Now is the time for Wyatt Kaiser to cement himself in the Blackhawks' long-term plans

Since joining the NHL, Wyatt Kaiser has been a solid and reliable left-handed defenseman on the second or third pairing. He has been a key piece on the Blackhawks blue line. Despite not being a 20-30 point offensive defenseman, he is a solid B-tier guy. However, he needs to perform this year. With his 2-year $3.4 million deal coming to an end, this year is his year to prove he is here to stay.

Having only scored 35 points in his four-year NHL career, Kaiser has proven his role is that of a stay-at-home defenseman. He is confident moving the puck but isn’t a powerhouse when it comes to scoring. What has stood out about Kaiser is his skating. He skates well and can often tussle with the best of the best. Although with what looks like a very open spot on the left side of the blue line, his production may need to increase this year.

While being a relied-on second pairing player, Kaiser has often shown flashes of brilliance in his career and has proved he can play to the NHL standard. His speed and smooth edge work have often proved to be a wildcard for the Blackhawks defense. Being a smaller and nimble guy out back gives them some variety, compared to bigger guys like Alex Vlasic. What Kaiser has excelled in during his time in Chicago is his ability to play under pressure and play smart against some of the very best players, a quality that means a lot in today's NHL.

Kaiser faces major competition for his spot

This year is so important for Kaiser simply because of how competitive his spot on the second pairing looks. Young prospects like former seventh overall pick Kevin Korchinski could challenge him for a spot. Korchinski could potentially really up his game this year and take charge of that second painting spot behind Vlasic. Kaiser isn’t just trying to maintain his spot on the Blackhawks roster in the NHL. He is going to need to reach that next level in order to be a long-term player with an upwards trajectory.

Heading into the year, Kaiser's maturity and NHL experience are likely to earn him a spot. Further improvement could mean the coaching staff would see him as a trustworthy option for the future. However, in particular, the Blackhawks 34th overall pick this year, Xavier Villeneuve, could be a massive threat to Kaiser in the future. With how well thought of he is as a prospect, he could fit right into that spot eventually. Many have explained Villeneuve as a boom-or-bust type of player. If he reaches the level he is expected to, Kaiser will need to be at the top of his game this season and beyond.

Kaiser has been a fan favorite for the Blackhawks on the blue line. His nimble and tricky skating has impressed many, and he often makes some really nice plays when given the opportunity. He doesn’t bring many points, but he rarely puts in a bad performance. However, with some solid young talent breathing down his neck, it will be a big season for the defenseman.

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