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Blackhawks Roster Starting to Come Together |
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The Blackhawks have begun their cuts and the 2019-20 team is starting to come together.
The team you saw on the ice for Saturday's 3-2 OT win vs. the Boston Bruins (eerrrr… Providence Bruins) is going to be close to what you see to start the season.
What's left for this preseason? Well, the Hawks have another shot to gain chemistry amongst the lineup on Wednesday vs. the Washington Capitals.
Then, the 25 or 26 man roster will head overseas to Berlin on Thursday. The Hawks are allowed the grace of a larger opening-night roster because they are heading to Europe early and need a couple of auxiliary players in case of injury.
While the "real" Blackhawks board a plane, the Rockford IceHogs will represent the organization on Saturday vs. the Boston Bruins. It will be nice to see a preview of the IceHogs and see how they fare against the Bruins – who will likely have a lot of regulars in their lineup.
The Blackhawks proper will play Berlin Eisbaren on Sunday, September 29th as their last touch up game before taking on the Philadelphia Flyers on October 4th in Prague.
Here are some more thoughts I have on the roster:
Kirby Dach – it was a great sign to see Dach skate on Friday. He's still not cleared for full practice, it's a step in the right direction. While I believe it's a long(er)-shot to stick with the team for the entire year, it still appears to me that the 3rd line centre spot is screaming his name. Colliton tried Anton Wedin there on Saturday and then there's always his favourite child David Kampf who is most likely to secure that spot. I just feel if Dach can step in and perform with Saad and Kubalik, he would really give the coaching staff a lot to think about. Next step is a full practice though, then possibly an exhibition game. It would be ideal if he could play in the Wednesday match vs. the Caps.
Alex Nylander – there has been a lot of talk about Nylander and his skill this preseason. He's been placed on a line with Toews and Kane now for a couple of games. I have been impressed with his game but to me, he's just not clicking enough with those guys. Maybe in time, they can gain more chemistry, however, I don't think I was the only one growing impatient – Colliton bumped Drake Caggiula up with his old linemates at the end of the game on Saturday. Is this foreshadowing of what's to come? Or can Nylander show he belongs with 19 and 88? I still say he makes the team and heads over to Europe, but his next exhibition game might seal his fate for what line he starts with.
Robin Lehner – well this goaltending situation is going to fun to watch all year. Lehner looked real good last night. I think this competition between Lehner and Crawford is going to be one of the best things for this Hawks team.
Overall Team Play – on paper, the Hawks should have smashed the Bruins last night. It was essentially the Providence Bruins (plus McAvoy and a few others) vs. the Chicago Blackhawks regulars. I don't think the stars were playing at 100% for Chicago but still, it was a little alarming how many shots and high-danger opportunities the Hawks gave up. I'll reserve final judgment until the real games kick off though. I think there are a lot of positives coming out of camp and if guys like Shaw, Kubalik, Nylander and possibly Dach can contribute, those are 4 net-new players that the Hawks didn't have last year.
"Surprising" Cuts – Dylan Sikura's stock has sure fallen. He has been sent down already and will continue to hone his game in Rockford. I wouldn't be shocked to see him traded at some point this year to give him an opportunity to play in the NHL with another club.
I thought Matthew Highmore did enough to stay up longer, however, I don't think we've seen the last of him. If he can stay healthy, I think Highmore plays some games with Chicago.
More Cuts – the Blackhawks have placed Philip Holm and Jacob Nilsson on waivers. This puts the team to 30 players overall.
Forwards: Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Strome, Shaw, Saad, Kampf, Kubalik, Nylander, Smith, Carpenter, Caggiula, Wedin, Perlini, Quenneville, Saarela, Dach
Defence: Keith, Gustafsson, Maatta, Seabrook, Murphy, de Haan, Koekkoek, Dahlstrom, Boqvist, Gilbert
Goaltenders: Crawford, Lehner, Delia
My Prediction – From the above, I would expect the roster to shake out something like this
Nylander – Toews – Kane
DeBrincat – Strome – Shaw
Saad – Kampf/Dach – Kubalik
Smith – Carpenter – Caggiula
Keith – Gustafsson
Maatta – Seabrook
de Haan/Koekkoek – Murphy
Crawford
Lehner
Ex: Perlini, Wedin, Koekkoek
In the above, I have Kampf/Dach vying for that 3rd line C. If Dach ends up beating the odds and making the team, I see Kampf bumping down to the 4th line.
I think Perlini will be a guy who's in and out of the lineup; same with Wedin who, in my opinion, has had a great camp and done enough to make this team. He may end up heading down to Rockford if Dach makes the team though.
Aleksi Saarela is not on my predicted opening day lineup above. He's a guy that looks destined to be sent down but it's evident he's got some NHL skills. I think if Nylander shows signs of slowing down or struggles at the NHL level, Saarela appears to have similar offensive potential and could find himself as an NHL regular at some point this season.
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Lastly, I want to say that with the NHL season around the corner, I'm excited for another season of hockey, writing and interacting with all of you fine folks.
If you've been reading here since I began as Justin Lowe, you know that I like to keep things as fun and as engaging as possible. I also tend to be more optimistic as a writer and human being.
I would like everyone to try their best to do the same. Treat people with respect and follow the code of conduct on the message boards. It's just hockey guys and girls! We need to remind ourselves that and speak to people in a way you want to be spoken to in your life.
Boy does that ever sound like I'm a Kindergarten teacher; well, that's because sometimes that's what I feel like. Let's all act like grown-ups, hockey-loving grown-ups and have some fun.
See ya out there!
TC
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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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