Today is the first of a pair of games in the inaugural Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase pitting the prospects of the Chicago Blackhawks against the prospects of the Minnesota Wild. Game 1 is at 7:00pm CDT tonight then Game 2 is on Sunday at 1:00pm CDT.
When surveying the Hawks roster for the exhibition, there aren't many marquee players representing Chicago besides Lukas Reichel as arguably the sole youngster in the top tier. Then going down a tier are Colton Dach, Nolan Allan, and Arvid Soderblom.
But when taking a gander at the Wild roster, there are noticeably more blue chip prospects including Marco Rossi, Matthew Boldy, and Carson Lambos at the top of the ladder. Adam Beckman, Calen Addison, Ryan O'Rourke, and Hunter Jones are a rung down.
This doesn't necessarily mean that the Wild prospects are going to obliterate the Hawks prospects. Like with the parent clubs filled with varsity players -- whether during the regular season or playoffs -- role players can make a world of difference.
During Chicago's recent Stanley Cup era, the trio of championships doesn't happen without role players like Dave Bolland, Bryan Bickell, Marcus Kruger, Andrew Shaw, Johnny Oduya, and Scott Darling. Their courage and compete level made them invaluable.
Similarly, the recent Cup champs for the past two seasons may not have brought the trophy to Tampa Bay and keep it there if it weren't for role players like Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Patrick Maroon, Ross Colton, Erik Cernak, and David Savard.
This isn't to say a team that has bottom 6-caliber forwards playing in the top 6, 3rd pair-caliber defensemen playing in the top 4, and backup goalies is going to win a championship let alone be a perennial contender. Elite talent is still critical.
Yet, in lieu of having a roster chock-full of such elite talent -- and given that this showcase is merely an exhibition -- there is still much to be interested in if not excited about. Below is a sample of Chicago prospects who exemplify necessary role players.
The Skilled Agitators
Andrei Altybarmakian and Evan Barratt are Exhibits A and B for those players who can get under the skin of the opposition to throw them off their game then hurt them more on the scoreboard with offensive skill by scoring goals, dishing passes, and creating space.
The Industrious Power Forwards
Josiah Slavin, Mike Hardman, and Kale Howarth are prototypical power forwards with size who may not necessarily be physical punishers but they work doggedly along the walls and in corners to tie up opponents, flush out pucks, and drive hard to the net.
The Mini Spark Plugs
Chad Yetman, D.J. Busdeker, and Jaden Luypen are on the small side but you couldn't tell by the manner in which they play by bringing the energy every shift, taking the game to the tough areas, and attacking in waves up and down the ice sheet.
The Defensive Defensemen
Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro, and Louis Crevier headline the young D corps who are going to make a living as defenders who will shut down the other team, lock it down in front of their goalie, and put forth sufficient contributions to the breakout.
The Professionals
The two Jakubs -- Pour and Galvas -- have 4 and 5 years respectively of pro league experience already in their native Czech Republic and Finland so they may have unassuming games but get the job done by keeping it simple and playing fundamentally.
The Cool Cucumbers
Arvid Soderblom and Cale Morris are quite similar to the Hawks starter of the immediate future Kevin Lankinen -- with Drew Commesso being the long-term future -- in that they stay calm in net, display an efficient style, and not let bad plays rattle them.
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Prospect Poll
Thank you to those who took the poll on which prospects you are excited to see during the upcoming Prospect Showcase. Here are the poll results:
* Lukas Reichel (on 82.8% of casted ballots)
* Arvid Soderblom (62.1%)
* Colton Dach (51.7%)
* Nolan Allan (48.3%)
* Alec Regula (37.9%)
* Evan Barratt (34.5%)
* Mike Hardman (34.5%)
* Andrei Altybarmakian (31.0%)
* Josiah Slavin (31.0%)
* Isaak Phillips (27.6%)
* Louis Crevier (24.1%)
* Michal Teply (24.1%)
* Ethan Del Mastro (13.8%)
* Jakub Galvas (13.8%)
* Cale Morris (13.8%)
* Jakub Pour (10.3%)
* Kale Howarth (6.9%)
* Jaden Luypen (6.9%)
* D.J. Busdeker (3.4%)
* Chad Yetman (3.4%)
Not getting any votes were:
* Carson Gicewicz
* Michael Krutil
* Dmitri Osipov
* Tom Aubrun
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Nolan Allan
Allan may have been the last pick in the 1st round of the 2021 draft who was also projected to go in the 2nd or even 3rd round instead but is an underrated rearguard who will earn his keep as a future NHLer as a physical stay-at-home defender.
Also, Allan has been praised by scouts and analysts as a D-man who will clean up any misgivings by a more offensively gifted partner. That type of role that he excels at instills confidence in his partner to take chances when rushing the puck and pinching.
The knock on Allan being drafted so high was that he doesn't generate much offense. Frankly, though, who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown defense, and adds muscle and grit. His 2021 draft classmates Del Mastro and Taige Harding are similar.
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Marc-Andre Fleury
If this ends up being Marc-Andre Fleury's last year before retiring, go out with a bang and try to go deep in the playoffs. And while this is more wild speculation than any possible truth like this Fleury sound byte, is Jonathan Toews' swan song on the horizon, too?
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See you on the boards!
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