Chicago Blackhawks: Adam Boqvist and the Summer of Opportunity

One of the biggest storylines to watch going forward is Chicago Blackhawks’ top defensive prospect, Adam Boqvist. Will he earn a 2019-20 NHL roster spot?

It is officially the summer of opportunity here in Chicago. With the massive roster overhaul this summer, tons of new faces have a chance at cracking the NHL roster. One of those new faces is the Blackhawks’ top defensive prospect, Adam Boqvist.

Last season, the Blackhawks kept Boqvist on through training camp and two preseason games.  Since then, he has set the hockey world ablaze. In 54 games with the London Knights of the OHL, Boqvist racked up an impressive 60 points (20G, 40A) with a 12 ± rating.

What makes this even more impressive is the fact that this was Boqvist’s first real taste of North American hockey in a smaller rink size. He also had a good showing in the U-20 IIHF World Junior Championship tournament with Sweden, as he tallied 4 points (1G, 3A) with a 4 ± rating in 5 games.

If he almost made the Chicago Blackhawks’ NHL roster as an extremely raw 18-year-old, then you have to believe he could be on the verge of becoming an NHL defenseman in 2019-20. It seems like he believes he is ready as well.

In the Blackhawks’ development camp last month, Boqvist really set himself apart from the other prospects. He was very noticeable in both the offensive zone and defensive zone. Training camp will start in a few weeks and then we’re onto preseason games.

Former Blackhawks’ defenseman, Brian Campbell, has been instrumental in Adam Boqvist’s rapid development. Campbell has helped Boqvist with game preparation, studying film, etc. You’re going to want to keep your eyes on number 27 in 2019-20.

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Adam Boqvist has a legitimate shot at wearing a Chicago Blackhawks’ sweater for the 2019-20 NHL season, especially with the state of the defense. The team will be looking for any kind of improvement over last season’s lackluster defensive unit, and that could very well include Boqvist. We will have to wait and see how these next few weeks pan out.

Even if Boqvist doesn’t start 2019-20 with the Blackhawks, I believe he will get a call-up from Rockford before the end of the season. The worst-case scenario is that he will play for the Rockford IceHogs for a season, and I’m okay with that, because I get to see more of him on a regular basis. The next era of Blackhawks’ hockey will be here before we know it and I cannot wait.