With the Blackhawks’ roster virtually locked up in net (Turco and Crawford) and on the blue line (Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Hjalmarsson, Boynton, Hendry and Scott – with Vishnevskiy on the outside looking in), the competition at training camp is happening at forward. The Hawks’ top-six are set, but there are spots to be won as a bottom-six forward.
Who’s locked in?
Sharp – Bolland – Hossa
Stalberg – ??? – ???
Bickell – ??? – Kopecky
???
Who has a realistic shot?
Kyle Beach – Top prospect in the Blackhawks’ system will play his first game in the NHL sometime this season, but will his time come when training camp breaks? You can’t deny the kid is talented, but he’s “in need of a serious attitude adjustment.” Spending more time in Rockford could do some good, but he’s a Bowman favorite.
Igor Makarov – The 23-year-old Russian forward won the hearts of everyone in attendance at the training camp shindig over the weekend, and has a legitimate shot at stealing a roster spot from any player on this list. Makarov dazzled in prospect camp two years ago, but faded into the drab background of the KHL as a fourth-liner since. In 51 games between St. Petersburg and Moscow, he score five goals with four assists.
Fernando Pisani – If healthy, he’ll easily make the team out of training camp. Pisani will provide a veteran leadership on one of the bottom lines, and will help on the penalty kill. That being said, his skills and offensive production have tailed off significantly since he was a playoff hero for the Oilers in 2006.
Ryan Potulny – A nice off-season signing at a nice price, and could fill the role of third- or fourth-line center with the Hawks this season. At 26, Potulny has a small upside, and a scoring touch (15 last year). His plus/minus rating of minus-21 was indicative of playing on the last place Oilers.
Jack Skille – This will undoubtedly be the last shot for Skille to make the club that drafted him five years ago with the seventh overall pick. Really, there is nothing new I can tell you about Skille. His high water mark is as the Kris Versteeg replacement on the third line, but being assigned to Rockford is a possibility.
Jake Dowell – A spot on the Blackhawks was as good as his before ex-Oilers Pisani and Potulny were brought into the fold. Dowell still has an outside shot to make the team, but it appears as though he’s destine to begin the season in the AHL for the fifth time. The only thing he has going for him is that he’s a natural center.
Loading ...
