Blackhawks Camp Talk: Alternate Solutions

From all intents and purposes, the Chicago Blackhawks will be playing Connor Bedard tomorrow if today’s pairings were any indication. That’s of course what fans are hoping to see when they likely pack the United Center for an exhibition tilt with the Central Division rival St. Louis Blues tomorrow.

But the first of many alternate solutions from last season is starting with the power play. With a little more firepower, the Blackhawks will have alternate solutions to finding the back of the net. The first of many tune up before the regular season starts tomorrow.

“I think we’re keeping really simple structure in the beginning and see what we have,” head coach Luke Richardson said. “We know what Connor can do, but we haven’t seen him do at it this level and with these types of players. So we want to see who works best with him, where he works best, and what works best for the team.”

Bedard on a power play unit is an immediate upgrade if the scrimmage and Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase was an indication.  But having Bedard on one line allows for the other anticipated rookie in Lukas Reichel being on the other.

Good puck movement here from second power-play unit of Reichel, Athanasiou, Kurashev, Foligno and Korchinski. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/KHfiuA6pEn

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 27, 2023

Then again, maybe Bedard and Reichel are working together at some point. Whatever is determined, certainly can be considered a step forward.

Blackhawks Alternate Captains Named

Another alternative? How about the alternate captains including a couple guys acquired in the offseason for tomorrow’s game?

The tweet initially up was taken down by the Blackhawks and Ben Pope also reported via Twitter that it’s apparently just for the game tomorrow.

Well, someone screwed up! The Blackhawks' announcement of their alternate captains was supposed to be referring just to tomorrow's preseason game, not for the entire season. So scratch that news…

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 27, 2023

So about tomorrow:

Nick Foligno has been talked about at length by just what seems to be about every player on the roster. His leadership skills are second to none so him immediately getting an A, a few seasons removed from being a captain, is hardly surprising.

Corey Perry isn’t a surprise either, acquired via trade to bring another element of leadership, experience, and toughness on the ice and in the locker room.

Both Seth Jones and Connor Murphy had an A last season and it’s no surprise that they’re first as the final pair for tomorrow’s game.

Old but New News: Kane Skating Again

Nope, he won’t be back in Chicago, but it’s certainly newsworthy:

Putting in the work day in and day out. @88PKane is gearing up for season 17 in the NHL. 💪@caa_sports pic.twitter.com/MpHHRmw5ml

— CAA Hockey (@CAAHockey) September 27, 2023

Kane already talked about taking his time with his decision, and boy is there an interested contingency of Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings fans watching this one closely.

He looks lighter and quicker–hardly the guy laboring at times last season which is admirable knowing that trade rumors hung over his head dating back to the 2022 NHL Draft.

Where will Kane land? Alternate theories are encouraged.