It’s that time of year when people tend to eat a lot more than normal because of November and December holidays. There’s often a glut that may not necessarily be healthy.
Why be awkward with that glut as you enjoy good food so wear something more appropriate and comfortable with some stretch to them.
As we await final details and formal approval of the NHL season, the Blackhawks also have a glut -- specifically in the forward ranks and defense corps -- that may be unhealthy at first glance.
However, this glut could end up being beneficial depending on one particular aspect that the NHL and NHLPA are hammering out which may allow rosters to expand from 23 to 26 plus a taxi squad of four additional players.
It remains to be seen what the stipulations are for the salary cap but the idea could be a welcome feature to the regular season which is projected to be condensed to 56 games.
--
Expanded Roster
As it stands today, the Blackhawks roster looks like this without inserting any forward or blueline rookies:
Shaw - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Highmore
Janmark - Wallmark - Kampf
Carpenter - Smith
Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Seabrook
Zadorov - Boqvist
Seeler
Subban
Delia
The standard roster size is 23 players composed of 13 forwards, seven defensemen, two goalies, and one extra skater (forward or defenseman).
Right now that roster outlined above is exactly at 23 players. So where is the glut then?
With the franchise being in a youth movement, there needs to be more youth in the lineup. News fodder, media scuttlebutt, and fan gossip intimate that upwards of four or five rookies could be regulars in Chicago.
Once you factor in these youngsters, that’s where the glut becomes visible. Consider this as an example:
Suter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Janmark - Wallmark - Kampf
Hagel - Carpenter - Highmore
Smith
Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Mitchell
Zadorov - Boqvist
Seeler - Seabrook
Carlsson
Subban
Delia
Looks crowded now, right?
In a regular 82-game schedule mapped out over half a year -- and with minor league affiliates also running at full capacity -- this wouldn’t be an ideal scenario.
However, in a condensed season with 2/3 of the games played in half the time, roster expansion may be favorable to all teams.
Why could an expanded roster be an advantage?
If teams are expected to play intra-division games only and perhaps in baseball-like series of 3-4 games within a week, then having additional healthy scratches builds in the opportunity to rotate players in and out for adequate rest.
This format could actually be beneficial to the veterans as much as the youngsters, too.
With the veterans they could be more effective if they don’t have to be an everyday player whether that means sitting out every other game or after every few games.
This situation could be a boon for Brent Seabrook who is coming off multiple surgeries and itching to still be a significant contributor on the ice, not just as an off-ice mentor.
Connor Murphy and Calvin de Haan’s bodies could be preserved with maintenance days especially if they tweak their known problem areas (groin and shoulders, respectively).
For the younger players, they could log minutes to gain NHL experience while not burning out as they acclimate to NHL speed and physicality.
So let’s take a look at some considerations that may go into making roster decisions:
*
Dylan Strome: Will he be re-signed and/or traded?
*
Andrew Shaw: Will he be healthy all season?
*
Zack Smith: Ditto Shaw plus would he be traded if he does get healthy again?
*
Pius Suter: Is he the next Dominik Kahun and Dominik Kubalik?
*
Nick Seeler: Is there any point to keeping him in Chicago or just bury him in Rockford?
*
Ian Mitchell: Will he live up to the hype, even if starting with glimmers of hope amidst growing pains?
*
Lucas Carlsson: Is his NHL table ready because there’s nothing left for him to prove in the AHL?
*
Drake Caggiula & Slater Koekkoek: Could either of them be wild cards that get re-signed at the 11th hour?
*
Rookie forwards: Are any of Brandon Hagel, Phillip Kurashev, MacKenzie Entwistle, or Tim Soderlund ready for the big show?
*
Rookie defensemen: Same with Nicolas Beaudin, Chad Krys, Wyatt Kalynuk, or Alec Regula?
*
A third goalie: Is there any value in having a 3rd string goalie in Chicago? (more on this below)
--
Taxi Squad
What exactly is the taxi squad?
The taxi squad would include players who earn AHL salaries but receive the benefits of NHL players such as per diem. Also, taxi squad players practice with the NHL club but can’t play in games.
It remains to be seen what the implications are on the salary cap and whether a player can move from the taxi squad to the official roster which is usually only as an injury replacement.
Or what if, for example, Mitchell is on the Hawks roster but isn’t playing well while Carlsson is on the taxi squad. Could Carlsson be switched with Mitchell even if there is no injury?
Another thing to keep in mind is that prospects with the greatest potential to be impact players for the Hawks in the long term aren’t necessarily the players you want on the taxi squad since they would only be practicing and not play in any games whether in the NHL or AHL.
If a taxi squad is approved and according to what was just described above, who would be the candidates to fill the four slots?
My nominations would be Seeler as well as Brandon Pirri, John Quenneville, and Anton Lindholm.
This assumes, though, that teams retain the option to call up players from the AHL instead of dipping into their taxi squads in the event of injuries.
But if that’s not the case and the taxi squad takes precedent, then I would rethink my choices for the Hawks taxi squad.
--
Goalies
My preference is that the Hawks carry only two goalies on the roster and not have a third as one of the three additional players or one of the four taxi squad players.
A trio of goalies at the NHL level is unfavorable because all three get short changed on playing time during a season that is already compact.
And remember a goalie on the taxi squad would only be able to practice but not play in games. That might be fine for a veteran but not a youngster gunning for an NHL job.
Instead, that potential third goalie on the Chicago roster is better off being the starter in Rockford to get reps in games that count.
As you can tell by the rosters outlined above, my early picks are for Malcolm Subban and Collin Delia to be the Hawks goalies while Kevin Lankinen and Matt Tomkins are in net for the Hogs.
--
Indy Fuel
The season opener for the Blackhawks ECHL affiliate Indy Fuel is today against the Kansas City Mavericks which is the affiliate for the Flames.
The Fuel announced the final roster yesterday and has no Hawks prospects to track. Jake Ryczek -- a D-man and 2016 7th round draft pick -- was a camp invitee but didn’t make the cut.
This could change once the Hawks and Hogs announce and have their respective training camps. Ryczek may have a chance to be on the AHL camp roster.
Just like the Hawks, the Hogs also have a roster glut particularly at forward so some centers and wingers who don’t make it in Rockford could be southbound to Indianapolis.
--
Readers Q&A Mailbag
Calling all readers! If you have any questions you want to ask about the Blackhawks or IceHogs, please send me a private message or email me at
[email protected].
All questions will be answered and featured in an upcoming end-of-year mailbag blog to close out a whirlwind 2020. Thank you to those who have submitted questions already!
--
See you on the boards!
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»