The Blackhawks got the one last obstacle preventing them from setting the final roster out of the way on Tuesday, signing rookie Brandon Saad to a three-year, entry level contract. That means that the second round pick from this year’s draft class will start the season with the Blackhawks.
On the top line, at least to start, he is expected to join Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. Sharp is returning from an emergency appendectomy and is expected to be ready for Friday’s season opener. Toews has looked faster and stronger in the preseason than he did last year, in what many have pegged for him as a season that could see Toews become a candidate for the Hart Trophy.
The second line for the Hawks is going to be the most intriguing to kick off the year. Patrick Kane will make the highly publicized move to center more of a permanent situation, for now. He’ll be playing between the grizzled veteran Andrew Brunette, who will add the size and grit to the line, and Marian Hossa, who could explode with a guy that has the playmaking ability of Kane playing next to him.
Chicago’s “checking line” is the one that could have very easily been predicted heading into camp. The combination of Bryan Bickell, Dave Bolland, and Michael Frolik was solid during last year’s first round series against Vancouver, and it’s clear that it was a group the coaching staff wanted to keep together.
This line should also contains plenty of questions for the Blackhawks. Bickell was a disappointment in the preseason and it remains to be seen if his performance from the series with the Canucks will carry over. There’s also a degree of uncertainty surrounding the health of Dave Bolland, who hasn’t played or practiced since last Wednesday. However, there’s also plenty of excitement about Michael Frolik, who had a breakout series against Vancouver and was stellar on both ends of the ice during the preseason.
The fourth line figures to look different on a regular basis. Jamal Mayers will likely play both center and wing on the line, and will be joined on Friday likely by Rostislav Olesz and Ben Smith, assuming the latter plays. Once Daniel Carcillo returns from his suspension and Viktor Stalberg comes back from injury, they figure to be added to the mix as well, with one of those guys moving up (assuming Saad is sent to juniors before his nine games are up).
The blue line is a puzzle that anyone would have a difficult time solving, though we know who the eight defenseman on the roster are, at the very least.
Duncan Keith returns as the no. 1 defenseman, looking to rebound from a very poor 2010-11 campaign. A long summer should do wonders for the former Norris Trophy winner. However, if recent practice lines are any indication, it won’t be Brent Seabrook joining him on the line.
Nick Leddy has been joining Keith on the top line, with Seabrook lining up next to Niklas Hjalmarsson on the second unit. It’s an interesting setup that Quenneville has going, as it has two puck movers on the top unit, followed by plenty of size and shot blocking on the second, with Seabrook and Hjammer.
While the top four are locked down, the last two spots appear to be up for grabs, even if your name is John Scott. After a disappointing preseason, Steve Montador is no guarantee for a spot on opening night, though it would come as a surprise. Assuming Montador is in the lineup, he’ll be next to one of Scott, Sami Lepisto, or Sean O’Donnell.
It came down to the wire, but the goaltending situation was also settled early this week. Of course, Corey Crawford comes in as the starter, looking to build off of a stellar rookie campaign. He will be joined by Ray Emery, who won the backup job over Alexander Salak, despite a preseason performance that can only be described as mediocre. Still, he brings that veteran aspect that Quenneville and the rest of the staff were clearly looking for.
Of course, while Quenneville’s lines aren’t likely to make it through even the first game, this appears to be the roster that the Hawks will roll with for a while to start the season, as far as personnel goes. The one thing that could change is Saad being sent back to juniors before his nine games are up, which is likely once Stalberg returns, barring an outstanding performance from Saad early on.
The Hawks will kick off their season on Friday night, which begins the first leg of a home-and-home with the Dallas Stars. Friday will be in Dallas, at 7:30 Chicago time.
