, and five-on-five .. makes players around him better .. did not generate any offense but still contributed a great deal, as his defensive game is mature beyond his years with flawless defensive positioning and awareness .. adds a much-needed grit factor to the Hawks group of forwards, as he is strong in traffic and competes with tenacity in the trenches .. has a hunched over stride that gives off the appearance that he's not moving fast, yet his footwork is uniform and he consistently displays the ability to use his proficient top gear to gain separation from the opposition.

Patrick Kane (Chi), RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Bad habits that he picked up dominating junior are plaguing his game, as he struggled to generate offense anywhere but on the powerplay .. still tries to go end-to-end and walk four guys in the process .. guilty of turning the puck over at the offensive blu line and nullifying an offensive rush, as he tried to dance around defenders several times with no success instead of dumping the puck in deep .. very eager to go offensive and must be more militant on the defensive side of the puck .. lost the majority of one-on-one battles for loose pucks .. cannot say enough about his skill level and offensive creativity - disguises his intentions masterfully and is a true wizard with the puck .. does a fantastic job on the powerplay attacking the defense and drawing a man to him before dishing off a no look, tape-to-tape pass to set up a prime scoring chance .. small stature should not affect his ability to stay healthy, as he is so slippery, it is almost impossible for the opposition to get a clean hit on him.

Cam Barker (Chi), D, Chicago Blackhawks

Blessed with nimble feet and a swift stride for a big man .. received ample icetime on the powerplay where he displayed his striking vision and booming shot .. can move the puck like a seasoned vet at times displaying the ability to run the powerplay but he is still prone to forcing a pass or shot into the oppositions legs .. must refine his defensive game, as he gives way to large a gap and can become fixated on the puck and can let his man sneak in behind him undetected .. can be late to identify his man near the crease at times but once he does, he effectively boxes him out with his big frame that seems adequately filled out .. NHL ready but expect growing pains.

Jack Skille (Chi), RW, Rockford Ice Hogs

Displaying the intensity and fortitude every shift it takes to play in the NHL but will be best served to spend some more time in the AHL to get his offense up to NHL standards .. thoroughbred skater - does a fine job harnessing his blistering speed to excel on the back check and forecheck .. did an exceptional job on the penalty kill suffocating the Blue Jackets' breakout with multiple hits and by clogging the passing lanes with his long reach .. already possesses a big and chiseled frame .. once he learns how to harness his speed and rocket wrist shot that packs a hair-trigger release to generate offense at this level, he will be a much needed power presence down the wing for Chicago.

Colin Fraser (Chi), C, Chicago Blackhawks

Did a fine job on the penalty kill displaying a healthy understanding of clogging passing and shooting lanes, as well as marking skills .. did not do much offensively although, he made a few nice passes displaying above average vision and touch .. solid depth player but nothing more.

COLUMBUS NOTES

Ron Hainsey whom is just entering his prime performed admirably. Hainsey was clearly the most athletic defenseman in the lineup and was especially impressive while displaying the ability to rush with the puck and looks to be their top powerplay weapon on the point. Jason Chimera is a standup guy looking ready to provide plenty of grit and speed to the lineup, as he did an exceptional job on the forecheck and fought twice when he thought the opposition took liberties with his teammates. Forms a solid duo on the third line with Manny Malhotra. Curtis Glencross is making a case for himself to make the squad with his spirited two-way play that aggravates the opposition, as well as a tendency to generate turnovers. Goaltender Pascal Leclaire clearly has all the athletic ability but must refine his rebound control, as he tends to kick-out pucks to the slot.

Derick Brassard (CBJ), C, Syracuse Crunch/ Columbus Blue Jackets

If he reaches his full potential, Brassard will be an elite, playmaking center in the NHL .. his vision, patience, creativity, and poise are all extraordinary traits that allow him to break down NHL defenses with his deft passing game.. appears capable of running the powerplay at this level, as he is an intuitive offensive force that takes what the opposition gives him and then exploits it without ever forcing a play .. possesses exceptional skill and speed, as he effortlessly reaches his blistering top gear in just a few strides .. must bulk up, as he's rail thin and could wear down in the pro game .. needs to shore up his play on the defensive side of the puck, as he has caught floating around and taking wide turns away from the puck .. definitely making a case to make the team out of camp, as Columbus is starving for his skill and playmaking at the center position.

Jakub Voracek (CBJ), RW, Halifax Mooseheads

Performed admirably for an 18-year-old in his first NHL Pre-Season game and may entice the Blue Jackets to give him a few games with the big club to begin the season .. not a pretty skater but his speed is up to NHL standards and is surprisingly agile for a big man because he is so strong on his edges .. is not being pushed around, as he is displaying his strength and sturdiness on his feet while winning the majority of 50/50 battles .. making mature passes and displaying shades of his creativity distributing the puck .. already a solid two-way performer with adequate defensive awareness and good anticipation.

Joakim Lindstrom (CBJ), C, Syracuse Crunch

Intriguing prospect that should challenge for a spot on the Blue Jackets top six in the near future, if the numbers game does not pigeon hole him to the third or fourth lines .. possesses velvety hands with masterful in-close puckhandling skills .. very quick and agile skater with economical footwork and rapid start up strides .. sees the ice very well and identifies the open man instantly .. excels at carrying the puck out from behind the net before finding an open man in the slot and dishing him a tape-to-tape pass .. not afraid to venture into traffic and does a nice job retaining possession while warding off checks.

Jared Boll (CBJ), RW, Syracuse Crunch

Blossoming power forward that loves to land thunderous body checks and play an abrasive style that gets under the opponent's skin .. was utilized frequently on the penalty kill, as he owns a non-stop motor and a good presence of mind defensively .. uses his big frame to drive to the net and displays a long and strong stride giving him a fine top gear.

Marc Methot (CBJ), D, Columbus Blue Jackets

Rock solid stay-at-home rearguard with good size and mobility .. possesses high-end defensive awareness - nearly impenetrable one-on-one .. does a great job staying with his man off the rush, as his gap control is flawless and he locks on the body .. uses his big frame to be an imposing obstacle in front of his net .. makes a safe and tape-to-tape outlet pass .. pivots smoothly and moves well in all directions .. appears to be ready to leap frog or join Tollefsen as a third pairing defenseman.

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (CBJ), D, Columbus Blue Jackets

Provides a key physical presence to the backend .. plays with a nasty disposition, as he owns a ferocious mean streak ,finishes every check, and at times, goes over board finishing them with too much authority and earning a trip to the penalty box .. decent skater with a good first step .. does not turn the puck over but he struggles to hit his teammates with a tape-to-tape outlet pass - often just electing to use the glass to get the puck out of his zone.

Gilbert Brule (CBJ), RW/C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Flashes the ability to do a little bit of everything but struggled to put all the pieces together to be an effective offensive force consistently .. purposeful skater with a striking burst of speed out of the gates .. possesses superb in-close puck control and is greasy one-on-one .. displayed a ferocious slapshot and a deadly one timer .. gutsy and fearless, he throws his body around with reckless abandonment .. struggled to see the ice, as he forced passes into lanes that were not there and skated himself into option less territory before being manhandled off the puck if the defender established body contact.