Connor Bedard forces the Chicago Blackhawks to make multiple tough decisions
With the moves the Chicago Blackhawks and GM Kyle Davidson made, they look like a completely different team. They have a much improved team, after acquiring a defenseman, five forwards, and a goalie.
The point was to push the rebuild forward and to start competing, as they added Tyler Bertuzzi, Ilya Mikheyev, Teuvo Teraveinen, and depth forward Craig Smith.
This will help create competition at camp and the beginning of the season, as Kyle Davidson hopes, in the midst of crowded ranks, the best players will separate themselves from the rest.
Top-Six
There are however groups of players who are likely to be locked into positions, such as the top-six in the lineup.
These groups are veterans and forwards who are proven producers in the NHL, sign contracts with term, and obviously brought in to help Connor Bedard in his sophomore season in the NHL.
Those could be Tyler Bertuzzi, Taylor Hall, Phillip Kurashev, and Teuvo Teraveinen. Of course, this list is missing Connor Bedard, as he is assumed to be the face of the franchise and top center. While we could see Kurashev alongside Bedard after a breakout season last year, he will have to compete to keep from losing his spot to Teuvo Teraveinen.
Teuvo Teraveinen, however, is a shoo-in for the top-six, as a proven forward and 1-time Stanley Cup winner. It's assumed he'll get great usage on ice, along with Bertuzzi who played top-line minutes with Auston Matthews last season.
Bottom-Six
Those in the bottom six proved to be great assets last year, of which we can expect to see Joey Anderson a lock, as he along with Colin Blackwell and Jason Dickinson proved to be one of the Blackhawk's best lines in 2023-2024. Ryan Donato will be a staple in the bottom six, as a Swiss army knife, he's been used in the top-line building chemistry with Bedard but has found his spot in the Blackhawks as a depth forward.
Pat Maroon and Craig Smith were brought in purely as bottom-six forwards, obviously to check and create chaos, and if need be protect Bedard. While they are likely to start in the bottom six, they could lose their opportunity if they don't play well enough.
Unknown Placements
Forwards like Lukas Richel, Andreas Athanasiou, Ilya Mikheyev, Nick Foligno, and Jason Dickinson will have the benefit of flexibility in the lineup.
Reichel has the most to lose, as someone who had trouble finding his game in the last season. He will be given the chance to succeed, or likely be waived as the competition on their roster just got tougher.
Athanasiou will have something to prove after being out a significant amount of time after an injury from last season. He can play with Kurashev and Reichel and has the speed but he has been inconsistent. Can he manage to make the team? If so, will he be relegated to a depth role? Depends if he can put it together.
Dickinson is more of a shutdown forward but has shown glimpses of offensive brilliance in 2023-2024. Many have him locked in at 2nd line center, after scoring 35 points(22 G, 13 A) and putting up career numbers. Could he be shifted up or down the lineup to suit his newfound success?
Foligno will undoubtedly have to find a new spot in the lineup, as many players added were top-six forwards. Will Foligno be relegated to the bottom six, as the mentorship continues on the bench instead of on the ice? With all the new options, it's hard to see Foligno in the top six anymore.
Dark Horse Candidates
Could Frank Nazar, Colton Dach or Landon Slaggert be an option for the team? Nazar is touted as the future cornerstone of the team and a possible 2nd line center option behind Bedard. Drafted 13th overall in 2022, Nazar impressed in his 3-game stint in the NHL, scoring his 1st goal on his first NHL shot.
Source: Yardbarker
Blackhawks Have Decisions to Make with Crowded Forward Group
| POLL | ||
Who do you think will be a key forward for the Blackhawks in 2024? | ||
| Jason Dickinson | 15 | 21.1 % |
| Andreas Athanasiou | 15 | 21.1 % |
| Lukas Reichel | 14 | 19.7 % |
| Taylor Hall | 27 | 38 % |
| List of polls | ||
