Justin Lowe: Will He Make the Team: Blake Hillman
As I re-watched the last 5 games of the Blackhawks season last year, I was focusing on each shift by Dylan Sikura for my last "Will He Make the Team" blog.

However, I was drawn to the play of another newcomer that laced them up on the backend for 4 games at the end of the year as well. I watched a 22-year old defenceman play like he was a 10-year vet out there. It was the confident and solid 2-way play of Blake Hillman.

Justin Lowe: Will He Make the Team: Blake Hillman

As I re-watched the last 5 games of the Blackhawks season last year, I was focusing on each shift by Dylan Sikura for my last "Will He Make the Team" blog.

However, I was drawn to the play of another newcomer that laced them up on the backend for 4 games at the end of the year as well. I watched a 22-year old defenceman play like he was a 10-year vet out there. It was the confident and solid 2-way play of Blake Hillman.
- Justin Lowe

For some reason, the only thing i remember about him was the goal he scored. I watched the games he played, but of everything, I remember where i was when he scored. I dont know why it resonated with me like that.

For some reason, the only thing i remember about him was the goal he scored. I watched the games he played, but of everything, I remember where i was when he scored. I dont know why it resonated with me like that.
- BlazinMike

That's a good sign if you don't remember any big gaffs in the d-zone. ha.

He played confident and steady. I don't remember being that impressed with his smarts and positioning at the time.

Justin fantastic blog. I'm hoping Hillman and Joki,,, both make the team right out of training camp.
IF Hillman has a strong camp would you envision Stan making a trade of 1 of their defenseman to free up a spot ? If so who might be the odd man out ?

Another great Blog Justin.

Hillman will be a call-up. He will get some run later in the year.

At least, that's my call. lol

Justin fantastic blog. I'm hoping Hillman and Joki,,, both make the team right out of training camp.
IF Hillman has a strong camp would you envision Stan making a trade of 1 of their defenseman to free up a spot ? If so who might be the odd man out ?
- Taylorst1

Thanks Taylor.

I'm not sure we want both Hillman and Joki making the team out of camp. That puts a lot of pressure on these kids and stress on the vets (Keith and Seabs) to carry them through their ups-and-downs.

I personally would like to see just 1 of them make it.

However... IF they play lights out and the team is better with them both on it. Then we could see someone like Gustafsson, Rutta or Murphy moved. Maybe Forsling later in the season when he comes back.

Another great Blog Justin.

Hillman will be a call-up. He will get some run later in the year.

At least, that's my call. lol
- hawk35

Thanks Hawk35. I am in this boat as well and will be excited when he gets called up.

I would love to add any sort of stability back there and if a little bit of extra help comes in the form of a 22 year old... then so be it. The guys plays bigger and older than his profile card.

I think Hillman is one that is going to fit right in. He is Q's kind of guy and he played the way Q likes, the "steady" and "safe" plays. I think he will scratch the TVR itch for Q and will make the team.

If he only wore #4 sigh....

Great Blog Justin!! Keep up the great work!!!

Coming attractions - who is next in your theme of Will he make the team? i assume you have a few more?

See ya out there!!!!

Darth put it succinctly that Hillman won't start the season with the Hawks but will end the season on the team. When he gets recalled is up in the air.

Whenever that happens and assuming Jokiharju is already on the team, I agree that either Murphy, Gustafsson, or Rutta is traded to make room.

My guess is the same - that Hillman won't make the team out of camp but will be a call-up at some point.

Here's the thing - I think there's a tendency for the "new shiny object" to capture our attention and by so doing we run the risk of dismissing the other guys prematurely. This could be the case for Rutta. Yes, he's older than a rookie usually is, but it was his rookie year in the NHL last season and he wasn't bad. There is a real possibility that he plays better this season if given the chance. The dilemma is how to give him the consistent time he would need to show improvement with also trying to give Joki time (with Seabrook and Murphy being locked in).

No need to rush him, some time at the Rock before
coming up works well.

According to this the window is closed

https://thehockeynews.com...-windows-central-division

WINDOW CLOSED: Chicago Blackhawks

Give GM Stan Bowman a round of applause. He navigated angry salary-cap seas for years and helped the Hawks win three Stanley Cups in the Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews/Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook/Marian Hossa era. Chicago propped its Cup window open for longer than most teams do. But Hossa is retired, Keith is in his mid-30s, Seabrook was a healthy scratch at one point last year, and goalie Corey Crawford has career-threatening concussion concerns. The Blackhawks, their depth on defense stripped bare, missed the playoffs for the first time since Joel Quenneville took over as coach in 2008-09.

The Blackhawks will now look to build around Alex DeBrincat, who led them in goals as a rookie, while preparing for a new era on defense with Adam Boqvist and Henri Jokiharju. They’d probably be better off missing the playoffs than making them this year, as they could use another top-end prospect to form their next foundation. That would get them on track to reopening the Cup window a few years from now.

No need to rush him, some time at the Rock before
coming up works well.

According to this the window is closed

https://thehockeynews.com...-windows-central-division

WINDOW CLOSED: Chicago Blackhawks

Give GM Stan Bowman a round of applause. He navigated angry salary-cap seas for years and helped the Hawks win three Stanley Cups in the Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews/Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook/Marian Hossa era. Chicago propped its Cup window open for longer than most teams do. But Hossa is retired, Keith is in his mid-30s, Seabrook was a healthy scratch at one point last year, and goalie Corey Crawford has career-threatening concussion concerns. The Blackhawks, their depth on defense stripped bare, missed the playoffs for the first time since Joel Quenneville took over as coach in 2008-09.

The Blackhawks will now look to build around Alex DeBrincat, who led them in goals as a rookie, while preparing for a new era on defense with Adam Boqvist and Henri Jokiharju. They’d probably be better off missing the playoffs than making them this year, as they could use another top-end prospect to form their next foundation. That would get them on track to reopening the Cup window a few years from now.
- gazza53

I'm not drinking the Hawk Kool-Aid, but aren't these the same guys who said the Knights would be at the bottom of the league, and Washington would only make it a round or two, Nashville was goin to mow through the Western Conf etc.

I get it, people like to make (and read) predictions before a season starts to get conversation and excitement going, but there is a lot of changeover every year, and no one knows how it will play out until they get on the ice.

We could just as easily see Gustafsson, and Rutta play lights out and stabilize the back-end (all about experience), as we could see a repeat (or worse) of last year. Everything I read is that most if not all of the team is busting their butts trying to improve their games for next year.

Not that anyone cares, but I can't stand it when people talk about "windows" and "the core". continually find and develop good players (and move on from players that no longer provide value) and you don't have to worry about windows.

I'm not drinking the Hawk Kool-Aid, but aren't these the same guys who said the Knights would be at the bottom of the league, and Washington would only make it a round or two, Nashville was goin to mow through the Western Conf etc.

I get it, people like to make (and read) predictions before a season starts to get conversation and excitement going, but there is a lot of changeover every year, and no one knows how it will play out until they get on the ice.

We could just as easily see Gustafsson, and Rutta play lights out and stabilize the back-end (all about experience), as we could see a repeat (or worse) of last year. Everything I read is that most if not all of the team is busting their butts trying to improve their games for next year.

Not that anyone cares, but I can't stand it when people talk about "windows" and "the core". continually find and develop good players (and move on from players that no longer provide value) and you don't have to worry about windows.
- Chunk

Nice post

In my opinion a stay at home guy like Hillman is just as important as the best puck moving D man for the success of the team. Holds the fort while the offensive D man does his thing. If this guy pans out he could be the next anchor on the D side. Give him adequate time in Rockford cuz he figures to be important down the line.

I'm not drinking the Hawk Kool-Aid, but aren't these the same guys who said the Knights would be at the bottom of the league, and Washington would only make it a round or two, Nashville was goin to mow through the Western Conf etc.

I get it, people like to make (and read) predictions before a season starts to get conversation and excitement going, but there is a lot of changeover every year, and no one knows how it will play out until they get on the ice.

We could just as easily see Gustafsson, and Rutta play lights out and stabilize the back-end (all about experience), as we could see a repeat (or worse) of last year. Everything I read is that most if not all of the team is busting their butts trying to improve their games for next year.

Not that anyone cares, but I can't stand it when people talk about "windows" and "the core". continually find and develop good players (and move on from players that no longer provide value) and you don't have to worry about windows.
- Chunk

And that's why they play 82 games to win 16 in the greatest sport on earth.

Justin, thank you for pointing out the fact that Hillman has the capacity to play both LHD and RHD. That can't be underestimated for both the Hawks and him. For the team, that gives Q lineup options and flexibility.

For Hillman, it's all about job security especially given the D prospect depth. The big 3 in Jokiharju, Boqvist, and Mitchell are all RHD. The LHD prospects, though, are no slouches either with Krys, Beaudin, Carlsson, and even Gilbert leading the pack. Not all of these prospects will make it, of course, and that could include Boqvist or even Jokiharju and Mitchell for that matter. And if the LHD prospects turn out to be better NHL players than the RHD prospects, that's where Hillman's ability to play either side would benefit him.

Hillman already has a leg up in that he provides a rare skillset in the system: playing a physical defense-first style. His stock and job security are much greater with that style plus flexibility to play left or right.

Also, in case you missed it yesterday. I was told the following:


UPDATE: I just heard the Hawks are entertaining bringing Troy Brouwer back on a 1-year deal.

Also, Stan is re-engaging on some trade talks so it's possible he goes that route or brings Brouwer back on at least a PTO.

A Manning-Seabrook pair....

Someone is looking for a top pick this year. My prays are with you all.

I hope the young players do well , and get a chance to play . But I still believe the Elephant in the room is who is behind the bench .. And needed to be addressed two years ago . I know it is old news coming from me . I respect everything Joel has accomplished and brought to this team . I hope I am proven wrong ( sure would not be the 1st time ) and the team rebounds to playoff contention with Coach Q behind the bench .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Manning-Seabrook pair....

Someone is looking for a top pick this year. My prays are with you all.
- Glak18

I Thank you for your interest in our team ,it seems you may be a bit concerned that Manning may be the one that got away .Anyway HAWKS got him for nothing ,remember Patrick Sharp

Also, in case you missed it yesterday. I was told the following:


UPDATE: I just heard the Hawks are entertaining bringing Troy Brouwer back on a 1-year deal.

Also, Stan is re-engaging on some trade talks so it's possible he goes that route or brings Brouwer back on at least a PTO.
- Justin Lowe

If the return of Brouwer plays out, the initial thought is for him to play bottom 6. But would he be seen as an option to play top 6 with Toews? I'm not advocating for that by any means since I'd rather see DeBrincat, Sikura, and/or Kahun to have that chance but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Brouwer is RW on Toews' line.

If bottom 6, I would imagine Brouwer and Hayden are the RWs on lines 3 and 4 (interchangeably).

However, if top 6, maybe something like:

DeBrincat - Toews - Brouwer
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - Sikura
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden

Don't really like that as there's no playmaker on the 1st line (not to mention who knows what's left in Brouwer's tank), even if you swap DeBrincat and Saad in the top 6 RW slots. Toews would thrive more if he has a shooter and a playmaker.

Hillman should be good enough to make the team but will probably start out in Rockford .... not for lack of talent, but numbers game. Some time in Rockford should allow him to hone his game and possibly be called up later in the year

If the return of Brouwer plays out, the initial thought is for him to play bottom 6. But would he be seen as an option to play top 6 with Toews? I'm not advocating for that by any means since I'd rather see DeBrincat, Sikura, and/or Kahun to have that chance but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Brouwer is RW on Toews' line.

If bottom 6, I would imagine Brouwer and Hayden are the RWs on lines 3 and 4 (interchangeably).

However, if top 6, maybe something like:

DeBrincat - Toews - Brouwer
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - Sikura
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden


Don't really like that as there's no playmaker on the 1st line (not to mention who knows what's left in Brouwer's tank), even if you swap DeBrincat and Saad in the top 6 RW slots. Toews would thrive more if he has a shooter and a playmaker.
- AEL_Fox

👍👍👍He doesn’t have to be the go to guy, if he is on the cheap and could provide a little of what they’re missing so be it, it leaves one more kid a chance to develop a little bit longer down in Rockford. I don’t think Troy Brower would hurt at all