Training camp is finally here!
Yesterday the Blackhawks performed physicals on all players during this first day which was restricted to off-ice activities for all teams who played in the 2020 postseason.
On-ice activities commence today. Like past training camps, there will be a combination of testing, weight training, video viewing, strategy meetings, drills, and scrimmages.
However, just like during mini camp after the pandemic hiatus from late March through late July, there could be more scrimmages this training camp due to no preseason games.
--
Camp Activities
If there are any noteworthy clips of drills, I will add them on the message board and on the blog's main page. Each post will include the video plus any commentary.
There are a few things to keep in mind with drills. On the one hand, it can be difficult to evaluate players on drills since most players execute them fairly well.
Also, most players can easily hustle for the brief duration of each drill. Yet, what may start setting players apart are foot speed, shot accuracy, and compete level.
On the other hand, extra effort on drills by players who are known to exhibit low to moderate compete level in games can help open the eyes of the coaches and management.
Additionally, the same could be said if a player had certain glaring weaknesses in the past but may now show consistent and marked improvement in relevant drills.
Nonetheless, work ethic and competitiveness will be hallmarks of what to watch for in camp. They can help rookies, young starters, and fringe players try to stand out.
In contrast, a few years ago during prospect camp, Nick Schmaltz executed drills just fine but didn't exude much drive and seemed to be gassed after each one.
So making a good impression is always key, of course. Whether it was an issue of motivation and/or conditioning, Schmaltz's performance was a bit discouraging.
Beyond the drills, hopefully the scrimmages will be aired via live streaming on the Blackhawks website.
--
Dylan Strome
Even with camp underway, the biggest news of 2021 so far is Dylan Strome re-signing with the Hawks for two years at $3M AAV ($2.4M this season then $3.6M next season).
Strome brings more offensive talent to the center corps that is by large a logjam of bottom 6 pivots with a few that could play spot duty in the top 6 if necessary.
While anything can happen -- especially with Jeremy Colliton as head coach -- the starting centers are likely Strome, Carl Soderberg, Lucas Wallmark, and David Kampf.
There are many other forwards who can act as spare centers if need be. Philipp Kurashev, MacKenzie Entwistle, and Reese Johnson are rookie centers to monitor, too.
--
Zack Smith
Zack Smith was once questionable for the season but is now healthy. However, he may be a taxi squad candidate or perhaps a veteran presence in Rockford with Cody Franson.
--
Goalie Battle
Besides seeing which rookies surprise in camp, arguably the most anticipated battle will be for the starting and backup roles between the pipes.
Malcom Subban and Collin Delia seem to be front runners according to many Blackhawks pundits. Kevin Lankinen isn't a distant third, though, and can make it a three-horse race.
Either way, they are the likely Hawks tending trio with two on the active roster and the third on the taxi squad. The NHL requires each team to carry three goalies.
Then there's Matt Tomkins. Over the past two seasons, he has shown the most graduated improvement going from ECHL starter to earning his first NHL contract last January.
While he may be hard pressed to crack the roster, Tomkins would have a nice consolation prize being the Hogs starter and next up if Subban, Delia, or Lankinen get hurt.
--
Camp Roster
At the time of writing, the official camp roster has not yet been released. Regardless, it is pretty predictable save for rookie spots that could go to a mix of prospects.
Each NHL team can have a camp roster that is composed of up to 36 skaters and an unlimited number of goaltenders. On the last blog I made an educated guess on the roster.
That prognostication is updated below adding in Strome and Smith while subtracting Andrei Altybarmakian and Evan Barratt.
Centers (5)
* David Kampf
* Brandon Pirri
* Carl Soderberg
* Dylan Strome
* Lucas Wallmark
Wingers (17)
* Ryan Carpenter
* Matej Chalupa
* Alex DeBrincat
* MacKenzie Entwistle
* Brandon Hagel
* Mikael Hakkarainen
* Matthew Highmore
* Mattias Janmark
* Reese Johnson
* Patrick Kane
* Dominik Kubalik
* Philipp Kurashev
* John Quenneville
* Andrew Shaw
* Zack Smith
* Tim Soderlund
* Pius Suter
Defensemen (14)
* Nicolas Beaudin
* Adam Boqvist
* Lucas Carlsson
* Calvin de Haan
* Wyatt Kalynuk
* Duncan Keith
* Chad Krys
* Anton Lindholm
* Ian Mitchell
* Connor Murphy
* Alec Regula
* Brent Seabrook
* Nick Seeler
* Nikita Zadorov
Goalies (5)
* Collin Delia
* Kevin Lankinen
* Cale Morris
* Malcolm Subban
* Matt Tomkins
The main reason why I have Mikael Hakkarainen and Tim Soderlund on the roster over freshmen pros Altybarmakian and Barratt is because they have seniority as sophomores.
Another prospect who I have seen on other camp roster predictions is power forward Cam Morrison. Like Altybarmakian and Barratt, Morrison is entering his first year as a pro.
Matej Chalupa is in his first year of playing pro in North America but has played five seasons in the Czech elite league. As a result, he may have a leg up over true rookie pros.
Also, Michel Teply could be worth consideration with the Czech Republic eliminated from the WJC on Saturday. If not, he is either Rockford bound or back in juniors.
--
See you on the boards!
--
Video Clips
Full credit to Scott Powers from the Athletic for these clips.
Blackhawks first drill of training camp.
Ian Mitchell's first look at camp.
Keith vs Krutil in 1-on-1 drill.
Keith mentoring Krutil after practice.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»