Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Who's Missing Who

May 14, 2021, 4:10 AM ET [108 Comments]
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
As the offseason begins for the Blackhawks, a litmus test that could be applied for which players the team should part ways with is whether they will be missed if not in the starting lineup.

Another litmus test is whether a particular player already has an immediate replacement in the system or whether one could be acquired this offseason via the trade market or free agency.

With those factors in mind, there are several players to monitor and see if they remain in Chicago or find themselves in a new zip code before or by the start of training camp in September.

Ryan Carpenter

While he is an exposure candidate for the expansion draft, likelihood is low that the Kraken select Ryan Carpenter. But could he be traded instead for a draft pick in the mid-to-late rounds?

Carpenter is easy to replace with younger options. Mike Hardman plays a heavier style with a capacity to put up better offensive numbers in the bottom 6. Josiah Slavin is a possibility as well.

Brett Connolly

Also an exposure candidate for the expansion draft, Brett Connolly may have a greater chance of being taken by Seattle. He's roughly the same age as Carpenter but has more offensive jam.

Like Carpenter, Connolly is relatively easy to replace with younger personnel. MacKenzie Entwistle is a feasible successor but so are Vincent Hinostroza, Philipp Kurashev, and Pius Suter.

Adam Gaudette

After coming over in the trade with the Canucks, Adam Gaudette teased with offensive ability to be a hybrid finesse/power forward in the middle 6. Keep in mind he is an RFA needing a new deal.

Even though investing in his development may be worthwhile, Gaudette wouldn't be missed either. Hinostroza, Kurashev, and Suter are options. So is prospect Evan Barratt but perhaps a year away.

Vincent Hinostroza

Albeit a different type of free agent (UFA), Hinostroza may be in the same boat as Gaudette in that he showed flashes of being an impact role player but not enough to be deemed untouchable.

Again, Kurashev or Suter are options to play regularly where Hinostroza may be slotted. There are also prospects to consider like Barratt, Slavin, Andrei Altybarmakian, and Dylan McLaughlin.

David Kampf

Head coach Jeremy Colliton loves him some David Kampf but is the Czech center really a fixture worth locking up for a few more years? Like Gaudette, Kampf is also an RFA.

Enter Entwistle. While he needs to improve on his faceoffs, Entwistle has better playmaking and finishing ability on offense and has proven to be a reliable shutdown defender at lower levels.

Alex Nylander

This one's tricky: Alex Nylander has top-shelf talent to be a top-line winger. However, his compete level is questionable and the competitiveness by the young Hawks exposed his weakness even more.

Does Nylander get re-signed to an affordable 1-2 year "show me" contract? Or is it better to cut losses now and gain an asset via trade? Brandon Hagel arguably rendered Nylander unnecessary.

Dylan Strome

During his exit interview, Dylan Strome was honest with how his season went but some interpreted his candor as sour grapes. Some coaches like that frankness but it could also be the kiss of death.

Colliton wasn't shy to scratch Strome even when centers were in short supply. Strome needs to crap or get off the pot. But who steps in? Top forward prospects Henrik Borgstrom and Lukas Reichel come to mind.

Calvin de Haan

On the defensive side of the expansion draft, Calvin de Haan is almost for certain to be exposed. A new team like the Kraken could take a chance on a veteran defender like him but injuries are a risk.

If he's not taken by Seattle, the Hawks could trade de Haan either this summer or by the TDL. Nicolas Beaudin or Wyatt Kalynuk could step in to permanently take de Haan's spot in the starting 6.

Duncan Keith

The future of Duncan Keith is a contentious one in that many desire him to retire as a career-long Blackhawk while others believe he could waive his NMC and garner pretty good assets in a trade.

The problem, though, is none of the young D-men are ready yet to take the reins from the Hawks #1 since the start of the Cup era. Ian Mitchell and Kalynuk may play a similar game but still need time.

Connor Murphy

Keith on the trade market would turn heads but Connor Murphy may be the one to actually bring back the best assets including a 1st round pick if general manager Stan Bowman plays his cards right.

Murphy has no heir apparent on deck to take his place. Alex Vlasic is closest in playing style. However, he's committed to another year in the NCAA and would need another 1-2 years of AHL time.

Nikita Zadorov

When the Hawks obtained Borgstrom from the Panthers, Riley Stillman wasn't just a throw-in. It can be viewed that he was an insurance policy if the Hawks decided to part ways with Nikita Zadorov.

Although smaller in size, Stillman plays a similar style but conceivably with more consistent physicality. Besides Stillman, Cole Moberg can play this way yet may fall short of being NHL caliber.

Collin Delia

It's either Collin Delia or Malcolm Subban who may be the odd one out after the trial by fire that was the 2021 season. Assuming Kevin Lankinen is the starter next year, Delia or Subban is the backup.

Would it be better to keep both of them so that the 3rd string is ready in case of an injury or cold streak by the 1st or 2nd string? Or should one of them be dealt to procure something in return?

--

Roster Updates

World Championships

Over the past few days, more Blackhawks players and prospects were added to rosters for the upcoming IIHF World Championships starting on May 21 in Latvia.

Canada: Nicolas Beaudin, Brandon Hagel, Brandon Pirri

Czech Republic: Dominik Kubalik

Germany: Lukas Reichel

Russia: Maxim Shalunov, Nikita Zadorov

Switzerland: Philipp Kurashev

A few more tournament hopefuls could be confirmed over the next few days.

--

Rockford Updates

Rest for the Weary

Voice Over

Joseph Zakrzewski is the voice and play-by-play announcer for the IceHogs. When the time comes to search for a new Blackhawks play-by-play announcer, hopefully he gets consideration. He may not be a known quantity but he has a fluid cadence and engaging demeanor.

--

Prospect Updates

Arvid Soderblom

A team can never have enough goalies in the system with each one being a lottery ticket in hopes that some pan out as viable material to serve in the starting and backup roles for the parent club.

Arvid Soderblom had a solid 2020-21 season in Sweden's elite league but it's tough to determine how that translates to the NHL. In each of the prior years, he either played no more than 3 games or in a lower league.

Regardless, Soderblom can't be any worse than what the Blackhawks have in Rockford presently. Matt Tomkins is likely a career minor leaguer while Cale Morris, Tom Aubrun, and Ivan Nalimov have been a big pile of meh.

--

See you on the boards!

Join the Discussion: » 108 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Theo Fox
» One Last Shift
» What's the Plan?
» Teaser Ad
» Power Source
» Cut the Mustard