Joey Anderson likely made the third line because of Lukas Reichel's poor preseason and the team because three prospects were not being able to clear a high bar to make the roster.
There was a chance that Anderson might not make the opening night roster when camp started. The Hawks were hoping Reichel would play well enough to skate among the top six. Nazar was trying to win the second-line center job.
Slaggert and Dach were trying to beat out Anderson for one of the final forward spots.
It was going to be a high bar to clear for Slaggert and Dach to make the team. They were not able to clear it. The same can be said for Nazar, and unfortunately, the game he needed to have came last night when the decision had already been made to send him to Rockford.
Anderson might also benefit from Reichel's terrible preseason as if Joey managed to survive Slaggert and Dach's push to make the roster, he would likely be the extra forward.
Reichel was so bad this preseason that he was the healthy scratch in the team's dress rehearsal for the season on Friday night. Anderson was on the third line.
After getting destroyed by Minnesota and Reichel playing better last night, maybe the youngster will still get ice time, and Anderson or another veteran will be the healthy scratch. Still, Anderson has a cloudy path to make the roster and now he is on solid ground.