3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks setting their 23-man roster for opening night

The Chicago Blackhawks finished a rough preseason on a high note.

The Blackhawks crushed the St. Louis Blues 6-2 in a showcase for the team's fan base in Milwaukee. It was a showcase in which already demoted prospects Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert, and Colton Dach got briefly recalled to play.

It was done so the Hawks did not have to risk injuries to the players who made the final cut.

However, Connor Bedard did play. Since this was a showcase and the Hawks are having trouble keeping Connor off the ice, it was no surprise he played.

Nazar, Slaggert, and Dach were returned to Rockford after the game. That means the 23-man roster for opening night in Utah has been set.

There are three takeaways from the Hawks setting the initial 23.

Nolan Allan surprisingly made the cut.

It is surprising for three reasons. First, he did not get a cup of coffee with the team last season, while fellow prospects such as Ethan Del Mastro, Isaak Philips, Wyatt Kaiser, and Louis Crevier did.

Second, when camp started, it looked like those four along with Kevin Korchinski had a better shot at starting the season with the Hawks.

Third, the Hawks front office prefers having their blueliners log as much time as possible in Rockford.

Now, the roster spot likely would have gone to Kaiser had an illness not placed him on IR. Philips' time with the team last year and having more time logged with the IceHogs would have figured to have given him a leg up on Allan.

Instead, Allan appears to have won a spot as the club requested waivers on Philips.

Allan did have a goal last night set up by a nifty pass from Bedard.

Head coach Luke Richardson liked Allan's physical play, especially yesterday. Allan likely will only be up until Kaiser comes off IR. Although the Hawks are a player under the roster limit right now.

It could mean Kaiser might be on his way back or the team has another roster move it will make.

General manager Kyle Davidson was not kidding that the younger players had to earn a roster spot.

Davidson signed a bunch of veterans in the offseason with the idea of raising the standards. He also wanted to make sure none of the highly touted prospects like Nazar or Slaggart were just handed a roster spot.

Considering Allan, Bedard, and Reichel are the only players on the roster 22 or younger, it proves Dadvison was not bluffing.

Korchinski is going to start the season with the IceHogs despite playing 76 games last year in the NHL during his rookie season.

The reason is the front office wants to make sure every prospect brought into the organization is given ample development time. Korchinski playing 76 games without any AHL experience was an anomaly since he was not eligible to play for Rockford. Now that he has reached the minimum age requirement, the team wants him to refine his game there.

Korchinski, Nazar, Slaggert, Del Mastro, and Dach would have needed to wow every time they stepped onto the ice to win a NHL job.

While the veteran-laden lineup looked awful last Friday, there is a method to this madness, as it allows the Hawks to avoid rushing unprepared players up just to give the illusion of hope. It does not mean those prospects will not be up at some point this season.

Injuries or poor performance means these prospects will likely be up later in the season. It is good to make sure these youngsters know nothing is handed to them in the NHL. Hopefully, that is a good lesson they learn, and they continue their development in Rockford.