Training Camp Preview — Chicago BlackHawks

Class of the Central Division for much of the last decade, the Chicago BlackHawks will open the doors on its 2017-18 NHL Training Camp with some definite adjustments to be made.

The Hawks open camp on Friday (Sept. 15) with 57 players – 32 forwards; 19 Defense and six goaltenders on the opening day rosters.

In the past, the Hawks have bolstered its lineup with mid-season or trade deadline deals for talent to push it over the top. That has worked well with three Stanley Cups in the past decade but the downside to moves like those often is a sub-standard roster of prospects as many big names go in deals for the veteran needed.

If that was an issue for the Hawks, a championship win at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament seems to indicate that problem is in the rearview mirror. The Hawks boasted a younger than usual roster last season with several rookies and the door is open this fall again following some off season moves and the unfortunate departure for at least a season by Marian Hossa, due to injury.

Forwards

Last season the top six forwards on most nights included: Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov, Artemi Panarin, Jonathan Toews, Hossa and Richard Panik.

Only four of them are back, but it seems Brandon Said, who returns in the Panarin deal should be included in one of those spots.

Could Patrick Sharp, also back in town, having signed as a free agent over the summer move back into a familiar position? While not out of the question, it seems a bit of a stretch for the 35-year-old forward who scored just eight goals with Dallas last season.

How about Ryan Hartman, a 23-year-old forward who collected 31 points with the Hawks last year? He is next best bet on a stats sheet that sees four defensemen among the top 10 points last season.

Ultimately, that spot could go to Alex DeBrincat who dominated at the junior level with three straight 100-plus point seasons in the OHL. Technically, the 19-year-old Farmington Hills, MI native is eligible to return for another junior season, but he has done everything possible at that level already. The young gun may be headed to Rockford for grooming but he turned in a solid effort at the Traverse City camp and that should garner him a good look with the Hawks.

Defense

The steady blueline may have been affected over the off season as top four d-man Niklas Hjalmarsson will suit up with the Coyotes this season and late season pick up/returner Johnny Oduya, a shut-down specialist, will be in Ottawa. Trevor Van Riemsdyk was plucked by the Vegas Golden Knights at the Expansion Draft.

Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are among the best in the league, but offensively there is a steep drop off after that.

Mark Stuart has been added from the Winnipeg Jets and Cody Franson comes in from Buffalo while Gustav Forsling, Michal Kempny and Michal Roszival will be looking to increase their roles with the team.

Also, Jordan Oesterle who split time between Bakersfield of the AHL and Edmonton of the NHL last season is a possibility along with Rockford regulars, Carl Dahlstom, Robin Norell and Ville Pokka and Jan Rutta, from Czech Republic.

Perhaps most interesting at camp will be Darren Raddysh, a 21-year-old prospect who put up 81 points (16 g, 65a) as a teammate to DeBrincat at Erie last season. It’s tough for defense to make the jump directly from junior to the NHL, so he is likely headed to Rockford for at least a season, but that is far from carved in stone and he couldn’t have picked a better season to get a look at camp.

Goaltenders

There is certainly no argument on the number one here – Corey Crawford has that spot locked down. But the trade of back up Scott Darling sets up what should be an exciting duel and a tough choice for management.

JF Berube last season split time between Bridgeport of the AHL and the New York Islanders while Anton Forsberg did the same between Cleveland and Columbus.

The Hawks begin pre-season play on Tuesday (Sept. 19) at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets and will play a half-dozen games, home-and-home sets with the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Bruins, before opening the regular season on Oct. 5 against the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.