Observations and reflections from yesterday's second day of Blackhawks training camp.
Note:
Observations and reflections are based on video clips shared on social media by Scott Powers of the Athletic and Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago.
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Ian Mitchell
Even at 21 years old, Ian Mitchell is a vocal leader on the back end shouting and motioning directions to teammates during drills and scrimmage shifts. Directing traffic is key to a mobile defense that is attuned to game evolution.
Also, once Mitchell has the puck on his blade, he moves it quickly with a pass or shot to keep offensive momentum flowing which in turn keeps the other team on its heels. And there's no panic if he takes his time handling the puck.
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Nikita Zadorov
Nikita Zadorov demonstrates an up-tempo defensive game by managing gaps efficiently and closing them speedily. Even if he doesn't use his huge body to rub out opponents, his suffocating gap control is worth emulating by the D corps.
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Adam Boqvist
Adam Boqvist looks visibly bulkier which hopefully is attributed to gains in muscle mass and healthy weight. That added size will aid in stabilizing him during his offensive rushes and defensive battles.
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Alec Regula
Alec Regula has a deceptive skating stride with his lanky 6'4" frame. Despite his physical stature, he does skate fairly well as a mail carrier. His long reach is also a luxury when stick checking and sealing off lanes.
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Matthew Highmore
Not only can Matthew Highmore flat out fly on the ice but also make plays at top speed. If he can leverage that skill combination consistently, he adds another layer to his ruthless forechecking to create more scoring chances.
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Andrei Altybarmakian & Pius Suter
Something subtle yet impactful that Andrei Altybarmakian and Pius Suter do is incrementally draw closer to the net as they skate deeper into the offensive zone and allow the play to develop. That fearlessness will pay dividends.
What stands out even more, though, is that Altybarmakian and Suter can both generate offense from in close with either full-throttle drives to the net or methodical pacing to establish presence in the prime scoring areas down low.
Altybarmakian may be one to watch over the next season or two as he develops on the smaller North American ice. He is all over the puck like Brandon Hagel, hustling on the forecheck and taking it to the net with regularity.
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Zack Smith
As expected, Zack Smith has cleared waivers and should be with the Hogs. His veteran presence is much needed, especially with the forward ranks. Cody Franson will lead from the back and may serve as a de facto player/assistant.
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Forward Lines
Head coach Jeremy Colliton assembled the following forward lines:
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Shaw - Suter - Kubalik
Janmark - Wallmark - Pirri
Carpenter - Kampf - Highmore
Prior to camp starting, Carl Soderberg has been considered a front runner to center the 2nd line given his experience as a middle 6 pivot who can produce at a 0.50 PPG clip. Once he arrives at camp, does he go to the 2nd or 3rd line?
On the one hand, if Suter clicks with Andrew Shaw and Dominik Kubalik, that is potentially potent with scoring and grit. Then, a killer 3rd line could be formed with Lucas Wallmark between Mattias Janmark and Soderberg.
This Swedish trio would be a double threat across the entire ice with their shutdown capacity against the other teams' best players while providing secondary offense as each is capable of potting double-digit number of goals.
However, on the other hand, Soderberg could still anchor the 2nd line shifting Suter to the wing and bumping Shaw down to the 3rd. Still different combinations that could be tried in camp in preparation for opening night.
This also doesn't factor in prospects on the cusp like Hagel, Philipp Kurashev, and MacKenzie Entwistle perhaps stating their case to crack the lineup. There's also the aforementioned Altybarmakian as a dark horse.
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See you on the boards!
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