Why it is important that the Blackhawks have Colton Dach playing in the Calder Cup Playoffs

Colton Dach showed promise that he can be a physical presence on the ice for the Chicago Blackhawks.

He also has to prove he can stay on the ice as he suffered an elbow injury toward the end of the season that kept him out of the Hawks' final 13 games. An injury last season limited him to just 48 games with the Chicago Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

That is why Dach getting back on the ice to help the IceHogs in the Calder Cup Playoffs is good to see.

It is allowing Dach, who showed enough promise in 25 NHL games that he should be a key part of the next good Blackhawks team, to finish the season getting some more professional ice time.

Dach had two goals and five assists during his first taste of NHL action. He also had 12 goals and 14 assists in 33 games for the IceHogs this season.

Dach made his presence felt in Game 1 of the IceHogs series against the Milwaukee Admirals when he called game with an overtime goal.

Who knows if Dach will be a forward capable of playing on the top two lines. He can go win puck battles and provide the physical presence needed to skate with Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar.

The key is being consistent as he is one of the few young forwards the team has that provide size to the forward group.

The need for size and skill among its prospect group is one reason it would be a good idea for the Blackhawks to draft Michael Misa. Although that all depends on where the team's first-round pick ends up after Monday's NHL Draft Lottery.

Since there is no guarantee that the Hawks will be picking in the top three--they can draft as low as fourth--right now Dach's development is pivotal to the rebuild having success since he is one of the few big forwards they have in the farm system.

That is why Dach finishing the season on the ice and not on injured reserve is nice to see