The Chicago Blackhawks have become accustomed to adding and subtracting pieces over the last several years, and the fans are starting to adapt much faster. However, the losses of Andrew Shaw, Teuvo Teravainen, and Brandon Saad were bound to blister like a third-degree burn.
Still, each year Stan Bowman has managed to somehow ice a complete team that is always a contender, if not a Cup favorite. That alone is a feat in the salary cap era. He has done so with some savvy trades (adding Artem Anisimov, Antoine Vermette, and Andrew Ladd) and some outstanding free agent signings (Artemi Panarin, Michal Kempny, and Brian Campbell).
While there are still a couple of months remaining until the start of the new season, the latest development camp started this past Sunday and will run right up to the annual Blackhawks Convention on Friday afternoon. As always it is a small taste of the future for the Blackhawks as many of the top prospects and a few undrafted invitees will hit the ice and compete for spots that might still be vacant at the NHL level.
This year, there are more spots open than ever and these prospects are hungry to prove their worth to the coaching staff, front office, and the team that has given them their shot. Here are a few that just might be ready to make the leap for the Blackhawks in the near future.
Nick Schmaltz
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’0
Weight: 172 lb.
Born: Verona, WI, 2/23/96
Twitter: @thisisnick_09
Schmaltz is one of the team’s most exciting prospects ahead of this season. He recently signed with the Blackhawks after his sophomore season with the University of North Dakota where he was a part of the National Championship winning team.
Everyone sat on pins and needles awaiting his decision to return to UND or sign with the Blackhawks. The wealth of opportunities available a the NHL level for this coming season was almost certainly a motivating factor for the young forward.
He is a versatile player who may be looked at to fill the substantial void left by Finnish phenom Teravainen. He is almost certain to make his debut with the Blackhawks this season, and could perhaps make the jump right out of training camp.
The hallmark of Schmaltz’s game is his playmaking ability. Schmaltz is capable if playing in many situations and is a solid two-way forward with excellent stickhandling and passing skills that could regularly contribute at the NHL level. He is a big game type of player who leaves it all on the ice which should help him in a locker room filled with big names that love big stages.
Ryan Hartman
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190 lb.
Born: West Dundee, IL, 9/20/95
Twitter: @RHartzy18
Hartman is a gritty, undersized forward who will get to the front of the net and work for the puck in corner battles. While he is on the smaller side, he plays a big game and won’t shy away from a physical style of play. If this sounds familiar, that’s because he plays a very similar game to the recently departed Andrew Shaw.
Hartman will be looking to capitalize on that void and solidify his own place within the Blackhawks organization. If he can replicate Shaw’s style of play at the NHL level, he will quickly become a favorite of Joel Quenneville’s and could find a regular spot in the lineup.
Like Shaw, Hartman is capable of playing at center or wing and is adept at finding his ways into the dirty areas of the ice where he can capitalize on opportunities and grab those game-changing greasy goals.
Fans are still raw over Shaw’s departure, but Hartman may be able to ease their pain a bit. It remains to be seen whether he has that personality that is as big as his heart like Shaw does, but it is safe to assume he will find his way back to the NHL this season.
Hartman has played eight games over the last two seasons with the Blackhawks, but with the vacancies heading into 2016-17, he could find a more permanent role with the team.
Tyler Motte
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 190 lb.
Born: St. Clair, MI, 3/10/95
Twitter: @tmotte14
Motte isn’t looking to be Shaw or Teravainen’s replacement, and his game leans more towards a checking line role, but he can fit well on the penalty kill, which could help him carve out a niche in the lineup.
Motte could benefit from playing beside one of the Blackhawks key penalty killers, Marcus Kruger. While he doesn’t boast a flashy offensive game, he is a reliable defender and has the hockey sense that the Blackhawks value. He is best suited to a bottom-six role and could find some solid minutes if he can be effective on the penalty kill.
He is a technically sound player with some speed to his game, and he can add some offense in to the bottom six, which would certainly make him an appealing option for the Blackhawks coaching staff.
Roy Radke
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 202 lb.
Born: Geneva, IL, 12/10/96
Twitter: @RadkeRoy22
Radke is as yet unsigned (drafted by Blackhawks 164th overall in 2015) at this time, but he has come into the prospect camp after spending the first half of his offseason working with the Blackhawks strength and conditioning team to prepare himself for the transition to professional hockey. He is a hometown product having grown up in nearby Geneva, IL.
Radke has been playing in the OHL (Barrie Colts) like recent Blackhawks draftee Alex DeBrincat. It’s clear that he is looking to put in the work to develop his strength and he still has some work to do with regards to putting a complete package together before signing.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign this summer and play his first games with the Blackhawks AHL Affiliate the Rockford IceHogs this fall. While his NHL debut may not come this season, he is certainly a prospect worth keeping an eye on.
While the season seems to be an eternity away, the Blackhawks prospects are looking to step through the doors left open as this season offers a number of open spots throughout the line up. More than any year since 2010 in fact. The standouts from the prospect camp this week will hope to build on their impact when training camp opens in September and very well could find their way into a full time role in 2016-17.
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