The most talked about acquisition of the offseason for the Chicago Blackhawks will finally make his debut this week, when Dan Carcillo hits the ice against the Winnipeg Jets.
Carcillo was a late signing on the first day of free agency, with Stan Bowman signing the physical forward to a one-year deal, worth $750,000.
Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks have since warmed up to Carcillo, otherwise known as Carbomb. He’s been welcome in the city and the role he figures to fill in for the team is one that they were missing last year.
Though it’s unclear who he will replace on Thursday in the lineup, many are expecting to see Carcillo in the top six, possibly on a line with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, which would mean Andrew Brunette likely moves to the top unit.
In Carcillo, the Hawks have an agitating presence that they really lacked last year. Though they had some guys who were capable of filling in a gritty role, none performed as expected, and none have the ability to get inside the head of opponents like Carcillo.
If he can manage to keep himself in check, as it looks like he is going to judging from the preseason, Carcillo could do wonders for the Hawks. Expect to see him serve plenty of time in the sin bin, but not nearly as much time as he’s been spending over the course of his career with the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers.
One intriguing aspect of Carcillo’s debut is who is taking the ice opposite the Hawks on Thursday. Among those players Carcillo called out in his introductory press conference was Tanner Glass. Though he’s not a Canuck anymore, Glass signed with the Winnipeg Jets this offseason and saw solid ice time in a fourth line role in his Jets debut over the weekend.
After splitting the first two games of the season with the Dallas Stars, the Hawks don’t play again until Thursday, when they host the Jets at the United Center.
