The Blackhawks are in Nashville for their afternoon battle with the Predators as the war continues for 4th place in the Central Division. The Hawks are then off until Tuesday when they host the Stars.
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Game Day
Game 39, April 3: Blackhawks @ Predators 2:00pm CST
Records: Blackhawks, 17-16-5, 39 Pts (5th) Predators, 19-18-1, 39 Pts (4th)
Season Series: 0-2-2
Goals For/Game: Blackhawks, 2.82 (16th) Predators, 2.45 (27th)
Goals Against/Game: Blackhawks, 3.08 (22nd) Predators, 2.97 (18th)
Power Play: Blackhawks, 31-116, 26.7% (3rd) Predators, 23-113, 20.4% (17th)
Penalty Kill: Blackhawks, 81-109, 74.3% (27th) Predators, 88-122, 72.1% (31st)
For Nashville, Matt Duchene, Brad Richardson, Ryan Ellis, and Luca Sbisa are on IR. Also, the Hawks have one player (Brandon Hagel) on the NHL COVID-19 Protocol List while the Preds don't have any.
The Predators projected lineup (per DailyFaceoff.com):
Tolvanen - Johansen - Arvidsson Jarnkrok - Granlund - Kunin Grimaldi - Haula - Cousins Trenin - Sissons - Olivier
Josi - Fabbro Ekholm - Carrier Harpur - Benning
Saros Rinne
Also available: Filip Forsberg (W), Michael McCarron (W), Rem Pitlick (C), Mark Borowiecki (D), Jeremy Davies (D), David Farrance (D), Tyler Lewington (D), Kasimir Kaskisuo (G).
Forsberg is a shoo-in to play if he is ready to go; otherwise, the lineup above is probably who the Hawks face in today's matinee.
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Roster Updates
COVID-19 Protocol List
Forward Brandon Hagel (COVID-19 Protocol) will not practice today.#Blackhawks https://t.co/WYKaWMNMhe
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021
Taxi Squad
ROSTER MOVES: Forwards Brandon Pirri and Mikael Hakkarainen and defenseman Alec Regula were re-assigned to the taxi squad and forwards Reese Johnson and MacKenzie Entwistle and defensemen Nicolas Beaudin, Ian Mitchell and Lucas Carlsson were re-assigned to Rockford.#Blackhawks
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021
Same deal for MacKenzie Entwistle and Reese Johnson as it's assumed Matthew Highmore is in for Hagel. Philipp Kurashev is reportedly on the taxi squad but that's temporary due to yesterday's trade (see next).
Vincent Hinostroza
Illinois’ own returns home!
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021
Forward Vinnie Hinostroza has been acquired in exchange for forward Brad Morrison. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/uyGSlzKw6r
Hinostroza will be an unrestricted free agent this summer while Brad Morrison wasn't in the long-term plans for the Hawks. Therefore, the trade is a wash not counting the $250,000 extra Hinostroza earns.
With Hinostroza in the fold, the Hawks gain veteran leadership in Rockford and an experienced winger to play in Chicago if needed. He's a known quantity with his speed, work ethic, and compete level.
David Kampf
Fun shootout drill to end practice. David Kampf- yes Kampf - with the winner. Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat’s team loses. pic.twitter.com/k23cR02ACl
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) April 2, 2021
Kampf is a stellar 4th line center and defensive specialist with his shutdown ability and faceoff prowess. It's one thing to slot him higher due to depleted depth but it's another when that depth is improved.
Dylan Strome and Kirby Dach are both back from concussion protocol and wrist rehab, respectively. Carl Soderberg has been a given at center. Lucas Wallmark, Pius Suter, and Kurashev can play pivot.
That's a half dozen options to fill 3 center spots in the top 9. So what's the reasoning to continue penciling in Kampf as the 2nd line center? The short-term fix is no longer necessary, right?
Let's pretend that Colliton agrees. Consider this for forward lines (without Hagel):
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Suter - Strome - Kubalik Janmark - Soderberg - Kurashev Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter
Now consider these lines with Hagel:
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Hagel - Strome - Kubalik Suter - Soderberg - Kurashev Janmark - Kampf - Carpenter
Hinostroza's acquisition doesn't necessarily mean he's an automatic starter. Also, barring more injury or illness, Wallmark likely doesn't play again unless Suter and/or Kurashev significantly regresses.
Those are just a few ideas but other iterations -- ones that have Kampf properly in place as 4C -- are worth exploring. Of course, the calculus changes if there are any additional trades on the horizon.
For instance, if Janmark is shipped out:
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Hagel - Strome - Kubalik Suter - Soderberg - Kurashev Hinostroza - Kampf - Carpenter
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Rockford Updates
The IceHogs play the Wolves tonight at 7:00pm CST at Hoffman Estates before being idle until Wednesday when both teams lock horns again in Rockford. Next weekend the Hogs are on the road versus the Griffins.
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Prospect Updates
Earlier in the week it was reported that forward prospect Jake Wise has left Boston University and entered the transfer portal. According to recent reports, he has found a new home at the Ohio State University.
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See you on the boards!