Projecting the Chicago Blackhawks roster for next season ahead of free agency

The Chicago Blackhawks just wrapped up an NHL Draft where the front office added a ton of size to the prospect pool. However, all the players chosen are not going to help this club immediately.

The team's top pick, Anton Frondell, is the only player the Hawks selected who has a slight chance of skating in an NHL game next season. It will likely be at the end of the season after he wraps up skating for his Swedish club.

That means the Blackhawks have to use free agency to find some upgrades that will help the team get out of the Central Division's cellar.

However, the Athletic's NHL senior writer and Blackhawks co-beat writer, Mark Lazerus recently hinted the Hawks are going to have a quiet offseason despite having massive cap space.

That means star player Connor Bedard has to take his game to another level. Also, emerging star Frank Nazar has to take the next step toward being an All-Star.

The young defensive group and goalie Spencer Knight has to grow up quickly if the team wants to improve in the standings.

It sounds like Bedard is ready to kick his game into the next gear.

One reason for a potential light free agent spending spree is that general manager Kyle Davidson does want to roll with the younger players ready to contribute at the NHL level. He also wants to give a path to those prospects who still need some time in the AHL to get ready for the next level. Davidson does not want some expensive free agent and a long-term contract taking up a spot that a younger, cheaper player can fill.

However, looking at this potential opening night roster, it would be nice if the team spent a little more in the offseason.

Forwards

Top Line: Tyler Bertuzzi-Connor Bedard-Ryan Donato

Second Line: Teuvo Teravainen-Frank Nazar-Ilya Mikheyev

Third Line: Landon Slaggert-Oliver Moore-André Burakovsky

Fourth Line: Nick Foligno-Jason Dickinson-Lukas Reichel/Colton Dach

Ryan Greene can also make a case to make the opening night roster, but it would not be a shock to see him sent to Rockford to start the season. If Moore has a poor preseason like Nazar did last year, it would not be shocking to see him start with the IceHogs.

Donato coming back makes him a candidate to start on the top line. However, it would be great to an elite free agent to give Bedard a better player to skate with, while moving Donato a bit down just in case he does regress.

Defense

Pairing 1: Alex Vlasic - Sam Rinzel

Pairing 2: Wyatt Kaiser - Artyom Levshunov

Pairing 3: Kevin Korchinski - Connor Murphy

Extra: Louis Crevier

Not much has changed from the last time check in when it comes to what the defense will look like next season.

Ethan Del Mastro or Nolan Allan could push Kevin Korchinski or Wyatt Kaiser from one of the pairings with a strong preseason. They could also move Crevier, who was tendered a qualifying offer, off being the extra defenseman. If Murphy is traded, then those two could also battlie it out for the final pairing.

Adding a veteran could still be a possibility, since it is a lot to ask Murphy to tutor so many young players. That veteran could be the extra defender and let Crevier skate regularly in Rockford.

If someone has to sit in the press box, let it be Crevier, since Del Mastro and Allan still have more upside. Those two can continue to get regular ice time with the IceHogs and come up once Murphy is traded. One of them can even be dealt.

Goaltender

No. 1: Spencer Knight

No. 2: Arvid Soderblom

Soderblom has also been tendered a contract. The only way he is leaving is if another team gives him an offer sheet.

Otherwise, if he signs his tender or gets a longer deal, he should be the backup for Knight, since he is younger than Laurent Brossoit. Brossoit's knee issue made him seem like a myth, as a late offseason procedure was only supposed to keep him a few weeks. It turned out to be the entire season.

If he is back healthy, he was considered one of the backup netminders in the game, so trying to trade him makes sense.