Blackhawks Projected Forward Lineup: After Day 1 of Free Agency

The Blackhawks signed 3 players today, in Andreas Athanasiou, Max Domi and Colin Blackwell. All forwards that aren't exactly stars, but could become decent players for the team, and are guys that are looking for bounce back seasons on a rebuilding team. After day 1, here is what the Blackhawks forward lineup could look like, and should look like in my opinion:

Johnson - Reichel - Kane

Kurashev - Toews - Raddysh

Athanasiou - Domi - Blackwell

Katchouk - Khaira - Entwistle

Jujhar Khaira is obviously battling injuries and it's something the Blackhawks need to watch, but he is a really physical player and an ideal 4th line centremen. Having all 3 newly signed forwards on the same line is also a huge risk, but I'm sure there will be plenty of movement in the lineup throughout the entirety of the season. Domi and Athanasiou are two guys I can see thriving really well together right from the jump. Their games could end up complementing each other very well and we could see them both have really decent seasons.

I feel like the Blackhawks will be looking to add a 3rd line Right Wing, as well as a top 6 forward in the coming weeks. Blackwell is a guy I don't see starting the season in the 3RW position, but like I mentioned, there will be tons of movement. I feel like this is the season you experiment a little. Try Toews and Kane together and apart, move the new guys in and out of the top 6, bring some minor leaguers up and keep them in and out of the rotation.

This season will be huge for development of rookies and younger players such as Raddysh and Reichel because we all know it won't be a competitive year for the team, so the main focus should be acquiring assets and developing who you want as part of the future.