Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad will play on the team's top scoring line in Friday's season-opener against Dallas. Saad was the surprise of training camp and he has turned his impressive showing into a spot alongside Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews on the number one line. It's hard to predict how long this assignment will last, but it's worth going along for the ride while you can.

Brandon Saad has earned a spot on the Chicago Blackhawks' opening game roster. Saad was a long shot to make the team out of training camp, but he forced his way onto the roster with his preseason play. Saad has done so well, that Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville decided to give him Sunday's exhibition game off. "We figured if we're going to start with him, we wanted to give him a break," Quenneville said. "He put himself in a pretty good spot." Of course, just because Saad made the team doesn't mean his spot is secure. The team will begin the season without Dan Carcillo (suspension) and Viktor Stalberg (leg). If Saad starts the season off on a cold streak, then he'll probably get sent down to the junior level when those two return.

Brandon Saad continues to turn heads at the Blackhawks' training camp. He scored the game-winning goal Friday night against the Capitals and played a very strong game against the Penguins Thursday evening. Hawk management did not envision Saad graduating to the NHL this season, but the 18-year-old's play has seemingly changed its mind. "It's not something I think we envisioned," coach Joel Quenneville said. "But every year, every training camp, there's always somebody who will grab your attention and you have to look at their case a little differently. (Saad) has done that." Keep an eye on Saad.

Second round pick Brandon Saad has had a great start to training camp thus far. Saad scored once on Friday against the Washington Capitals and caused some havoc on the ice when he hit the Caps' Alex Ovechkin. His solid play has him back in the lineup on Sunday. "I don't know. If he keeps doing that every day we'll probably be talking about him the next day," head coach Joel Quenneville said when asked if Saad has a chance to make the team. "It's not something we envisioned, but every training camp there's someone who gets your attention and captures it, makes you look at the case differently. He's done that." Stay tuned.