Which Chicago Blackhawks players will see time in Rockford this season?

On The NHL Bench

I think that the most likely candidates from the forwards group to start on the bench would be Joey Anderson, Craig Smith, and Pat Maroon.

I don't know which of them will start on opening night (though I lean towards Maroon), but I do think that Davidson brought these players in to add to the team's depth and I don't see any of them playing close to 82 games this year.

I think that the team will cycle through these three players as injuries or other unforeseen circumstances arise.

For the defensive corps, I see Isaak Philips and Wyatt Kaiser starting on the bench with TJ Brodie the most likely candidate to see some time as a healthy scratch as well.

I actually like the Hawks' defensive depth this season as Brodie is a really flexible player. He had a down year last season but he has experience playing anywhere in the lineup from D1-D6, and I think that versatility will benefit the Hawks greatly.

For Philips and Kaiser, they will both see time in the NHL and I think both can take advantage of that opportunity to show that they belong there. I don't know if either of them factor into the long-term plan, but both are young enough to prove to Davidson that he should factor them in. I'm rooting hard for both players.

All things considered, with injuries or poor play of a few players, I could see all the players mentioned above seeing NHL games this season.

Hopefully, when they do see those NHL games, the environment is right for them to come in and thrive. We do not want a repeat of last season, and the depth this team has currently should prevent such a situation from happening.