Jonathan Toews and Chicago players had been running their own practices and designing plays, but they decided to hire Kenny McCudden to assist them by mixing up their lockout drills. McCudden is the skating and skills coach for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. "I've always dreamed of being on the ice with the Patrick Sharps and Patrick Kanes, and here we are," McCudden said. "I'm going to try to do as many skates as possible as an independent contractor, and this is what I do professionally." He has brought some order to their sessions, but soon he'll be back with the Wolves as they open their regular season on Saturday versus the Hawks' minor-league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

Jonathan Toews had some harsh words for commissioner Gary Bettman after the NHL canceled the first two weeks of the regular season on Thursday. "It's another disappointing but expected move from the league," Toews said. "This seems to be our commissioner's bread-and-butter. It's almost like he is excited to take away hockey from the fans and the players just because he can. Personally, I still haven't heard a valid argument from the league for what they are doing, just that they want more (money) and last time it wasn't enough. If they would be as determined to solve these issues as they are quick to point the finger at us (the players), this would be settled by now. But they aren't, and now we know we'll miss at least two weeks because of it." If you're looking for a silver lining it's that we still might have a full regular season schedule. The season won't start on Oct. 11 as originally played, but if we get a new CBA soon, we might end up with a condensed schedule and/or one that simply comes with a later than planned end date.

Jonathan Toews is getting frustrated at the lockout which is in Day 10. "We saw what the (owners) did in '04-05, and who knows if they're willing to do that again," Toews said. "To me, it's just carelessness. It's them just trying to show everyone that they're the owners and they're the league. They can do whatever they want. If they want to hurt their own game and drive it into the ground, that's what they'll do. Even if it comes down to that, it doesn't matter as long as they get what they want." Toews is practicing in Chicago with teammates and players who live in the Chicago area.

Jonathan Toews thinks the owners' plan all along was to wait this long to hopefully put the heat on the players to cave to their demands. The Blackhawks captain believes even losing one or two games of the season is a major disappointment. "I think it's been a negotiating tactic all along from the league standpoint to wait this long," Toews said. "From the players' standpoint, we made it clear that we'll play under the former CBA. There's been more than enough effort from players to find an agreement. It's almost embarrassing that it's already gone this far. As players, we're just going to stay patient and stay with it."

Jonathan Toews ran another informal workout for the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. "It's nice just to skate," Patrick Kane said. "That's the big thing right now. Guys are still trying to get ready for the season and be ready when that time comes. I spent a lot of time in Buffalo this summer. It's nice being back there but at the same time it's always nice coming back to Chicago and seeing the city, being here with teammates and trying to get ready for the season." The old CBA expired on Sept. 15 and it's not clear when the players and owners will resume official CBA talks.

Jonathan Toews hasn't signed with a European club yet, but he hasn't ruled it out either. "That's something I've been thinking about," Toews said. "It's in the back of my mind right now. It's definitely an option. But like everything, it's a very uncertain thing. . If it gets to a certain point where I feel like it's absolutely necessary, then we'll make a decision. But as of right now, I don't feel too pressed." For now, Toews is still working out in Chicago.

Jonathan Toews paid for ice time at the Blackhawks practice facility and ran an informal workout. Plenty of Blackhawks were there along with former Chicago players Brian Campbell, Troy Brouwer and Ben Eager. "Most of the guys that are here, whether they're living here for the summer or not, it's convenient for all of us to be able to skate together," Toews said. "It's just a good place to be and work out with all these guys and stay ready . . . whether I'm pursuing that other option [in Europe during an extensive lockout] or if we somehow reach a deal in the next little while." It is not certain if the Blackhawks will continue to allow any NHLers to use their practice ice.

Jonathan Toews is prepared for a lockout should it come. "There are sacrifices you have to make for those guys (in 2004-05) and for yourself and for the future players," Toews said. "It sets a precedent for what's right and how the players should be treated. Whether you're a player who just came into the league the last couple of years or one who went through the last lockout, we're all aware of what . we're going to have to sacrifice this time. The fact we're willing to do it for each other means a lot." Toews is considering playing in Europe depending on the length of the lockout.

Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks are scheduled to be featured in 14 national television broadcasts during the upcoming season. It's no surprise that a popular Original Six team like the Hawks received such a prominent placing on the TV schedule, but it will provide greater opportunity for fantasy owners of Chicago players to watch them live on and cheer them on. Conversely, the Blue Jackets will only be broadcast nationally once all season.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews missed 23 games last season while dealing with a concussion but he didn't come off the ice for good until playing a few games with the symptoms. "I think it was known for a couple games I was playing through some issues, playing with some issues," Toews said. "I wasn't feeling like myself, and to me, I look back, and if I felt that way today I would still give an effort to try and play through it. It didn't feel like it was enough, my body wasn't telling me that 'OK, it's time to quit, this isn't working.' I think it just gradually got worse as that week went along."