Here’s how the Blackhawks’ opening day roster shapes up.
Forwards
Bryan Bickell: Winger steps it up in playoffs, but needs to find consistency during regular season.
Daniel Carcillo: Added to the roster late to agitate opponents and provide toughness when needed.
Marian Hossa: At 35, veteran winger is still a dominant player at both ends of the ice.
Patrick Kane: Dynamic playmaker is coming into his prime and appears poised for a huge season.
Marcus Kruger: Solidifies the middle of the fourth line with good defense and penalty killing.
Jeremy Morin: Appears finally to be getting his shot to prove he has the talent to be effective NHL player.
Brad Richards: Hawks’ key free-agent signing should be rejuvenated after some down seasons with Rangers.
Brandon Saad: The player they call “Man Child” could make leap into upper echelon of NHLers this season.
Patrick Sharp: Coming off a career year, veteran winger is lethal scorer and still solid defensively.
Andrew Shaw: Scrappy forward can play center or wing, and does whatever it takes to get the job done.
Ben Smith: A regular on the fourth line who has the ability to play with top six if called upon.
Jonathan Toews: An annual Hart Trophy candidate as the league’s MVP with stellar play in all zones.
Kris Versteeg: Had a terrific camp but will miss the first three weeks with a lower-body injury.
Defensemen
Kyle Cumiskey: Veteran of 132 NHL games won a job in camp after playing in Europe the last two seasons.
Niklas Hjalmarsson: Shot-blocking machine quietly goes about his business of being one of the top defenseman in the league.
Duncan Keith: The two-time Norris Trophy winner as NHL best defenseman just keeps getting better and better.
Johnny Oduya: Puck-mover is the unsung hero of the Hawks’ back end. Solid everywhere on the ice.
Michal Rozsival: Coming off a difficult season, he needs to find consistency to remain in the lineup.
David Rundblad: Has been waiting in the wings for his chance and trade of Nick Leddy gives it to him.
Brent Seabrook: The Yin to Keith’s Yang, veteran is a big hitter who provides offense with a heavy shot.
Trevor van Riemsdyk: Surprise of training camp came out of nowhere to win a job. Shows poise beyond his 23 years.
Goaltenders
Corey Crawford: Confident and technically sound, veteran appears ready to join ranks of elite goalies in NHL.
Antti Raanta: Solid backup still is adjusting to life as a non-starter and needs to learn to keep game sharp during long layoffs.
Projected lines:
Sharp, Toews, Hossa
Saad, Shaw, Kane
Bickell, Richards, Smith
Carcillo, Kruger, Morin
Defense pairings
Keith-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-van Riemsdyk/Cumiskey/Rozsival
Oduya-Rundblad
Goaltenders
Crawford, Raanta
