As the Blackhawks hit the ice tonight for the first time this year in the United Center, they’ll embark on a new season in which no one truly knows what will happen on a nightly basis. Will this team be in the running for the first overall pick? Will they finish middle-of-the-pack? Or - just a thought - could they find themselves in the playoff picture? Maybe we won’t get that bold, though we’ve seen some great things from young Blackhawks throughout training camp. As the team begins preseason action, there are a few big storylines to watch that could affect the results of the Blackhawks’ upcoming season in a major way.
Defensive Jumble
With all the hype surrounding the Blackhawks’ offensive unit going into the season, it’s important to keep in mind that the defensive lines may hamper the team’s success at times. Even on the top line, which is expected to feature a tandem of Wyatt Kaiser and Seth Jones, there are significant questions. Though Kaiser appears ready to be a full-time NHLer, he’s still completely unproven, with plenty of pressure to perform as one of the top blueliners. Kevin Korchinski is currently featured on the second line, but it’s unclear as to whether he’ll even play in the NHL this year. If he does, the tandem of him and Connor Murphy could be fun to watch. The third line is a complete mess at this point in the preseason, with four to five guys vying for two spots. Will Jarred Tinordi and Nikita Zaitsev be able to hold onto their starting spots? Will Filip Roos, Alex Vlasic, or Isaak Phillips eventually make a run? From top to bottom, the defensive lines in Chicago will certainly be a storyline to keep an eye on as the season develops.
Changing Culture
As we touched on Tuesday, this Blackhawks team just feels different - in a good way. That starts with Connor Bedard, but the culture of this entire group truly feels special. A bundle of new, young skaters are getting their first shot at being full-time NHL players, and couldn’t be more excited. Meanwhile, a handful of older (yet still exceptionally talented) veterans have taken over leadership roles, helping the whole roster to have fun while blossoming into a highly competitive group. They’re having lots of fun on the ice, and it shows.
Will their off-ice camaraderie translate to their game when the regular season rolls around? For now, it’s too early to tell. But if this group can click as well on the ice, Chicago could definitely surprise some naysayers.
Connor Bedard, Of Course!
Did you think we’d get through talking about storylines to watch this year without a mention of the “future of hockey”? Never. Bedard is different - we’ve seen the highlights, watched the interviews, and heard countless stories of plays he makes that shouldn’t even be possible. His ceiling is practically limitless, and there’s no doubt he’ll be a treat to watch this year.
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that Connor Bedard is just 18 years old. On top of that, the NHL is a bit different from the WHL, where he dominated last year. We can expect there to be some sort of adjustment period, but how long will it take before Bedard is among the best of the best? Some might argue that he’s already there, but fans may have to be a bit patient as Bedard adjusts to the speed and physical toll of the NHL. Even if that’s the case, this year should be a memorable one thanks to Bedard.
Hockey is a game of storylines, and perhaps no team has more of them this year than the young Blackhawks. With so many unproven players in new roles and with high expectations, we’re bound to be surprised one way or another.
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