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Chicago Blackhawks’ Defense: Constructing Top 7 From Current Roster

By Colin Likas

EVERETT, WA - APRIL 13: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju (16) of the Portland Winterhawks skates the puck out of the defensive zone during the first period in Game 5 of the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs between the Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. The Everett Silvertips won the game by a final score of 4-0. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EVERETT, WA - APRIL 13: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju (16) of the Portland Winterhawks skates the puck out of the defensive zone during the first period in Game 5 of the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs between the Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. The Everett Silvertips won the game by a final score of 4-0. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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EVERETT, WA – APRIL 13: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju (16) of the Portland Winterhawks skates the puck out of the defensive zone during the first period in Game 5 of the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs between the Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. The Everett Silvertips won the game by a final score of 4-0. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It doesn’t sound appealing, but the Chicago Blackhawks could roll with a group of seven defensemen comprised of their present roster inclusions

Are the Chicago Blackhawks done making moves ahead of the 2018-19 camp scene, and preparation for the regular season? If they have serious ambitions of making the playoffs in this upcoming year, then they won’t be.

Of course, we can look to such insights as this tweet from The Rink’s John Jaeckel:

Take that for what it’s worth, but it would not be at all surprising to see the Blackhawks go out and acquire another defenseman in the near future, either via free agency or trade. There’s also Marian Hossa‘s contract, which general manager Stan Bowman has said would be a priority as far as removing it from his books.

So the Blackhawks probably will have more to work with on the defensive front than what we’re seeing now. The latest additions were Brandon Manning via free agency and Adam Boqvist via three-year, entry-level contract.

But what if the Blackhawks can’t and don’t find anyone else to fit in their defensive corps? What if coach Joel Quenneville must make an opening-night defensive unit out of the pieces he already has, and nothing else?

Well, the Blackhawks are in trouble. But let’s try to do this anyway, using only players the Blackhawks presently roster (either at the NHL level or lower).

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