It looks like the Blackhawks coaching staff just had one decision made for them in regards to how the defence looks in October.
It was announced that Gustav Forsling has undergone right wrist surgery that will keep him out 14-weeks. That would put that at the beginning of November.
Forsling is still growing as a player and I think he has been unfairly thrown into bigger roles in his early time as an NHL player than he should have.
I go back and forth on my opinion of him but for the most part, I think he's a real nice player/prospect and could have top 4 potential. That's a guy you want to hold on to (unless you're including him in a deal for a current top 4 D) and develop the right way.
The defence has a lot of bodies vying for spots right now on the backend and Forsling would have been on the cusp of making the team.
The young Swede can be sent down without having to clear waivers, so that was already not working in his favour.
I know things can change from here until mid-September when training camp kicks off, but here's what the defence would look like if I (or DarthKane – who just posted the same pairings on the message board) was the coach:
Keith-Murphy
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Manning-Jokiharju
Rutta
I think the Keith-Murphy pairing needs to be revisited. As it stands now, Murphy is the only RHD that I would want in the top 4 with Keith.
Keith/Seabrook don't have that "zest" any more of being that elite pair and I'm not convinced Rutta should be playing in the top 4 either.
Jokiharju might end up being the best partner for Keith (and he may start there) but at this point, I truly believe if Murphy comes into camp he can solidify himself as a top 4 defender for the year. It would be great if he wasn't in-and-out of the lineup. They need him to play and be solid back there, not wondering where his next meal is coming from.
Gustafsson and Seabrook have familiarity with each other and could be effective enough in lesser minutes. Gustafsson was showing some really nice offensive flair (especially with Patrick Kane in the o-zone) and the Hawks need more of that, so I see him as an everyday player.
Last week, I mentioned that I had this new theory that Manning was brought in to add some toughness, but also to specifically play with… Henri Jokiharju.
According to most, Jokiharju appears to be slated to make this Blackhawks team. Is it the right call? Too early to tell, but one thing is for sure, even though he's put on some muscle, he's still not a very big guy.
What better confidence for a kid with his style (strong skater, offensive defenceman) to play with a rugged, stay-at-home-defenceman in Manning. The Hawks came out at called Manning a stay-at-home type when they signed him. He doesn't always win his fights, but he fights for his teammates regardless. He and Jokiharju could be a real nice bottom pairing as Henri gains experience in the NHL.
Rutta is a guy that I'm not sure ends the year in Chicago. He's a bit of an enigma to me. I can't really tell where he's the strongest in his game. He tends to play a slightly above-average 2-way game.
Coach Quenneville trusted him quite a bit last year, so maybe he is an everyday player on this team. I just hope it's not at the expense of a Connor Murphy who I think the Hawks will benefit more from long-term if he has a strong season as a top 4.
As mentioned, things can change, and trades or PTOs can happen so this could look very different in a matter of days/weeks/months.
Also, here are some honourable mentions that could surprise in training camp:
* Carl Dahlstrom - the dude can play both LHD and RHD; so don't sleep on that fact
* Blake Hillman – I think he will be a very nice shutdown D in the near future
* Dennis Gilbert – skates well for a big guy and has that toughness that the Hawks lack
* Lucas Carlsson – there will be a bit of a learning curve to the NA ice/style but he could be a guy who emerges in the back-half of this season
No updates on any trade rumours or whispers. I will update as they hit my phone/inbox.
See ya out there!
JL
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