If you're a young player gunning for the Chicago Blackhawks, this could be your
 year.

The Hawks currently have only ten forwards and six defensemen listed on their
official roster. A complete team usually carries 14 forwards, seven defensemen,
 and two goaltenders to make up a 23-man roster. Assuming the Hawks go with two
 goalies (most teams do), that leaves four forward spots and one defensive spot
 available.

We already discussed in our most recent roundtable that even with more cap
space, the Blackhawks trade options are limited, and would probably come at the
 price of one of the current rising stars. It could still happen, but chances
are the Hawks don't make another big trade before the season starts. With that
in mind, who will round out the extra spots? Let's take a look.Blackhawks
Projected Forward Lineup

Last preseason I wrote about Blackhawks forwards fighting for a spot on the
team. At the time, these were the set players.Brandon Saad-Jonathan
Toews-Richard PanikAlex DeBrincat-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick KanePatrick Sharp-Artem
 Anisimov-Ryan Hartman-Tanner Kero-

The Hawks also had a few free agent veteran signings that took precedence over
the youngsters. Lance Bouma, Tommy Wingels, and Tomas Jurco started the season
because they would have had to clear waivers if they were sent down to
Rockford. Not to mention Patrick Sharp coming back from the Dallas Stars. These
 veterans rounded out the lines.Last season Tommy Wingels was a veteran who
usurped a spot over the younger players for the Chicago Blackhawks. (Amy Irvin
/ The Hockey Writers)

But this year the only veteran addition at forward is the free agent signing of
 Chris Kunitz from the Tampa Bay Lightning. This leaves things a little more
open for the newbies. As of now, here's what a lineup could look like for the
Blackhawks based on the existing
roster.Saad-Toews-DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Kane-Anisimov-Dylan SikuraKunitz-Marcus
Kruger-John Hayden

Hayden and Sikura are both already listed on the roster and are two young
players with the best chance of making the team. While it's not a guarantee,
it's safe to say they have a good shot.

Hayden signed a two-year contract in June, leading one to believe he's part of
the Hawks' plans moving forward. He was one of the youngsters (along with
DeBrincat) that did crack the opening night roster last season. He suited up
for 47 games, contributing four goals and nine assists. The young forward
played mostly on the fourth line, providing grit, energy, and a physical
presence. Heck, he was credited with 118 hits. Towards the end of the year
Hayden was assigned to the team's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. There he
 became an integral member of their playoff push, and even contributed three
goals in 13 playoff games.Forward John Hayden has made some solid contributions
 with both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Rockford IceHogs. (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)

Sikura is another player that looks to be a lock. The Hawks burned the first
year of his two-year entry-level contract by playing him in the last five games
 of the 2017-18 season. The 22-year-old Northeastern graduate didn't
disappoint, earning three assists and showing he has the potential to
contribute right away. He';s slotted on the third line in the depth chart
above. But as a right winger and with his talent, could Sikura possibly plug
into the top line alongside Saad and Toews?Who Takes the Remaining Spots?

This leaves at least two open slots on the forward lines, as well as two
back-up spots. So who will fill in these positions?

Victor Ejdsell is someone to keep an eye on. He came over from the Nashville
Predators as part of the Ryan Hartman trade. Ejdsell impressed in his stint
with the IceHogs, notching seven goals and five assists in 13 playoff games.
His size and scoring abilities could come in handy for the Hawks.

Other IceHogs that excelled last season and could get extra looks at training
camp include: David Kampf, Matthew Highmore, Alexandre Fortin, Anthony Louis,
and Andreas Martinsen. A dark horse to watch is undrafted free agent Dominik
Kahun, who signed an entry level contract with the Hawks in May.Blackhawks
Projected Defensive Lineup

If you recall, last season can best be described as a train wreck on defense.
Head coach Joel Quenneville insisted on carrying eight defensemen for most of
the season. The constant rotation resulted in the the D-corps struggling to
find any kind of chemistry or cohesiveness.

Players such as Cody Franson, Gustav Forsling, and Erik Gustafsson all spent
time with the IceHogs as well as the big club. Connor Murphy, Jan Rutta, Jordan
 Oesterle, and Michal Kempny were frequent healthy scratches. Heck, even Brent
Seabrook was scratched for a game.Cody Franson is one of several defensemen who
 was part of an eight-man rotation with the Chicago Blackhawks last
season.(Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)

Fast forward to this upcoming season. Franson is still an unrestricted
free-agent who hasn't been re-signed by the Hawks. Oesterle was acquired by the
 Arizona Coyotes. Oh and then there's Kempny, who's a Stanley Cup Champion with
 the Washington Capitals. Yeah.

Here's what the defensive pairings could look like for the Blackhawks based on
the existing roster.Duncan Keith-MurphyGustafsson-SeabrookBrandon Manning-Rutta

Manning is the only newcomer, being a free agent signing from the Philadelphia
Flyers. Assuming Coach Q learns from his mistakes and only carries seven
defensemen this season, that leaves one spot available.Who Takes the Open Spot?

The most likely candidate for this slot would have been Forsling, who suited up
 for 41 games with the Blackhawks and 31 tilts for the IceHogs (including 13
playoff games). But the 22-year-old defenseman underwent wrist surgery at the
end of July. He looks to be sidelined for at least 14 weeks, which wouldn't
make him available until early November. This leaves the position open for
another youngster.Chicago Blackhawk';s defenseman Gustav Forsling had wrist
surgery over the summer, and isn';t projected back until early November. (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Current IceHog Carl Dahlstrom had a chance to suit up for 11 games with the
Blackhawks at the end of last season. He recorded three assists. Prospect Blake
 Hillman from the University of Denver signed with the Hawks at the end of
March, and participated in four games with the Hawks. He scored a goal. Both
will have a chance to show their worth at training camp. Other possible
candidates include prospect Lucas Carlsson out of Sweden, and Dennis Gilbert
from the University of Notre Dame.

A dark horse that might not be such a dark horse anymore could be Henri
Jokiharju. The 19-year-old was a 2017 first round draft pick by the Hawks, and
recently signed a three-year entry level contract with the team. He performed
well at the most recent prospect camp, and could do the same during training
camp.Related - An Early Look at the Blackhawks 2018-19 Schedule

It appears there will be more of a chance for youngsters to earn a spot in the
lineup this season for the Blackhawks. All this competition should make for an
exciting training camp and preseason. Whether it makes for a better team in
2018-19 remains to be seen. But at least we'll get to see a number of new
faces!

The post Opportunities Abound for Blackhawks Youngsters appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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