Blackhawks: Three Takeaways from Adam Boqvist’s 2021 Season

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Adam Boqvist #27, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Adam Boqvist of the Chicago Blackhawks went through a lot during his second season in the NHL.

While there is a lot to potentially highlight as takeaways for this season, I think it is important to remember that Boqvist has still only played under 80 games in the NHL. The young pro is only 20 years old and still has a lot of time ahead of him before the Blackhawks can truly understand what kind of player he is.

The Chicago Blackhawks defense was not good, no one on that blue line was that great, even Connor Murphy struggled at times and he is supposed to be the team’s go-to defenseman. This team can improve, and they have the young players to do it without making too many big trades, although a few free agents could help the cause.

Adam Boqvist was drafted eight overall during the 2018 NHL draft, some three seasons later he is now finding himself paired alongside Duncan Keith on one of the team’s best units more often than not. The way his career started has me thinking something else would have been better for the young future core piece of the team.

1. Some time in the AHL probably would have helped

The Blackhawks might have rushed Adam Boqvist a little bit. There I said it. Similar to even Mitchell and Beaudin, some of these guys were not ready to make the jump to the NHL when they did.

While they did compete for a while eventually it turned into them just treading water and trying to keep up. I am all for the Blackhawks giving these players opportunities but if playing 20 plus minutes a night of meaningful hockey would be better for some of these guys then that is the route that needs to be taken.

2. Boqvist is not the clear-cut number one young defenseman.

I already mentioned how Boqvist could have been better off with some time in the AHL, not it is important to point out he is no longer that top guy. A year ago Boqvist was a leg up over everyone else. He and Kirby Dach were in a different league when it came to the prospects within the organization. Now I think Boqvist is back down to earth a little bit more.

The Blackhawks have potential defensemen like Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin, Wyatt Kalynuk, Riley Stillman, and Alec Regula all getting some time this past season. Honestly, I think I would rather see Kalynuk or Stillman over Boqvist when it comes to the team improving defensively.

While Boqvist might be the highest-drafted defenseman the team has, it is not about how high he is drafted it is about the success he can have with the team moving forward.

3. The potential is there offensively.

The Blackhawks are going to need all the help they can get the next couple of seasons. One thing this team needs is a defenseman that can put up 50 to 60 points during a season, and while Boqvist might not be there right now, he can get there eventually.

Adam Boqvist put up 16 points in 35 games with this team. He did so while only playing in 35 games and missing stretches of games along the way due to injuries. The Blackhawks’ future of the blue line depends on who can rise above the rest of the pack and deserves a spot on the team, and honestly, Boqvist cannot be counted out just yet.

The Playoffs Show that the Blackhawks Need More Elements to their Game

As long as Boqvist can get stronger and faster this off-season he will be in good shape next year. Young defensemen usually do not break into the league as quickly as Boqvist did, so now it is time for him to take things to the next level.

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Adam Boqvist of the Chicago Blackhawks went through a lot during his second season in the NHL.

1. Some time in the AHL probably would have helped

2. Boqvist is not the clear-cut number one young defenseman.

3. The potential is there offensively.

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