Top line expectations already forming for Kantserov

Many feel that the Chicago Blackhawks are in need of another top-six forward. By all reports, general manager Kyle Davidson will be aggressive in trying to acquire this summer. However, if he doesn’t land the big fish, there are two additions to the top six already here.

We got a small taste of what Anton Frondell brings to the team, and he didn’t look out of place on the second line. Roman Kantserov will make his NHL debut in the fall, and the expectation is for him to be a top-line forward from day one.

It’s Kantserov’s Spot to Lose

While nobody has come out and said it, it sure sounds like Kantserov is going to get his chance to play with Connor Bedard right away. And why not? The young Russian forward is coming off a big 36-goal season in the KHL, breaking Kirill Kaprizov’s record for the most goals by a player under 23. He could be the running mate for Bedard that the Blackhawks have been looking for over the last three seasons.

As Jeff Blashill told Scott Powers of The Athletic earlier this week, he wants to find one player to pair with Bedard, then mix and match the third player on the top line. Andre Burakovsky had that role for much of the season, even when he wasn’t producing. Kantserov should be a big upgrade next season.

“I think for certain finding a player that — almost a pair that accentuates his skill set and that other player’s skill set,” Blashill told Powers. “Connor’s a really, really smart hockey player, very, very highly intelligent, sees things that a lot of other guys don’t see. Coming into the league, he was known for his shot, but he’s equally as good a passer as a shooter, maybe better. And so, finding a linemate who has kinda that same level of offensive hockey smarts, can think to that level, can both probably pass it and shoot it, finding a guy that’s a pair for him, that is certainly important.”

Blashill’s description sure sounds a lot like Kantserov and what he brings to the ice. He showed in Russia that he can score highlight-reel goals while winning 50/50 battles and going to the net. He has the vision and hockey IQ to not only keep up with Bedard but also excel with him. As his interpreter, Vika Bulakhava, told Powers in another recent interview, he is confident he can play his game on the Blackhawks’ top line.

“If he’s going to play with Bedard, it’s to make sure that he’s not playing under him, but actually playing his own game,” Bulakhava interpreted. “And not missing the chances to shoot the puck and to play with the puck. But he’s open to wherever role it’s gonna be on the team, so he doesn’t have really much expectations. Wherever it will be, that will be.”

Blashill mentioned that Kantserov played a lot of center in the KHL last season, so that’s an option. However, the Blackhawks are content in starting the season with Bedard, Frondell, and Frank Nazar down the middle, so Kantserov is going to start his NHL career on the wing. It sure feels like the top-line winger position is his spot to lose.

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