Will Sacha Boisvert make the opening night roster?

This month, we are looking at storylines to watch for each player going into the 2026-27 season.

The Chicago Blackhawks' forward group got more crowded this summer with the additions of Patrick Kane, Jordan Greenway, and Cole Smith. But roster competition never stops. Especially with Connor Bedard out to start the season.

When it comes to 20 year old Sacha Boisvert, who made his NHL debut last season, he is someone that could surprise going into training camp.

What was learned about Boisvert

Boisvert signed his entry-level contract and made his Blackhawks' debut in March, with two points in seven games. Head coach Jeff Blashill planned to ease him into the lineup to see where he fit, and Boisvert ended up mainly in a fourth-line center role. He brought a physical, hard-nose game to the roster, but the coaching staff also believes in his scoring ability to come.

Blashill said what he wanted to see from him in the final stretch in April, "I think play to his strengths. I think he can bring a physicality to our team. Going back to the question earlier, he can bring that kind of physicality. He's a guy who's willing to stick up for his teammates. He's already showing that. He's got a really good shot. I think it's just, again, he's another really young player who's playing center tonight, and so that's a hard thing, right? And so just kind of growing his game as he's in... I thought every game he's played, he's gotten better and better. I think the game slowed down for him a little bit, and that's a positive thing for him and us.”

There were games he played, and there were also some games he was a healthy scratch and could learn from observing.

Therefore, in the seven game stint, Boisvert seemed to take a lot away from it.

When Boisvert was at development camp in July, he said what he was working on, "Well, you know, obviously just adding on some weight, putting the work in. It's all that really is, you know, just keep developing. Just working with the guys that are here in Chicago, working with the guys back home, and just keep moving forward. And then just change some stuff in my routine, like whether it's going to the chiro, getting my hips checked, my ankle, mobility, and all that stuff. It's just little details, and at the end of the day, it's cliche to say the details make a difference, but they really do make a big difference."

Will Boisvert make a strong case to make the team?

He can.

Boisvert is certainly going to try to make the team's decision tough. General manager Kyle Davidson talked about wanting a change in dynamic to the bottom-six going into next season, hence the additions of Greenway and Smith. Boisvert's game does fit into what the Blackhawks want to see from that line of bringing more physicality and being harder to play against.

So, Boisvert will get a good opportunity. And what he does have on his side is a little more knowledge and confidence from his NHL time.

"Yeah, definitely helps me; confidence and everything. But also just seeing the pros with the lifestyle they live, they get prepared and everything. Just getting to see that day in (and) day out. Being up here is awesome. It kind of changed my mentality on everything, and then gives me some momentum moving forward to summer."

Boisvert could potentially start with the Rockford IceHogs next season. But there is also a chance he could force the Blackhawks' hand if he has a good training camp.

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