Chicago Blackhawks: The Ideal Role Brent Seabrook Can Play

The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of players they are going to have to use on their blue line next season; one such player is Brent Seabrook.

For better or worse, the Blackhawks are not going to be able to get rid of Brent Seabrook‘s contract next season. It is going to take way to much to get Seabrook off the books in a trade, so the ‘Hawks have to move forward with him.

Brent Seabrook deserves some credit. He worked hard these past few months, and he was ready to play in the qualifiers. While it did not work logistically, he showed everyone in that locker room how dedicated he is.

I do not think any other player in the NHL besides Brent Seabrook would find a way to recover from two hip surgeries and right shoulder surgery in six months. Even though he did not end up playing, he came to the camp in July before the qualifiers ready to go. That shows signs for hope for next season.

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Even if Brent Seabrook is not the top four defensemen he once was, he can still be useful. Seabrook is a prominent voice in the Blackhawks locker room and could be critical in being a mentor for the young guys moving forward.

Chicago is not going to go out and add any more defensemen this offseason. Instead, they are going to try and clear a few spaces on the roster to leave room for players like Ian Mitchell. I know Seabrook is not going to like the idea of playing the role of a seventh defenseman, but honestly, that might be what the team needs.

It is going to a punch to the gut to watch a player who takes up almost seven million in cap space sit out some games next season, but honestly, I think that is what the team needs. Seabrook’s ideal role for the team next season might be limited on the ice, but he can be as vocal as ever in the locker room.

We have not seen Seabrook play yet since having his surgeries. He might not be the same player we saw before. Maybe he has found a way to improve his game, or unfortunately, it might be a step in the wrong direction. Players get older, and their play declines over time; even Jaromir Jagr left the NHL eventually. In my mind, it is all worth it at the end of the day, as Seabrook brought this fantastic moment to the Blackhawks during the team’s years of success!

Seabrook is one of the most well liked guys in the Blackhawks locker room, and he is close with a lot of the players. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have some great chemistry, and if Seabrook comes back better than ever, maybe they will find some time paired up together.

Ideally, next season we are going to see Seabrook play a seventh defenseman role. Hopefully, he can break into the lineup and provide a spark for the team when they need it. However, who knows, maybe Seabrook will prove the world wrong, and he will come back better than ever next season!