3 Storylines To Follow for The Chicago Blackhawks Pre-season
The 2024-2025 NHL season is close, as it's more than over a month and a half away. One team who should come into the year, with renewed and optimistic expectations will be the Blackhawks.
Who signed eight players during free-agency, and while the regular season begins on October 8th, 2024. Training camp begins on September 18th, 2024.
Could Lukas Reichel bounce back in 2024-2025?
Reichel had high expectations coming into 2023-2024, after a season where he scored 15 points in 23 games, a 53-point pace in 82 games. There was hope he'd become a main contributor to the Blackhawks, but it failed to materialize and he'd be sent to the AHL. This was after he was slotted in as 2nd line center behind Bedard, and lost his confidence along the way.
When he returned to the Blackhawks lineup after a ten-game stint in the AHL, he appeared more confident with the pucks, and while he only scored 16 points in 65 games he improved. The Blackhawks would later extend him two more years on a $1.2 Million AAV "prove it" deal. He will need to bounce back in 2024, to stay with the Blackhawks long-term.
2C
The Blackhawks will have a major decision to make down the middle, as the 2nd line center position hasn't been decided just yet. The team didn't have a true second-line center, behind phenom Connor Bedard last season. It seems reasonable to believe that Frank Nazar, Jason Dickinson, Andreas Athanasiou, and Philipp Kurashev could be front runners for the role.
Dickinson solidified himself as one of the Blackhawk's top performers, with a 22-goal season. He proved himself to be a solid two-way player and provided the team with a consistent 82-game season. He should get a look in the top six.
Frank Nazar, who scored his 1st NHL goal in his first 3 games has proven to be a great playmaker. He has two-way skills, which makes him an attractive top-six option for the team, the former 13th overall pick could be an option for the role as well.
Andreas Athanasiou and Philipp Kurashev could be placed here as well as their fit in the lineup is currently unknown. Given Kurashev's chemistry with Bedard, we're unsure if he's a fit. Athanasiou had good chemistry with Lukas Reichel on the third line, and if he shows up to camp with a great performance could see him on the 2nd line.
Defense
The Blackhawk's defensive depth is strong and have quite a few prospects who could impress at training camp, and ultimately secure a spot on the lineup.
Alex Vlasic made the team last season, and many others like Ethan Del Mastro could find their way into the lineup if they have a good showing.
Wyatt Kaiser and Nolan Allen, could ultimately surprise us all and find a spot on the NHL roster.
Kaiser started the season with the Blackhawks but would later be sent down and play 37 games in Rockford before being sent back up to the NHL. Kaiser will need to prove himself consistent this season to stay in the NHL.
All the while the Blackhawks have vowed to improve the lineup, and they did so signing TJ Brodie and Alec Martinez to shore up the blueline.
They will not be able to play every day and should give young players, a shot at the lineup whenever they can.
Ethan Del Mastro is another prospect who got a shot in the NHL after proving himself to be one of the best rookies in Rockford. He was an AHL All-Star and has a strong two-way game, which of course, coaches love.
Nolan Allen should be in the fight for a spot on the team, as he wasn't sent down to the AHL till the very end of camp. He had a great showing in the AHL last season and proved himself to be a reliable defenseman he will likely make a Blackhawks decision at the end of September difficult.
Source: BlackhawkUp
3 storylines to follow for the Chicago Blackhawks during training camp
| POLL | ||
AOUT 19 | 54 ANSWERS 3 Storylines To Follow for The Chicago Blackhawks Pre-season Who will make the Blackhawks roster out of camp? | ||
| Ethan Del Mastro | 26 | 48.1 % |
| Nolan Allen | 10 | 18.5 % |
| Wyatt Kaiser | 18 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
