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The offseason is lastly over for the Chicago Blackhawks! Coaching camp formally begins, with participant physicals this Wednesday, Sept. 18 and the primary observe on Thursday, Sept. 19. The primary exhibition recreation would be the following Wednesday, Sept. 25, when the Blackhawks host the Detroit Purple Wings. Quite a bit has transpired through the summer time, resulting in an underlying sense of hope and pleasure in Chicago. As we prepare for the 2024-25 marketing campaign, let’s have a look at 4 massive storylines to observe as camp will get underway.
Who Will Be Connor Bedard’s Linemates?
That is by far the largest storyline, so we would as nicely simply get proper to it. The Blackhawks acknowledged on the finish of final season that they wished to take the subsequent step of their rebuild. They’ve an enormous head begin with their 2023 first general draft choose, Connor Bedard. However regardless of a formidable rookie season, even Bedard struggled at instances with little or no assist round him. One man, irrespective of how proficient, simply can’t do it alone. Particularly in the event that they’re solely 18 years previous, and model new to the NHL.
The Blackhawks acknowledged this, and addressed it accordingly within the offseason. They added 5 veteran forwards to the combo, in addition to anticipating some injured gamers to as soon as once more be wholesome this season. The group is clearly making an attempt to construct round Bedard as they decide their top-six forwards. So what are the choices? I’ll break it into three situations.
Blackhawks New Additions
Most individuals suppose that is the most definitely set-up. Why wouldn’t newly acquired Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi be Bedard’s linemates? In any case, they’re each extremely expert veterans that may know find out how to complement this younger expertise. Bedard actually didn’t have anybody that would sustain with him final season (we’ll get to Philipp Kurashev in a bit).
Each Teravainen and Bertuzzi would possible not solely sustain with Bedard, but in addition discover methods to capitalize off his talent. One or each of them may simply discover themselves deployed with the younger phenom.
Blackhawks Present Veterans
Let’s not overlook about Taylor Corridor, who was introduced in to mentor Bedard final season. Sadly, a torn ACL restricted him to solely 10 video games. Now wholesome, Corridor may definitely be an choice to line up subsequent to Bedard.
Jason Dickinson is extra of a defensive ahead by commerce, however with no different choices he and Bedard constructed some chemistry in direction of the top of final season. Nick Foligno discovered success with the teen. Though, it could possibly be argued that was extra off the ice, and he was too gradual on the ice. Consider it or not, Ryan Donato and Bedard really had respectable stats collectively.
One other ahead to think about is Andreas Athanasiou, who struggled with accidents final season as nicely. He and Bedard weren’t actually deployed collectively, nevertheless it could possibly be an choice head coach Luke Richardson explores. In any case, Athanasiou’s pace could possibly be an enormous asset.
Blackhawks Children & the Future
It may not occur immediately, however why not let Bedard unfastened with these that may most definitely be his future linemates when the Blackhawks are again in playoff competition? I communicate right here of Kurashev, who discovered essentially the most success with Bedard final season. He’s solely 24 years previous, and will have a protracted profession forward of him with the Blackhawks. Is he nonetheless prime line materials on a extra proficient workforce?
Lukas Reichel struggled final season, leading to him dropping an entire lot of confidence. However he has the elite expertise to hold with Bedard. It definitely would profit Reichel to be paired with Bedard, however can the latter show to the teaching workers he deserves that spot?
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Frank Nazar has the talent, and the spit and vinegar, to challenge right into a top-six designation. Nevertheless it is perhaps too early in his growth to make the workforce. Colton Dach additionally has a lot potential. However can he put all of it collectively to get a shot on the NHL stage this season?
Make no mistake; who earns the opposite two spots on a line with Bedard is an enormous story.
Blackhawks Defensive Corps: Will It Embrace Korchinski & Kaiser?
Let’s begin with what we all know and take it from there. Seth Jones and Alex Vlasic have established themselves as the highest pairing. Vlasic had a breakout 2023-24 season, and all indicators level to a continued optimistic trajectory transferring ahead. Jones is a workhorse that eats up heavy minutes, whereas taking over the opponent’s prime competitors in all conditions.
Past that, there are questions on how the remainder of the defensive lineup will pan out. Connor Murphy has struggled with accidents, however is coming into coaching camp wholesome. He ought to be a strong veteran presence on both the second or third pairing. The identical applies to newly acquired Alec Martinez. One other new addition on protection, T.J. Brodie, will possible match on the third defensive pairing. Or, he may turn into the seventh defenseman if one other prospect or two proves worthy of a spot.
20-year-old Kevin Korchinski performed with the Blackhawks most of final season, primarily as a result of he wasn’t eligible for the AHL Rockford IceHogs resulting from Canadian Hockey League guidelines. This 12 months he is eligible to go to Rockford. Will Korchinski show he deserves a spot with the Blackhawks, or would a while in Rockford do him good? That is possible the largest storyline on the defensive facet, as a result of that call will decide how numerous different issues play out.
Even counting Korchinski as a part of the lineup, that also solely accounts for six spots, and a workforce normally carries seven defensemen. That means no less than one or two prospects need to shot to make the workforce. 22-year-old Wyatt Kaiser looks as if a shoo-in, contemplating he performed in 32 video games final season, and appeared extraordinarily improved in his final stint with the membership on the finish of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
Isaak Phillips performed in 33 video games final season, and Louis Crevier performed in 24, giving them a leg up over a few of the youthful competitors. However don’t rely out Ethan Del Mastro (two video games final season) and Nolan Allan, who each possible have the next ceiling than Phillips or Crevier. Will probably be enjoyable to look at who rises to the highest throughout coaching camp.
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Sidenote: The Blackhawks second general choice within the 2024 Draft, Artyom Levshunov, is sidelined with a proper foot harm. He obtained a puck to the foot throughout a current skate and is anticipated to be in a strolling boot and out as much as six weeks. That will have him lacking coaching camp and even a few of the begin of the common season. On account of this unlucky timing of this harm, Levshunov will virtually definitely be sure for Rockford (which he in all probability already was) when he’s able to play.
How Will the Goaltender State of affairs Play Out?
This wouldn’t be as a lot of a storyline if newly acquired veteran goaltender Laurent Brossoit hadn’t required meniscus surgical procedure on his proper knee through the offseason. His timeline to return was given on Aug. 28 as five-to-seven weeks. That’s an unlucky approach for the Blackhawks to begin the season, contemplating the Brossoit will miss all of coaching camp and certain the start of the common season. The workforce’s first recreation is on Oct. 8 in Utah, precisely six weeks from Brossoit’s surgical procedure.
As a matter of truth, the Blackhawk’s first 4 video games are on the street. So, I wouldn’t anticipate to see Brossoit in internet till no less than Oct. 17, when the Hawks face the San Jose Sharks on the United Middle. Hopefully he gained’t have any lingering results from his harm, and the Blackhawks can have a 1A-1B tandem between Petr Mrazek and Brossoit for almost all of the season. That will be the best case situation, and would give the youthful netminders an opportunity to develop in Rockford.
Talking of which, Arvid Soderblom is anticipated to be the backup goaltender whereas Brossoit is out. He had this function all final season, however the 25-year-old simply couldn’t appear to search out his groove on the NHL stage. He solely suited up for 32 video games, posting a .879 save proportion and a 3.92 objectives towards common.
To be truthful, Soderblom didn’t precisely have an awesome protection in entrance of him. Whereas an skilled goaltender like Mrazek may deal with that slightly higher, it’s not an optimum atmosphere for a creating netminder. It was apparent that Soderblom was missing confidence because the season progressed and the losses continued so as to add up. Now, the Blackhawks ought to have a greater workforce to supply some extra assist for Soderblom. I’m certain he’s trying ahead to any begins he receives as an opportunity to redeem himself.
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That stated, don’t rely Drew Commesso out. This prime prospect is progressing nicely. He had a strong rookie season with the IceHogs in 2023-24, posting a .906 SV% and a 2.65 GAA in 38 video games (plus a .915 SV% and a couple of.57 GAA in three postseason contests). He’s additionally focusing simply as a lot on his psychological mindset as his bodily play, emulating practices utilized by different goaltenders within the league, equivalent to Jeremy Swayman and Braden Holtby.
Commesso is perhaps the long run for the Blackhawks, and he’ll possible spend many of the season honing his craft with the IceHogs. However I wouldn’t be shocked if the group offers him just a few seems with the large membership, whether or not it’s whereas Brossoit is out or at another level down the stretch.
Darkish Horses to Make the Staff at Ahead
We mentioned above how the defensive group may play out, relying on Korchinski and Kaiser proving their price, in addition to some prospects who could possibly be darkish horses to make the workforce. However the competitors is extraordinarily stiff on the ahead place, with so many veteran additions within the offseason. Nonetheless, there are just a few younger forwards who might be giving it their all in coaching camp, with the expectation to make the workforce. Let’s wrap up by referring to these kids beneath.
Frank Nazar: This is among the most definitely forwards who may make it a tough resolution for the teaching workers. He has a leg up in that he participated in three video games with the Blackhawks within the 2023-24 season, scoring his first NHL aim. He additionally has a proficient pedigree, being chosen 13th general within the 2022 Draft.
Nazar additionally impressed on the Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase, with a slower begin towards the St. Louis Blues however then heating up towards the Minnesota Wild. The 20-year-old got here out of the showcase with a aim and two assists, plus displayed numerous aggressiveness to his recreation. A robust displaying in coaching camp may doubtlessly transfer him up within the depth chart.
Colton Dach: Dach was chosen within the second spherical (62nd general) within the 2021 NHL Draft. He had excessive hopes for making the leap to the NHL after he (and fellow teammates Korchinski and Allan) gained the 2023 WHL Championship with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Sadly, accidents derailed Dach’s rookie season with the IceHogs. He performed in solely 48 video games and missed their playoff run. Nonetheless, he tallied 11 objectives and 27 factors whereas he was wholesome, trying like one of many IceHogs’ strongest gamers.
On the current showcase Dach was very bodily, doling out massive hits and fascinating in some scuffles each nights. IceHogs’ head coach Anders Sorensen believes he’s prepared for the NHL so long as he might be constant in his recreation. Dach was additionally one of many final gamers to be despatched down eventually 12 months’s coaching camp. May this be the season Dach lastly breaks into the NHL?
Landon Slaggert: This 22-year-old Notre Dame alum might be slated extra as a bottom-six ahead, in contrast to Nazar and Dach. However he’s bought that motor and regular play that would set him above a few of the different depth forwards. Slaggert joined the Blackhawks for 16 video games on the finish of final season, registering a aim and 4 factors. He scored a aim on the showcase, in addition to sporting the “A” for alternate captain.
Coincidentally, Slaggert, Nazar and Dach comprised the highest line on the showcase, indicating they’re thought extremely of by the group as being able to take that subsequent step. Every of those gamers have a official likelihood to make the workforce.
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Coaching camp ought to be thrilling for the Blackhawks as they try to navigate the subsequent step of their rebuild. How will they construct round Bedard? Will the defensive pairings embrace Korchinski and Kaiser? Is the goaltending tandem set, or are there nonetheless some questions marks in internet? And eventually, will we see just a few darkish horse candidates make the workforce?
Puck drop for the primary common season matchup is on Oct. 8 towards the Utah Hockey Membership. However many questions have to answered earlier than that in coaching camp.
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