Jeff Blashill talks up this overlooked Blackhawks player and fans should be excited

One young Chicago Blackhawks player has quietly been enjoying an outstanding run in his chances with the team. In 13 games this season, Oliver Moore has just six points and two goals across 13:10 of average total ice time.

He's not the most physical player out there, but he can cause problems for opponents as a solid middle-six forward. And he's been carving out a role for himself on this Blackhawks team, something head coach Jeff Blashill noted on Monday.

When asked about Moore, Blashill said, "If I were to say there's an identity play for Oliver Moore, it would be in the third period when he forechecked, created the turnover, passed it out to Frankie (Nazar) for a real slot chance.

"Like that to me is where Ollie's going to build his identity. Pressing on the forecheck, creating those turnovers, and he can make lots of plays in quick spaces there from below the goal line. He's going to be that more than he's going to be kind of a stick-and-hammer guy through the neutral zone."

Oliver Moore is one overlooked player raring to work wonders for the Blackhawks

Oliver Moore's success won't reflect in point production. Brewing stars like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, plus seasoned veterans like Andre Burakovsky, Teuvo Teravainen, and Tyler Bertuzzi, will capitalize on scoring goals and racking up assists. 

But players like Moore will make that happen, as Blashill hinted. He's the one who will do the dirty work, jam an opponent on the forecheck, win the puck battle, then quickly find one of the more high-octane players entering the zone.

Players like Moore open up opportunities for everyone else. And if you look at some of his more advanced numbers, he's already making that happen. At even strength, he has an 11.6 on-ice shooting percentage, indicating that he's playing his role well when on the ice. His 54.4 offensive zone starting percentage is fifth on the team among players who have started at least 13 contests.

Oliver Moore will only get better as he settles more into his role

As of Tuesday, Moore has just 22 games of NHL experience and 10 points to show for it. So, if he's already making an impact now, what will it be in the coming seasons when the Blackhawks only start to get better?

Expect him to make a quiet impact on most evenings, logging a half-point per game, on average, if he's enjoying a productive season, but generally putting the team's stars in a position to shine. Most fans will never know Moore for much, other than the fact he's skating middle-six minutes, but those following the game closely will appreciate his impact, much like Bashill has.

When you're watching stars like Bedard and Nazar produce and put up outstanding numbers, pay close attention to who's creating the sequences and giving them those chances. Moore will be the catalyst, and Blashill will remind everyone that Moore's impact won't go unnoticed.