This is the Blackhawks’ most important training camp battle

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to have some interesting decisions to make as training camp gets underway, especially when it comes to the depth forward spots.

Andrew Mangiapane, Cole Smith and Jordan Greenway are three of the veterans competing for limited space in the lineup. Right now, there appear to be two spots available for those three players, but that number is going to change once Connor Bedard returns from injury.

The Blackhawks have some important decisions to make

Bedard is expected to return at some point in the first two or three months of the season, which means Chicago will eventually have just one forward spot available between Mangiapane, Smith and Greenway. That makes training camp pretty important for all three players.

The Blackhawks aren't going to want to move one of their young forwards just to make room, either. Ryan Greene, Oliver Moore and Anton Frondell are all players Chicago wants to see develop. So, it would only make more sense to send them down to the AHL if they absolutely need to, not just to open a spot for one of these three veterans.

Of course, that could change if one of the young players struggles during camp. Chicago has to do what is best for each player's development, and spending some time in the AHL wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. But the expectation should be that the Blackhawks want to see what their young players can do.

Mangiapane has plenty of NHL experience and knows what it takes to play in a bottom-six role. Greenway brings size and physicality, while Smith has also shown that he can give a team some energy and defensive play. There isn't a massive difference between what the three are trying to offer, which could make this an interesting battle to watch.

The Blackhawks also have to think about what their lineup will look like once Bedard is back. A player who makes the team out of camp could find himself out of the lineup later in the season simply because there isn't enough room for everyone. Which is a good problem for Chicago to have.

The Blackhawks are coming out of their rebuild and are starting to reach the point where there are more players competing for NHL jobs. A few years ago, they were looking for players to fill spots. Now they have to start figuring out which players deserve to keep them. For Mangiapane, Smith and Greenway, that could come down to who has the best training camp. There are only so many spots available, and with Bedard eventually returning, the Blackhawks won't be able to keep everyone around.

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