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Spare Time

August 5, 2021, 3:17 AM ET [420 Comments]
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT

If there's any truth to the shift in the direction of the Blackhawks from rebuilding based in a youth movement to fast tracking back to contention, then there may be less spots up for grabs during training camp for last season's rookies as well as the new rookie crop.

That may not necessarily be a bad thing as youngsters like Wyatt Kalynuk, Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin, and Philipp Kurashev should have played most -- if not all -- of the past season in the AHL to better optimize their growth and fine tune their all-around games.

MacKenzie Entwistle has already spent two seasons in Rockford but last season was a short 32-game schedule. Mike Hardman played fairly well out of college but could marinate some in the minors. Brandon Hagel was the only rookie who thrived from start to finish in the NHL last year.

Thus, 2021-22 could be a chance to right that ship for each of them. It's preferred that the youth play top roles and big minutes with the IceHogs rather than platoon or even be a spare part being the 7th and 8th blueliners in the back or the 13th and 14th forwards up front.

With that in mind, where would that leave the Hawks? As the roster stands today:

DeBrincat - Dach - Kane
Nylander - Toews - Kubalik
Johnson - Strome - Hagel
Khaira - Carpenter - Connolly
Gaudette, Borgstrom

McCabe - S Jones
de Haan - Murphy
Stillman - C Jones

Fleury
Lankinen
Subban/Delia

Assuming Calvin de Haan is retained, the backline will need an experienced D-man to be the reserve player if he or someone else gets injured or ill. As mentioned earlier, it wouldn't be wise to have Kalynuk, Mitchell, or Beaudin be in an "only when needed" scenario.

There are arguments that Caleb Jones or Riley Stillman or perhaps both should be press boxed while at least one young D take their spot. If that was the case, though, they wouldn't have been coveted in the respective trades with the Oilers and Panthers to obtain them.

Who is left on the free agent market for an affordable defenseman? A few who come to mind are Thomas Hickey, Jordie Benn, Jason Demers, and Michael Stone. None are top 4 material but that's not the point. Their role would be to act as a spare part who could be an injury fill-in.

As for the forwards, there may not necessarily be a need to dip into free agency for a spare part. However, the calculus changes if Jonathan Toews can't be counted on to play regularly due to his chronic ailment and if Dylan Strome and/or Alex Nylander are shipped out of Chicago.

So if center depth needs to be bolstered, then long-time NHL pivots Travis Zajac, Tyler Bozak, Eric Staal, and Valtteri Filppula could be possible candidates to pursue as a UFA pickup on a one-year deal. But if a winger is the need, James Neal and Michael Frolik are available.

Henrik Borgstrom is an interesting case as he's no longer a rookie notching 58 games in the NHL already but isn't waiver exempt so there's a risk with sending him to the AHL for seasoning as another team could snag him in the process. He could make the Hawks roster by default.

Even though the luster may have rubbed off during his time in the Panthers organization, Borgstrom still has potential to be at least a middle 6 forward. Also, Lukas Reichel may be better off starting with the Hogs to adjust to North American ice and refine his skill package.

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Ryan Stanton

Following today's blog topic of spare parts playing key roles is yesterday's IceHogs signing of veteran Ryan Stanton to a one-year AHL contract. This is a great signing to reinstall experience to the Rockford blueline and to the team in general.

Earlier this summer, Cody Franson left Rockford after one season to join the Hershey Bears (Bruins AHL affiliate). Bringing in Stanton not only replaces that temporary loss of experience but is also an upgrade of a mentor who actually plays defense fairly well.

Stanton is primarily an AHL veteran including 3 full seasons with the Hogs from 2010-2013 as well as with 5 other AHL teams. His NHL track record pales in comparison to Franson (9 years) having played one game with each the Blackhawks and Capitals plus 2 seasons with the Canucks.

With captain Garrett Mitchell, Stanton helps to form a new leadership group for the young Hogs who not only lost Franson but also Matt Tomkins after he signed to play abroad in Sweden. They also lost Brandon Pirri but he mainly kept seats warm on the Hawks taxi squad.

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See you on the boards!

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