The Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the most active teams in the NHL over the past week.
It all started with the NHL draft where the Blackhawks moved up to select three times in the first and third rounds of the draft. Since then, free agency is where General Manager Kyle Davidson addressed the current roster needs, signing experienced veterans to help add to the culture on and off the ice in Chicago.
Tyler Bertuzzi and the return of Teuvo Teravainen highlight the signings for the forward group, with Pat Maroon and Craig Smith being brought on for extra depth. This gives the Blackhawks a lot to think about in terms of their line combinations, especially with Taylor Hall returning after missing almost the entirety of last season due to a knee injury.
Teravainen's return is a welcomed addition amongst Blackhawk fans, as he was one of the many promising young players that was traded away during the dynasty days. For many, it is hard to believe Teravainen is considered a veteran now, but he returns after eight seasons in Carolina with seven consecutive playoff appearances.
Bertuzzi is a player that had the potential to be a fan favorite in Chicago. He plays a chaotic and physical style of play and is always trying to make his presence known. This most recent season in Toronto saw Bertuzzi post 21 goals, two years removed from his 30-goal season in 2021-22. As one of the more sought after power-forwards in recent years, Bertuzzi brings an element that the Blackhawks have been lacking for the past couple of seasons.
On the back-end, the Blackhawks added veterans Alec Martinez, TJ Brodie, and goaltender Laurent Brossoit.
Martinez brings valuable experience to the lineup having won three Stanley Cups in his career, one of which he scored the cup-winning goal in 2014. Though he is 37, Martinez is a shot blocking machine with strong 5-on-5 defensive play. His presence will be huge for the young players who are trying to find their way in the NHL.
With there being so many new faces in Chicago this season, let's take a look at what the Blackhawks lines could be for the 2024-25 season...
Forwards
|
Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
|
T. Bertuzzi |
C. Bedard |
P. Kurashev |
|
L. Reichel |
A. Athanasiou |
T. Teravainen |
|
T. Hall |
J. Dickinson |
N. Foligno |
|
I. Mikheyev |
R. Donato |
J. Anderson |
|
P. Maroon |
C. Smith |
As opposed to last season, the Blackhawks have many more possible combinations they could use for their forward lines. Pat Maroon and Criag Smith become the extra forwards as they are both veterans who signed one-year deals. Each player will see their share of time, but neither is expected to be an every-day member of the lineup.
Line one: Bertuzzi-Bedard-Kurashev
This line could change throughout the season as the team might want to try different players alongside Bedard. But, for now, this could be the line Luke Richardson ices for opening night.
Bedard and Kurashev has nice chemistry last season which could keep them together again to start this season, and adding in Bertuzzi makes for a more complete line with another established scorer.
Line two: Reichel-Athanasiou-Terevainen
Having Lukas Reichel in the top-six may be controversial, but his finish to last season gives him the chance to start on the second line.
Playing with speedster Athanasiou and two-way playmaker Teravainen gives Reichel skilled linemates to take the pressure off of him. This line brings speed and skill which could be very fun to watch.
Line three: Hall-Dickinson-Foligno
This is the veteran line for the Blackhawks, a balanced trio of experienced players who lead on and off the ice.
Taylor Hall starting on the third line is partly due to easing him back in the lineup after last season's injury. Foligno and Dickinson both are reliable players at both ends of the ice which should make for an effective third line.
Line four: Mikheyev-Donato-Anderson
These three could be a fun combination for the Blackhawks, a tenacious group who will work their hardest every shift.
Anderson proved himself last season and earns a spot again this year, playing alongside a speedster like Mikheyev could make this an entertaining energy line. Donato centers this line as yet another player who can play up-and-down the lineup if needed be.
It is important to note that Frank Nazar and Landon Slaggert are not on the roster here. Though there is a chance they both make the team out of camp, the amount of depth added to the forward group might mean they start the year in Rockford (AHL).
Defense
|
Left Defense |
Right Defense |
|---|---|
|
A. Vlasic |
S. Jones |
|
K. Korchinski |
C. Murphy |
|
A. Martinez |
T. Brodie |
Pair one: Vlasic-Jones
Last season's top pair of Vlasic and Jones reunites for this season as well, after being the most consistent duo on the Blackhawks defense in 2023-24.
Vlasic will look to take another step after last year's breakout season.
Pair two; Korchinski-Murphy
Connor Murphy will look to bounce back after an injury riddled 2023-24. He will play alongside Korchinski who is entering his second NHL season.
It is worth noting that Korchinski is now eligible to play in the AHL since he turned 20 years-old. If he begins to look overwhelmed, he could spend some time in Rockford.
Pair three: Martinez-Brodie
The two newly added veterans will make for an experienced shut-down unit on the Blackhawks third pair. Brodie is coming off a down season in Toronto after many seasons on the team's top pair. He also is a unique defenseman who can play the left and right side.
Aside from his shot blocking, Martinez becomes a big piece of the leadership group in Chicago. This pair might also feature a young defender like Wyatt Kaiser at points throughout the season.
Goaltending
|
Goaltenders |
|---|
|
P. Mrazek |
|
L. Brossoit |
The goaltending is the most obvious for the Blackhawks going into this season. Laurent Brossoit was one of the top free agent goaltenders after a strong 15-5-2 season with the Winnipeg Jets.
The 31-year old signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks and will likely split the starts with Petr Mrazek, giving more balance to their goaltending tandem.
Mrazek was stellar for the Blackhawks last season and was the reason a lot of their games were closer than they should have been. Despite the record, he was arguably the most valuable member of the team in 2023-24.
Arvid Soderblom will go back to Rockford this season and split starts with Drew Commesso, who is going into his second professional season. It was clear that Soderblom needs more time to develop before the Blackhawks know what they have with him, he is still young for a goaltender.
All in all, the Blackhawks roster is much deeper than it was last year. It is unknown about where young players like Frank Nazar will play, but it is likely the team decides to stack up their AHL roster to develop their youth before bringing them up to the NHL.
There will be plenty of speculating on the Blackhawks roster from now until training camp, but this should make for an exciting season of Blackhawks hockey.
