2020-21 Chicago Blackhawks Season Still Uncertain

The future line-up for the Chicago Blackhawks should look similar to the following (not in positional order):

1st Line: Kubalik – Toews – Suter(?)/Shaw

The first line is a serious offensive threat, with Jonathan Toews still a superstar center, and a blossoming sniper in Dominik Kubalik. Pius Suter is a question mark, but if he is as good as the (at least) nine teams fighting for his services think, Suter could be another European steal for the Blackhawks. If Suter doesn’t make the team, he will most likely go back to Europe.

If Andrew Shaw is healthy, I can see him on this line to cause havoc in front of the net and dish out crushing hits. The strategy I find them doing is a carry-in and possess the puck in the zone and shooting the puck after three passes. If the opponents run a 1-4 defense, stacking at center ice, a chip and chase with Shaw would work as well.

2nd Line: Debrincat – Dach – Kane

I find this line to be the potential first line. With a natural-born sniper in Alex Debrincat, a bonafide Hall of Famer in Patrick Kane, and a new-and-improved Kirby Dach, this line will be scary to play against.

Kane can pass the puck better than anyone in the league (in my biased opinion), Debrincat can shoot the puck from anywhere and bury it, and Dach is just a threat everywhere and when he gets confident with his shot… Watch out. This line will also carry and possess, aiming for a SOG after three passes. Any more than three passes is an accident waiting to happen with this team.

3rd Line: Janmark – Carpenter – Highmore

This line is a defender’s nightmare. With a dump and chase entry, followed by an aggressive, intelligent 2-1-2 forecheck, the defense will not have a good time trying to start a breakout play from their own zone. The 2-1-2 forecheck works as two forwards will cause havoc in the zone while one forward covers center ice, with two defenders at the blue line.

You cover any forward trying to get past the D as both are at the blue line, covering any potential breakaways, while the forward at center ice checks the puck carrier on an entry play. They also can provide depth offense with the addition of Janmark, and Carpenter and Highmore both provided some offense in the postseason.

4th Line: Wallmark – Kampf – Barratt/Hagel/Shaw

The 4th line will be about the same in strategy and impact defensively as the third line. The other team should know that these three will do their best to make life miserable with an aggressive forecheck and finished checks if their strategy is drawn upright.

Extras: Nylander (please no), Hagel/Barratt, Entwistle

The defense is going to be looking a little better this year thanks to the addition of a few players.

1st pair: Keith – Boqvist

Duncan Keith has been a permanent staple on the first line pairing since he entered the league, and it is his job to hand the torch to Adam Boqvist. Has Boqvist missed coverages and made mistakes? Yes, but he is only 20 years old with a ton of time to grow and develop. I see them with the third or first-line in-game if line changes go right.

Second pair: de Haan – Mitchell

Ian Mitchell has been a hyped prospect, said to be a “game-changer”, for a long time now. He will have a mentor in de Haan on this line as he learns how to play in the NHL. de Haan is an established, proven defender who, with the right system, can make an impact and play against the other team’s top guys. Mitchell will also learn from Keith, but having a veteran in de Haan on his line could make life easier for him.

Third pair: Zadorov – Murphy

This is the bruising, punishing pairing the Chicago Blackhawks have not had in a long time. Zadorov and Murphy both do not pass up an opportunity to hit the opponent, not to mention Zadorov is one of the hardest hitters in the league. Both are also great in their own zone, as Murphy was probably the best defenseman on the Chicago Blackhawks last year. This will be a nightmare d-pairing to play against.

Extras: Seabrook, Carlsson

With two scoring forward lines and two checking lines, two skilled defense pairings with one bruising pairing, the forwards and defense look promising. But, we now come to the major question mark of the season: Goaltending

The Chicago Blackhawks major question mark is going to be goaltending, and that is not going to change.

With Collin Delia and Malcolm Subban as the only two goalies under contract to play with minimal experience in the NHL, this is not a bright spot for the Blackhawks. Their age doesn’t do them any favors either, with both goalies being 26 years of age.

Collin Delia looks to be the better of the two goalie options, making desperation saves here and there during his time as the backup. He finished with a 7-5-3 record with a 3.65 GAA and a .906 save percentage. He accomplished this behind a worse defense core than he would play behind this year. With an improved defense, Delia could thrive as the starter, but that won’t be known until the season starts.

Malcolm Subban would be the backup, but he isn’t the best option to go back to if Delia struggles. Behind a strong, defensive team like the Vegas Golden Knights, Subban finished with a 9-7-3 record, and a 0.890 save percentage and a 3.18 GAA. The save percentage is the question mark here. If he couldn’t have a 0.900 save percentage with Vegas, I don’t think he will fare very well playing goal behind a worse defense core the Blackhawks currently possess. This is solely based off of the stats and the fact Subban played 19 games for the Golden Knights and earned a 0.890 SV% is questionable. Stats wise, Delia should be the starter, with Subban as the backup.

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• These Lineup Changes could Solve the Blackhawks’ Scoring Problem

The Blackhawks are riding unproven goaltenders this coming season, and they can make or break the season. The superstar veterans of the team have been vocal in their disappointment and frustration with the direction of the team.

Stan Bowman has said that they are going to focus on the development of their young players moving forward. Fans may not like this because this means that Jeremy Colliton will be here for a while. But Colliton has been said to have a knack for developing young prospects into quality NHL players.

Stan Bowman made multiple trades in the offseason, sending quality players for an underwhelming return. But I do think that, with the up-and-coming young prospects on the way, and IF the goaltenders perform, the ‘Hawks won’t be rebuilding but stacking up at the trade deadline for the playoffs. Their system needs to change, but they added the right pieces to become a blackhorse contender.

Will the Hawks be a playoff team? Honestly, only time will tell.