The offseason is lastly over for the Chicago Blackhawks! Coaching camp formally begins, with participant physicals this Wednesday, Sept. 18 and the primary follow on Thursday, Sept. 19. The primary exhibition sport would be the following Wednesday, Sept. 25, when the Blackhawks host the Detroit Pink Wings. Loads has transpired through the summer season, 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 huge storylines to observe as camp will get underway.
Who Will Be Connor Bedard’s Linemates?
That is by far the most important storyline, so we’d as nicely simply get proper to it. The Blackhawks said on the finish of final season that they needed to take the subsequent step of their rebuild. They’ve an enormous head begin with their 2023 first general draft decide, Connor Bedard. However regardless of a powerful rookie season, even Bedard struggled at instances with little or no assist round him. One man, irrespective of how gifted, 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 attempting to construct round Bedard as they decide their top-six forwards. So what are the choices? I’ll break it into three eventualities.
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 spite of everything, they’re each extremely expert veterans that can know the right way to complement this younger expertise. Bedard actually didn’t have anybody that might sustain with him final season (we’ll get to Philipp Kurashev in a bit).
Each Teravainen and Bertuzzi would probably not solely sustain with Bedard, but in addition discover methods to capitalize off his ability. One or each of them might simply discover themselves deployed with the younger phenom.
Blackhawks Current 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 might actually 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 the direction of the tip 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. Imagine 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, but it surely could possibly be an choice head coach Luke Richardson explores. In spite of everything, Athanasiou’s pace could possibly be an enormous asset.
Blackhawks Children & the Future
It won’t occur instantly, however why not let Bedard free with these that can most definitely be his future linemates when the Blackhawks are again in playoff rivalry? I communicate right here of Kurashev, who discovered probably 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 gifted crew?
Lukas Reichel struggled final season, leading to him shedding a complete lot of confidence. However he has the elite expertise to hold with Bedard. It actually 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 ability, and the spit and vinegar, to mission right into a top-six designation. However it could be too early in his improvement to make the crew. 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 a giant story.
Blackhawks Defensive Corps: Will It Embody 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 up 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 must 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 probably match on the third defensive pairing. Or, he might develop 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 as a result of Canadian Hockey League guidelines. This yr 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 probably the most important storyline on the defensive aspect, as a result of that call will decide how a whole lot of different issues play out.
Even counting Korchinski as a part of the lineup, that also solely accounts for six spots, and a crew often carries seven defensemen. Which means a minimum of one or two prospects need to shot to make the crew. 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 number of the youthful competitors. However don’t depend out Ethan Del Mastro (two video games final season) and Nolan Allan, who each probably have a better ceiling than Phillips or Crevier. It is going to 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 damage. He obtained a puck to the foot throughout a latest skate and is predicted to be in a strolling boot and out as much as six weeks. That will have him lacking coaching camp and even a number of the begin of the common season. On account of this unlucky timing of this damage, Levshunov will virtually actually be certain for Rockford (which he most likely 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 manner for the Blackhawks to begin the season, contemplating the Brossoit will miss all of coaching camp and sure the start of the common season. The crew’s first sport is on Oct. 8 in Utah, precisely six weeks from Brossoit’s surgical procedure.
As a matter of reality, the Blackhawk’s first 4 video games are on the street. So, I wouldn’t anticipate to see Brossoit in internet till a minimum of Oct. 17, when the Hawks face the San Jose Sharks on the United Middle. Hopefully he gained’t have any lingering results from his damage, and the Blackhawks can have a 1A-1B tandem between Petr Mrazek and Brossoit for almost all of the season. That will be the perfect case situation, and would give the youthful netminders an opportunity to develop in Rockford.
Talking of which, Arvid Soderblom is predicted 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 seek out his groove on the NHL stage. He solely suited up for 32 video games, posting a .879 save share and a 3.92 objectives in opposition to common.
To be truthful, Soderblom didn’t precisely have an excellent protection in entrance of him. Whereas an skilled goaltender like Mrazek might deal with that a bit higher, it’s not an optimum setting 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 crew to supply some extra assist for Soderblom. I’m certain he’s wanting ahead to any begins he receives as an opportunity to redeem himself.
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That mentioned, don’t depend 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, reminiscent of Jeremy Swayman and Braden Holtby.
Commesso could be the longer term for the Blackhawks, and he’ll probably spend a lot of the season honing his craft with the IceHogs. However I wouldn’t be stunned if the group provides him a number of 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 Crew at Ahead
We mentioned above how the defensive group would possibly play out, relying on Korchinski and Kaiser proving their value, in addition to some prospects who could possibly be darkish horses to make the crew. However the competitors is extraordinarily stiff on the ahead place, with so many veteran additions within the offseason. Nevertheless, there are a number of younger forwards who will probably be giving it their all in coaching camp, with the expectation to make the crew. Let’s wrap up by referring to these kids under.
Frank Nazar: This is without doubt one of the most definitely forwards who might 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 purpose. He additionally has a gifted pedigree, being chosen 13th general within the 2022 Draft.
Nazar additionally impressed on the Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase, with a slower begin in opposition to the St. Louis Blues however then heating up in opposition to the Minnesota Wild. The 20-year-old got here out of the showcase with a purpose and two assists, plus displayed a whole lot of aggressiveness to his sport. A robust exhibiting in coaching camp might probably 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, wanting like one of many IceHogs’ strongest gamers.
On the latest showcase Dach was very bodily, doling out huge hits and fascinating in some scuffles each nights. IceHogs’ head coach Anders Sorensen believes he’s prepared for the NHL so long as he will be constant in his sport. Dach was additionally one of many final gamers to be despatched down eventually yr’s coaching camp. Might 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 might set him above a number of the different depth forwards. Slaggert joined the Blackhawks for 16 video games on the finish of final season, registering a purpose and 4 factors. He scored a purpose 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 reliable likelihood to make the crew.
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Coaching camp must be thrilling for the Blackhawks as they try and 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 at last, will we see a number of darkish horse candidates make the crew?
Puck drop for the primary common season matchup is on Oct. 8 in opposition to the Utah Hockey Membership. However many questions must answered earlier than that in coaching camp.