BLOG: Blackhawks Head Into First Preseason Tilt | Training Camp Day 5

Head coach Luke Richardson cracked open a cold one before his a press conference after Monday's practice at Fifth Third Arena.
He was celebrating the launch of the Blackhawks Pale Ale -- delivering reporters a round of the new beer that hit stores Monday, a collaboration between the team and Goose Island Beer Co. But he was also likely toasting his team's last training camp practice before the first preseason tilt against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night at the United Center.
Now, entering its the second week of training camp, the Blackhawks are staying true to Richardson's mission of keeping the game plan simple and straightforward.
"When your job is laid out for you," said forward Tyler Johnson in the locker room after practice, "it helps everybody. It really does. And Luke's done a great job of that."

The team held split practices once more, with Team A practicing in the morning and Team B in the afternoon. Coach Richardson ran the power play work and shooting practice for the majority of the sessions.
The players, regardless of experience, know that opportunities on special teams could translate into more playing time.
"I think there's big opportunities for everyone right now for big roles," said forward Philipp Kurashev. "Everyone wants to be helping the team as much as they can. I think there's some openings and I'm trying to take some."

On the Ice

Defenseman Kevin Korchinski continued to impress the team at his training camp. Beyond his elite skating, Richardson complimented the 2022 first-round pick on his coachability. He cited a moment during power-play practice when he spoke with Korchinski about his positioning.
"[After] giving him one little pointer, he adjusted and actually ended up scoring," said Richardson. "It just shows how good of a player and [how] coachable he is to just give them one little bit of instruction, and [then] he executes right after that."
Forward Mike Hardman sat out of Monday's practice with a groin injury.
Luke Richardson's game plan for tomorrow: Petr Mrazek and Alex Stalock will split time in goal while veteran Jack Johnson will not play.
"He played right till the middle of June," said Richardson about Johnson, who played last year for the Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche. "He looks good on the ice, there's no need for him to play. His body probably needs the rest."