After sweeping the series against the historical rival Red Wings, the Blackhawks travel to Nashville for a "two games in two nights" series versus the more recent rival Predators.
However, the hot topic at the water cooler is yesterday's news that Alex DeBrincat and Adam Boqvist were placed on the NHL COVID-19 Protocol List for an indeterminate length of time.
--
Game Days
Game 7, January 26:
Blackhawks @ Predators
7:00pm CST
Game 8, January 27:
Blackhawks @ Predators
6:30pm CST
Records:
Blackhawks, 2-3-1, 5 Pts
Predators, 2-3-0, 4 Pts
Season Series:
0-0-0
Power Play:
Blackhawks, 8-19, 42.1%
Predators, 2-20, 10.0%
Penalty Kill:
Blackhawks, 18-25, 72.0%
Predators, 11-20, 55.0%
Thanks to some intel from message board poster Doh, the Red Wings play a 1-2-2 forecheck but the Predators play a more aggressive 2-1-2. Could this make a difference on the Hawks offense?
The Hawks could have a chance to fatten up more on the power play entering this series 2nd in the league with the man advantage while the Preds are next to last on the penalty kill.
On the other side of the coin, Chicago is 25th in killing penalties but Nashville is also next to last on the power play with only just a pair of goals in 5 games (20 chances).
Special teams aside, the Preds could be the first accurate test this season for the Hawks to see where they are at in terms of capacity to compete in the NHL and growth curve as a team.
The Lightning are expected to feast on the Central Division and the Wings are expected to be feasted upon. The other five teams may collectively be a better barometer for the Hawks true fate.
The Predators projected lineup could look like this:
Forsberg - Johansen - Arvidsson
Granlund - Duchene - Kunin
Sissons - Haula - Cousins
Trenin - Richardson - Grimaldi
Josi - Ellis
Ekholm - Fabbro
Borowiecki - Benning
Saros
Rinne
While the forward ranks isn't as physically imposing as it used to be, the blueline has a lot of nastiness still with Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, Mark Borowiecki, and Matt Benning.
On the injury front, Nashville is expected to be without rearguard Luca Sbisa and center Calle Jarnkrok. Both are on injured reserve.
--
COVID-19 Protocol
By being on the NHL COVID-19 Protocol List, DeBrincat and Boqvist are unable to practice, travel, or play in games until medically cleared. Being on the list doesn't mean they have COVID, though.
Something worth noting is that they live together. Moving ahead, this may be something teams explore as far as requiring each player to live in their own living unit to minimize spread.
Regardless, the two primary questions are when will DeBrincat and Boqvist be eligible to return and who will take their spots in the Hawks lineup in their absence.
Alex DeBrincat
Who should sub in for DeBrincat?
One guiding principle is to play the youth and in which case could lead to Matthew Highmore getting reinserted on the 4th line with familiar linemates David Kampf and Ryan Carpenter.
If this is the case, Brandon Hagel would be bumped up. For example, Hagel could graduate to the 3rd line and in turn move Andrew Shaw up to the top line with Patrick Kane and Pius Suter.
A criticism, though, is who replaces DeBrincat's scoring ability. There aren't many options besides Dominik Kubalik but his line with Dylan Strome and Philipp Kurashev should remain intact.
This would also necessitate one of the Swedish newbies in Carl Soderberg, Lucas Wallmark, or Mattias Janmark to sit. Another idea would be to rest Kampf or Carpenter instead.
Possible lines based on the above:
Shaw - Suter - Kane
Kurashev - Strome - Kubalik
Janmark - Wallmark - Soderberg
Hagel - Highmore - Carpenter
(Kampf sits)
Not impossible but it's quite difficult seeing head coach Jeremy Colliton benching Kampf who has been one of his favorite players stemming back to when they were together in Rockford.
Perhaps Carpenter sits instead of Kampf. Either way, having youth served and leaning on the experience of Soderberg, Wallmark, and Janmark is an attractive scenario to reconfigure up front.
Using the lines outlined above as a foundation, another layout is keeping Shaw with Wallmark and Janmark then have Soderberg center Kane and Suter which may have been the original intention.
Lastly, Highmore played center in juniors with the Saint John Ice Dogs and also in his tour of duty in the AHL so playing pivot isn't foreign to him. In fact, he thinks and plays like one.
Adam Boqvist
Who should sub in for Boqvist?
Having a rookie in place of Boqvist is inevitable given the alternatives are Lucas Carlsson (6 games played in the NHL), Nicolas Beaudin (1 game), and Wyatt Kalynuk (no games).
A critical question is what type of blueliner does the coaching staff want in Boqvist's spot: an analog who plays the same style or a defensively wired D-man as competition gets tougher.
If it's the former, Beaudin or Kalynuk would be the lead candidates. The edge goes to Beaudin given he has one year of pro experience under his belt and was most impressive in camp.
Additionally, Beaudin is the closest to matching Boqvist's style of offensive activation and playmaking. Even though Boqvist is bigger and maybe stronger, Beaudin is better in his own end.
Kalynuk wouldn't be a bad choice yet his playing style more closely resembles Ian Mitchell's. Both are coachable, mature, intelligent, poised, and reliable at both ends.
However, if it's the latter, Carlsson is the way to go. He plays a steady defensive game based on net protection and physicality. Also, he can transition the puck with his feet or crisp passing.
Power Play
DeBrincat and Boqvist are both fixtures on the top power play unit so that's two holes that need to be filled while they are out. Replacing one may be easier than the other, though.
Mitchell makes the most sense to take Boqvist's spot or to at least play the point on the second unit then have Duncan Keith move up to the first unit. Swapping seems highly probable.
As for DeBrincat, there is no other right-handed shot to hammer shots from the bottom left circle. Solution? Shift the formation so the shooter is on the right side instead.
Kane is insanely skilled and can create from anywhere on the ice so have him patrol the left boards. Then, keep Shaw and Strome down low and either Mitchell or Keith at the point.
Who takes DeBrincat's spot? Kubalik. Move him to the top unit so he can be the triggerman from the right circle. Soderberg can join PP2 with Wallmark, Janmark, Kurashev, and Mitchell/Keith.
--
Scott Darling
As rumored on Sunday, former Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling has signed a PTO with the IceHogs. He joins Matt Tomkins, Cale Morris, and Tom Aubrun in the Hogs net at training camp.
It's a longshot for any of these four minor league goalies to make it to the NHL -- or back to the big show in Darling's case -- but there's minimal risk in bringing him aboard again.
Darling could at least provide veteran leadership for the young Rockford tenders. He not only has NHL experience but also is a Stanley Cup champion being instrumental in the 2015 run.
--
Hogs Training Camp
The Hogs opened up training camp yesterday. Not counting Darling and Aubrun, the
camp roster was as predicted over the previous weeks as the Hawks active roster and taxi squad took shape.
Besides the addition of Darling, there are no surprises to the camp roster. Veteran leadership is lacking, though, so Cody Franson and Darling may be relied upon heavily.
Also, while Derek King and Anders Sorensen are the main coaches, they will get help from player development coaches Kendall Coyne Schofield, Brian Campbell, Yanic Perreault, and Erik Condra.
--
See you on the boards!
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»