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10 "other" storylines from Blackhawks' camp |
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Yes, we know the Kane, Strome, and Nylander line is lighting it up in scrimmages.
Yes, Kirby Dach looks like a machine.
Brent Seabrook is out there doing his thing and getting back up and speed.
And where the heck is Corey Crawford?
I would also be remised if I didn't mention that Calvin de Haan and Connor Murphy did skate on their own today. However, Jonathan Toews did not and there's no real update on the Captain's return. It doesn't sound serious though.
Anyway, these are the main headlines we've all been reading over the first couple of weeks of training camp 2.0.
I've touched on these briefly as well, but for this blog, I wanted to talk about 10 "other" storylines that haven't gotten as much attention. Heck, maybe they aren't interesting at all, but I like to go against the grain, so here we go:
1) Philipp Kurashev – The 20-year old got an opportunity to play between Saad and DeBrincat on Tuesday. He didn't stay there the entire scrimmage, but I think it speaks volumes of what the Blackhawks think of Kurashev positionally. Some have debated he's more of a winger, but from what I'd seen of him, he's always looked like a natural centre.
Injuries derailed his season last year and I think a full – and healthy – year in Rockford would be best for Kurashev. It's here he can hone his skills up the middle at the pro level and it's great to know the Hawks have a pivot in the wing with Kurashev.
2) Dylan Sikura – I'll get this out of the way now; yes Sikura notched a hat trick on Tuesday in scrimmage. For those who didn't watch the stream, Tuesday's "game" was very defence optional. So there's that.
However, outside of those goals, Sikura looked really good. He was elevated up the lineup and was moving really well.
Is there a future for Dylan in Chicago? Who knows, but keep in mind he's on the books for just $750k for 2020-21, so that helps his cause.
3) Kevin Lankinen – I've been impressed by how the Finnish tender is moving in camp so far. He's coming off of shoulder surgery that could have kept him out until August. His rehab went well though and he's in there giving the Hawks coaching staff another potential option vs. Edmonton.
I still think it's between Delia and Subban, but excited to see Lankinen in his 2nd season in North America next year. He will likely be in Rockford as he grows confidence and consistency in the AHL.
4) Playing the Puck – Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times had an interesting article this week on how life without Crawford would affect the breakout.
We take for granted how great of a stickhandler Corey is and if he is unable to play against the Oilers, this is something the Blackhawks defence especially will miss.
The coaching staff is working with the 4 goalies in camp and apparently, Malcolm Subban was impressive in these drills while Collin Delia struggled.
5) Subban – Speaking of Subban, another thing that is working in his favour to start game #1 is the fact that he was one the bench during Vegas' long playoff to the Stanley Cup Finals run in 2018.
No, he didn't get into a single minute of the playoffs that year (or any other year in the NHL), but he was apart of that environment and saw that it takes.
6) Nicolas Beaudin – Stan Bowman singled out the play of a few on Tuesday when he spoke to the media. Beaudin was one of them (Sikura and Kurashev were others) and he even went as far as to call him "impressive".
The Hawks youth on the backend is looking more and more "impressive" by the day. When looking at the roster for next year, Beaudin appears to be a tweener; a guy that will be in the AHL most of the year but will see spot duty in the NHL when injuries occur.
7) Lucas Carlsson – A guy that should be on the Blackhawks active roster from day #1 next year is Lucas Carlsson. He was rock solid in his 6 NHL games this season but has been more than solid in a larger sample size in the AHL over the past 2 seasons.
At 23, Carlsson looks ready to make the step into a full-time NHL role. Things will have to change however, as it's a crowded blueline as it stands now. I do suspect room will be made for him and Mitchell.
8) Slater Koekkoek – Great segue for my writing, but a bad prediction for K4. I believe Carlsson will be taken Koekkoek's spot next year.
Koekkoek said this week that he would love to resign in Chicago, however, that may not be in the cards. I have no problem with Koekkoek but the upside with Carlsson is greater and he needs to be given a shot in 2020-21.
9) Wyatt Kalynuk – Hold on, Lucas, as much as I see you suiting up for the Blackhawks next year, you may have some stiff competition.
Mark Eaton's comments about newly signed Wyatt Kalynuk are very optimistic. He went as far as to say if Wyatt comes into camp in shape and plays well he could very well be on the active roster when the 2020-21 season begins.
That's some high praise for the kid. This kid is 23-years old which helps his cause being a little older. Also, I see where the optimism is coming from when Eaton speaks about Kalynuk, his skating is extremely strong and appears to play a very well-rounded game.
Time will tell but this is the best I've felt about the Blackhawks defence prospect depth in a long, long time.
10) Pius Suter – Stan Bowman is also on the record now saying that he expects Suter to be in the Blackhawks lineup next year.
I don't think that's a far-fetched statement. Suter brings a lot to the table and looks like a sure-fire NHLer. Whether he sneaks into the top 6 or plays more of a bottom 6 role is TBD.
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Any secondary(ish) storylines that you're enjoying so far at camp?
Let me know what you're thinking on the message boards.
Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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