The Blackhawks top 6 is unconfirmed with the fate of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and Dylan Strome still unknown. On D, Calvin de Haan, Erik Gustafsson, and maybe even the Jones Brothers are on the way out. And no goalie has taken the bull by the horns.
That leaves the bottom 6 as possibly the only given for 2022-23. More specifically the 4th line will not only have known quantities heading into training camp but also be leaned on to set the tone for how the rest of the team plays and even for helping to forge a new identity.
Reese Johnson may be the incumbent 4C and will be flanked by either any two of Boris Katchouk, Sam Lafferty, MacKenzie Entwistle, or Jujhar Khaira. Although they haven't flexed it enough yet, Philipp Kurashev and Henrik Borgstrom are too talented to be bottom sixers.
Josiah Slavin and Mike Hardman could be in the mix to make things interesting in camp. Andrei Altybarmakian and Evan Barratt are dark horses but are likely returning as young veteran leaders for the IceHogs as 3rd year forwards who bring the energy and sandpaper.
A common denominator with the aforementioned personnel is that they have it within themselves -- at varying levels -- to contribute offensively by cycling, sustaining pressure, and attacking in waves while chipping in timely goals and not shirking defensive duties.
Therein lies the rub: while there's plenty of in-house choices to field at least a killer 4th line, there needs to be consistency of execution to make an impact every shift and in every zone to stick it to the opponent whether in their side or on the scoreboard.
On the one hand, the priority for the 3rd and 4th lines should be defending and shutting down the opponent's best players. But on the other hand, while a defense-first mindset is great, it puts pressure on the top 6 to score if the bottom 6 is an offensive desert.
In an ideal world where there's finishing ability up and down the forward ranks, the 3rd line should be capable of banging in at least 10 goals per player. Then the 4th line should contribute at least 5 goals per player. More goals beyond this baseline is gravy.
Assuming that the 4th line can deliver at both ends of the rink and the 3rd line is a cut above, this would go a long way in making it tough on the opposition where they have to pick their poison rather than focus on nullifying one line then coast from there on out.
The Blackhawks need to get to the point where they have a bonafide 3rd line and a bonafide 4th line instead of settling with two 4th lines due to lack of depth. Take Lafferty for example: excellent 4th liner but not enough finish yet to be an excellent 3rd liner.
It's no secret that the system harbors very little elite forward talent beyond Lukas Reichel. A vast majority of the prospects have a 3rd line ceiling and most are fit for patrolling the 4th line at the NHL level. This isn't entirely a bad thing, though.
As previously mentioned, the Hawks need to get to the point where they can ice legit 3rd and 4th lines. As the adage goes, the teams that have the best 3rd and 4th lines in the playoffs will go far. And the team with the absolute best are Cup favorites.
The Hawks aren't there yet but the foundation may be within already and it starts with the 4th line.
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Blackhawks Notebook
General manager Kyle Davidson's press conference yesterday had a few good nuggets including a teaser that a permanent head coach will be hired by July right before the draft and a proclaimed openness to explore free agency and trade route if necessary to shore up in net.
Yet, the quote in the above tweet is the most poignant nugget as far as Davidson's stance with his two longest-standing players -- and Chicago sports icons -- and also the most telling one as far as his vision and how individual player perspectives will be considered.
It's quite laudable that Davidson drew a line in the sand and is staying resolute with the franchise direction of a rebuild. Can a rebuild happen quickly? Sure, anything is possible. But resting on laurels and trying to keep the band together breeds complacency.
Fans would love to see Toews and Kane as lifelong Blackhawks. However, letting them dictate the strategic plan for the entire franchise on and off the ice while not evolving themselves with time, age, and organizational needs isn't healthy either.
Davidson's statement that "there's definitely a place for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane moving forward" couldn't be any truer. The key inquiries are what that place is and who determines it. Players can have a say but not at the expense of commandeering the vision.
That isn't to say that what Toews and Kane want are the antithesis -- whether partially or wholly -- to a rebuild in general or the specific rebuild plan that Davidson is architecting. Rather, Davidson was hired to lead the franchise to glory again and keep it there.
Davidson seems like he would graciously welcome Toews and Kane to be a part of the rebuilding efforts and leverage their leadership, veteran experience, and champion mentality for the benefit of a refreshed era of Blackhawks hockey with a new cast of characters.
The concern, though, is whether Toews and Kane are truly on the same wavelength as Davidson in terms of the recipe for success and the requisite timeline to get from ingredients to a fully cooked product. The heart says "yes" there's unity so let's get to work.
But the head says "no" as something still seems a tad off. One way to look at how Davidson's conversations with Toews and Kane went is that he wanted to be crystal clear on his vision. There's a place for them if they're on board and can embrace this vision, too.
Otherwise, perhaps Toews and Kane are now completely aware of the set parameters to decide whether to maintain commitment to the only team they've ever played for or to cut bait sooner than later and find another perceivedly greener pasture however that's defined.
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IceHogs Notebook
As reported by Scott Powers from the Athletic, IceHogs interim head coach Anders Sorensen has hope that Ian Mitchell will be ready for Game 1 this evening after being sidelined by a wrist injury. If Mitchell is able to return, he will regain his 1st pair D spot:
Phillips - Mitchell
Kalynuk - Regula
Beaudin - Galvas
Extras: Allan, LeGuerrier, Stanton, Watson
Also, Sorensen seems doubtful that Johnson and Alex Vlasic will join the team after ending their regular season on the parent club's roster. The Hogs at least have added a power forward and another defensive defenseman in Colton Dach and Nolan Allan.
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Readers Q&A Mailbag
If you have any questions you want to ask about the offseason -- whether about who stays/who goes, the entry draft, free agency, trades, prospects, etc -- please send me a private message or email me at
[email protected].
All questions will be answered and featured in a mailbag blog due out in a week or so.
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See you on the boards!
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, NBC Sports Chicago, The Athletic Chicago
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