Get the latest updates on Chicago Blackhawks training camp as the Jeff Blashill era begins with exciting new storylines.

Chicago Blackhawks hockey is back. Training camp officially began on Thursday, Sept. 18, and the Jeff Blashill era started. What storylines are developing over on the West Side as the Hawks hit the ice?

Kyle Davidson’s Next Step

Kyle Davidson told the media that he expects to take another step forward. I mean, what else could he say? But that next step looks like Jeff Blashill hitting as a competent head coach, Connor Bedard taking a leap, and the kids looking good. I don’t really care where the Hawks finish in the standings this season, so long as the young players are as advertised. And that begins with who makes the roster out of camp.

The Blackhawks’ Blueline

Wyatt Kaiser signed his contract, a two-year deal with a $1.7 million AAV. The Hawks also brought on Matt Grzelcyk on a professional tryout (PTO). There’s some pressure for the Blackhawks’ young defenseman to prove they’re worthy of an NHL spot out of training camp—especially with a sweaty Grzelcyk glaring at them from the bench. Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Louis Crevier, and Ethan Del Mastro will be fighting for a spot—Sam Rinzel is basically locked in. Of that list, I only really care about Levshunov and Korchinski.

Want some unpopular takes? Levshunov should start in the NHL regardless. He plays better in the NHL instead of the AHL’s dump-and-chase style. Levshunov is also much more engaged against higher competition. I’d even argue that Kevin Korchinski starts in the NHL, too. His skating and offensive reads are better suited for the NHL than the AHL; he just needs to prove that he’s gotten more physical.

The Forwards

Roster spots for the forwards are more limited. There won’t be much of a battle other than a couple of spots at the bottom. Oliver Moore has a shot, although he’ll most likely end up in Rockford. Moore is insanely fast but has issues finishing. Nick Lardis will fight for an opening night spot, although it’s also likely that he spends time in Rockford. Whichever direction Lardis heads, his goal scoring will be the key to watch. How does it translate to the NHL? For what it’s worth, I do believe we have a second-line winger in Lardis.

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Others fighting for a spot include Landon Slaggert, Colton Dach, and Ryan Greene. Do I include Sam Lafferty’s name here? Sure. Why not.

Then there’s Reichel.

Lukas Reichel

Lukas Reichel has struggled. His name has been included as a potential trade piece. He was drafted in 2020 by Stan Bowman, so I don’t believe that Davidson is particularly attached to Reichel. But it could be time to move on. He looked great in the AHL and has struggled to adapt to the NHL’s aggressive style of play. If Reichel does have a comeback season, it’s also likely that Kyle Davidson uses him as a more valuable trade piece. As things stand, Reichel doesn’t have value on his own.

Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard’s contract will be a storyline, even though it shouldn’t. Bedard and the Blackhawks front office have made it very clear that neither party is in a rush to get this done. Bedard is entering his third season and has the opportunity to play for a fat payday. Blackhawks haters will focus on this as an issue, however. It’s best to ignore them. What shouldn’t be ignored is how Bedard looks. He’s worked on his speed during the offseason, to the point of forgoing the Men’s Worlds Championship. Bedard won’t have the excuse of being a teenager anymore. He needs to prove that he’s the generational talent we thought he was going to be, because that’s what we were sold.

But Bedard’s performance is a storyline bigger than training camp.

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