Hawks' 'D' to pay dividends Khabibulin 'happy' here

Additions of Campbell, Huet should aid Hawks By Chris Kuc | Tribune reporter The Blackhawks should be adept at putting pucks in opposing nets this season, but their ability to keep pucks out of their own could decide their fate. The Hawks ranked 20th in defense last season, allowing 231 goals. Coach Denis Savard wants to reduce that number to fewer than 200, which five of the 30 NHL teams managed last season. "Defense, defense, defense, defense," Savard said. "That's the thing I've been focusing on in training camp since Day One. We have to cut down by half a goal a game. I think 190 [or] 195 will get us to graduate. We're going to score goals, I'm not concerned about that. We just have to keep our goals-against down." The blockbuster free-agent signing of "It's exciting and it's young," Campbell said of the Hawks' defense.... [read full story]