The young Blackhawks won't just be given spots on the team like last season. They have to really earn them.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson had an approach that he stuck to this offseason, bringing in veteran talent so that there is competition on the team for roster spots.
Last season the Blackhawks finished 31st in the league, and although it was a rebuilding year and injuries were abundant, there were things to take and learn from in the season. Chicago left spots open for young players to step in and play in 2023-24 and some of them struggled over time.
That's not going to happen two years in a row as Davidson said "we've created some competition around roles. That's what we said we wanted to do after the season."
No young player is just going to be given a spot on the team and "the young guys are going to have to be convincing in doing so (taking a spot on the team)," Davidson said. "We don't want to give them a spot and then after a month or so it's just not working out and we had to clear someone out to clear a spot for them and we can't get that player back."
This goes for everyone (Connor Bedard excluded). The Blackhawks' general manager made it clear that even "Kevin (Korchinski) has gotta' come in and earn a spot." The defenseman may have played his entire rookie season in the NHL in 2023-24 because it was NHL or back to the WHL, but he is only 20 years old and now there are more veterans with tons of NHL experience in the group to be able to challenge him for playing time and a role.
Veteran additions Alec Martinez and T.J. Brodie won't be the only ones fighting for regular playing time and a spot in the lineup. There are a number of other young D-men who could surprise and have to prove without a doubt they belong and will stick around. This includes names like Ethan Del Mastro, Wyatt Kaiser, Isaak Phillips, Louis Crevier, Nolan Allan, and even Artyom Levshunov.
Davidson wants to be very sure and the young players have to come in and elevate the team, take a role, and are not being given one.
This extends to more than just Korchinski and the defense. There are younger forwards like Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert, Cole Guttman, Joey Anderson, and Lukas Reichel who have to earn their spots too.
The Blackhawks went out and brought in a lot of talented players who can fill certain roles and really elevate this team. If the young players, who are the future, take a spot from a veteran, there's the potential that player will be claimed on waivers, and like Davidson stated, won't be able to be brought back if the younger player falters after a while.
The Blackhawks should be much better off this way. Prospects will get good development in the minors before proving without a shadow of a doubt they are ready for the NHL. The veterans should be able to do their jobs either throughout next season or until their spot is won from them. The young players will also have to work harder and be on their games at all times to not lose a step on other teammates also competing for a place on the team.
This will look like a much different Blackhawks team with a great plan in place and a bright future. We will see how it plays out, but the thought process is better and learning from their mistakes is a step in the right direction.
