Blackhawks veteran faces tough challenge during late stages of his NHL career

Teuvo Teravainen is already under pressure at Blackhawks camp, with Jeff Blashill openly putting the veteran into a roster competition.

Chicago's second day of training camp brought the first real sign that established roles won't simply be handed out. Teravainen has moved in and out of a third-line mix with Andrew Mangiapane, Oliver Moore and Ryan Donato.

That rotation matters because Teravainen entered camp looking like a clear lineup regular. Blashill has now made it clear that his spot is part of a larger competition among the forwards.

The Blackhawks have enough NHL-ready options to force difficult decisions. With Connor Bedard unavailable, Blashill said Chicago still has 14 NHL forwards fighting for places in the lineup.

Teravainen still brings versatility that can help his case. Blashill pointed toward his value on both special-teams units and stressed that skating with confidence remains a major part of his game.

That puts more weight on the preseason. Teravainen isn't just getting his legs back under him. His deployment and pace could help determine where he fits when Chicago settles on its opening-night combinations.

Camp has also started revealing which younger players could push veterans for minutes. That competition gives Blashill room to reward whoever separates himself over the next stretch.

Chicago's lineup pressure is already building

The Blackhawks are also using camp to sharpen their transition game and defensive-zone structure. Bowen Byram highlighted the mobility on Chicago's blue line after another practice built around skating and battle work.

Up front, Patrick Kane, Nick Lardis, Ryan Donato and Anton Frondell all flashed during offensive drills, while Chicago also spent time organizing its special-teams groups.

Jordan Greenway is another player drawing attention. He has skated in a bottom-six group with Cole Smith, Ryan Greene and Landon Slaggert while trying to establish a heavier checking role.

At 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, Greenway gives Chicago a different element. His size, puck retrieval and ability to create space could make him useful against tougher opposing lines.

Chicago opens its preseason against the Minnesota Wild on September 19, and Blashill indicated the lineup will lean toward younger players. That gives the prospects an early chance to turn camp pressure into roster movement.

For Teravainen, the message is already clear. Reputation alone won't settle his place in the lineup, and the competition around him has started before the first preseason puck drop.

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