Blackhawks' Duncan Keith: May not be ready for start of season

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman is unsure whether Keith (knee) will be ready for the start of the regular season, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Analysis:

Keith recently decided not to participate in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey to focus on strengthening his surgically repaired right knee. When that decision was announced it seemed to be a precautionary move for Keith, but this latest news contradicts that notion. The 33-year-old defender's status for Chicago's Oct. 12 regular-season opener against the Blues should become clearer when the 'Hawks kick off their preseason schedule Sept. 28 against Pittsburgh.