Blackhawks rank amongst league's worst teams in physicality through start of season

Through their first 12 games, the Chicago Blackhawks have shown their share of strengths and weaknesses. But one weakness stands out above the rest; their lack of physicality.

Physical play has been making a comeback around the league, especially in the playoffs. If the Blackhawks want to take the next step, they may need to add a gritty, physical players or get their current group to ramp it up. 

Chicago has the second-fewest hits in the league with 193, and the second-fewest blocked shots with 136; two areas where the team would love to improve. Playing with high tempo and physicality and making it hard for opponents to get shots off is what make teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights so difficult to beat. The Blackhawks need to start following that winning formula.

Chicago is building in the right direction with young players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar who are thriving as scoring options. But they still need role players that make the Blackhawks harder to play against. 

The fourth line of Cole Smith, Ryan Greene and Jordan Greenway has been one of the team's strengths this season, scoring one goal while allowing one as a unit. But changes elsewhere in the lineup may be needed.

The San Jose Sharks offer a possible template. They added physicality this offseason by bringing in Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba, and Kiefer Sherwood earlier, to make San Jose harder to play against. 

This season, the Sharks rank top five in hits and top 12 in blocked shots. Teams around the league likely know they can physically impose themselves on Chicago, and the Blackhawks would love to change that.

Possible solutions around the league

There are several player profiles that Chicago could target, like Vancouver Canucks forward Paul Cotter. He is a pending free agent that would be a low-cost scoring option, with seven points in 13 games. He also brings physicality, ranking in the top 16 with 43 hits this season.

Chicago also has no defenseman ranking in the top 60 in blocked shots. A possible fix could be a defenseman like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler, a 32-year-old veteran who isn't afraid to get in front of the puck. He has the sixth-most blocked shots with 32, tied with his teammate Travis Sanheim.

Both fit the type of players the Blackhawks should consider adding if they want to improve in both areas, and neither would require a major investment. This would help address the biggest weaknesses in Chicago's game. Opponents will keep leaning on Chicago until the team proves they can push back. 

Whether general manager Kyle Davidson looks outside the organization or gets more from the current roster, the Blackhawks need to become harder to play against. The sooner they do, the sooner they can start following the path of other teams that have proven it can make a major difference in winning and losing games.

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