Suhonen and Smith favor skilled players and a puck-control type game, a vast departure from the Blackhawks' typical dump and chase, puck pursuit forechecking game.

What has to happen

The Blackhawks need to adapt quickly to their new coach and his new style. The NHL isn't for the unprepared or the feint of heart, so the 'Hawks will have to come out of the gates quickly and operating on all cylinders to have any chance at all of becoming a playoff contender.

Center Alexei Zhamnov, a favorite and draftee of Smith in Winnipeg, has to thrive in Suhonen's new system and put up the type of numbers he did early in his career when he scored 25-30 goals and 65-70 points. Zhamnov has the ability to be one of the NHL's elite players. He'll have to be for the 'Hawks to make the playoffs.

Goalie Jocelyn Thibault had a great finish last season after a terrible start. Since the former Quebec Nordiques drafted him 10th overall in 1993, Thibault has teased with his talent. He'll have to come up big to get the Blackhawks back to respectability.

What can't happen

Winger Tony Amonte has scored more goals than any other NHL player in the past two seasons -- 87 -- and he's widely regarded as the likely successor to departed Doug Gilmour as the Blackhawks' captain. If Amonte doesn't get the C, as well as a contract extension to bump-up his bargain salary (by NHL standards), his situation could become a huge distraction for the team that doesn't need one.

Defenseman Anders Eriksson can't backslide like he did last season. The key player in the deal that sent Chelios to Detroit two years ago, Eriksson had a lackluster 1999-2000 season, with three goals and 28 points in 73 games. He often found himself benched. He has to play like a top-two defenseman, or the 'Hawks are in big trouble.

Finally, left winger Eric Daze can't be in a daze, like he has been for much of his career. At 6-5, 210 pounds, Daze has the physical tools to dominate, but he seems to be lacking heart. The Blackhawks will look for him to show some leadership and work ethic.

Noteworthy

Rookie defenseman Steve McCarthy, the 'Hawks No. 1 pick in 1999, has been one of the surprises in training camp and could be on the opening night roster. According to the Chicago Tribune, the 19-year-old might play on a defensive pairing with linchpin D-man Boris Mironov. ... The Blackhawks are 1-4-1 in the preseason. Their four goals against the expansion Minnesota Wild on Sunday matched the total in their previous five games. Their only victory was by a 2-1 score over the St. Louis Blues on Friday. ... With the waiver draft coming up this week, the clock is ticking for spare parts Doug Zmolek and Bob Probert, who earn $1.2 million and $1.8 million per year, respectively. ... Center Michal Nylander suffered a minor groin pull against the Blues. ... The Chicago Sun Times reported that the 'Hawks might be interested in Washington winger Peter Bondra, who has asked to be traded. ... Winger Valeri Zelepukin, signed in the offseason as a free agent, has been skating on the 'Hawks No. 1 line with Amonte and Zhamnov.