The Blackhawks blue line has thinned out in recent years as the team has needed to consistently apply band-aids that were as obvious as Donald Trump’s hair piece to try and cover the substantial gaps left by some big departures. Age has also started to catch up with some of the veterans as the entire team has put a lot of extra miles on the treads since 2010.
Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook still have a lot left in the tank but having six reliable defensemen who can share the load and absorb more substantial minutes will go a long way towards their collective longevity.
That task will almost certainly fall to Michal Kempny and Trevor van Riemsdyk, but plans could also include Gustav Forsling. Viktor Svedberg, Erik Gustafsson and Ville Pokka are also going to be vying for time at the United Center in the coming season. It’s been a few years since there have been six legitimate defensemen and a couple of prospects waiting in the wings.
Over the last few days, we’ve looked at the forward prospects with a couple of defensemen and a netminder thrown in, so today it’s time to change it up and give the defensemen a little more attention.
Gustav Forsling
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’0
Weight: 180 lbs.
Born: Linkoping, SWE, 6/12/96
Twitter: @GForsling
Forsling is one of the Blackhawks most prized defensive prospects. He is a part of the growing trend of Swedish imports that started some time ago with Hjalmarsson. While the Blackhawks did not draft Forsling (he was acquired in trade from Vancouver Canucks for Adam Clendening), he has been closely monitored since he landed in the system in 2015.
Forsling has been playing in Linkoping, Sweden from U16 on, but he is currently looking to crack the Blackhawks lineup. If he can’t grab a spot out of training camp in the fall, he will reportedly return to Sweden next season. With the additions of Kempny and Brian Campbell, that seems like a likely option unless he can impress the coaching staff enough to warrant sitting van Riemsdyk, or splitting the final spot between the two players.
Forsling is not the biggest defender, but the Blackhawks have had success with undersized defensemen in the past. He could still benefit from adding a bit of bulk, but Forsling is adept at controlling the puck and getting it off efficiently. He is also an intelligent player who sees the ice well.
Forsling could find his way to North America this season, but should that not pan out he has a place in the SHL where he can continue to evolve his game until a spot becomes available. With the expansion draft on the horizon, one could be available sooner rather than later as the team can only protect three of their four eligible rostered players. Whether by trade or expansion that spot will likely provide Forsling with an opportunity.
Jake Massie
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 172 lbs.
Born: Hudson, QBC, 1/21/97
Twitter:@JakeMassie3
Massie came to the Blackhawks in the trade that sent Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom to the Carolina Hurricanes.
While Massie is still a raw talent, he has shown some speed and excelled in the skating drills during the prospect camp. He stood out for his tenacious pursuit of the puck and ability to quickly adjust on the fly. Massie is a lanky defender with a long reach and uses his size well.
He will attend Vermont in the fall, though he originally planned to attend UMass Amherst.
Massie has good potential and should continue to evolve as a player and gain strength at the college level. He projects to be more of a stay at home defenseman, and is sound positionally in his own end, but Massie needs to hone his offensive skills a bit. He will be one to watch in the next few years.
Robin Norell
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Born: Stockholm, SWE, 2/18/95
Twitter:@robinnorell
Norell is an excellent skater in the same vein as former Blackhawk Johnny Oduya. Though he doesn’t have the size of a prototypical NHL defenseman, he is quick to battle for pucks and is not afraid to step in front of pucks or take a hit. Norell will likely start this season with Rockford where he can further adapt to the North American game.
He is a solid two-way defender that plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He has some grit to his game which is key for a smaller defenseman. He could find a role on the second pairing down the line but would benefit from a bit more seasoning. With the Blackhawks current depth on the blue line, he will have some time to work on his game at the AHL level.
Norell has a blistering shot from the point and even looked a bit reminiscent of Seabrook at one point as he snapped a stick in half on a slapper from the point.
Michal Kempny
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6′
Weight: 174 lbs.
Born: Hodonin, CZE, 9/8/90
Kempny was the prize KHL signing this spring much like Panarin was last year. While it is unlikely that his transition to the NHL will be quite as effortless as Panarin’s was, he has the skill set to make an immediate impact for the Blackhawks. He will get an opportunity to do so as he should be a lock to make the opening night roster.
While Kempny appeared to be a little uncomfortable with some of the skating drills at prospect camp, he had no trouble adapting once they got into situational drills. He is comfortable moving the puck through all three zones, and can change directions on a dime. He also has great vision and play recognition, making it easy for him to adapt to the game evolving around him whether that means dumping the puck, playing the puck, or finding an open man moving into the play.
Throughout the week, Kempny was catching the eye of many observers as he showed strength and intelligence along with his strong skating ability. He is careful to maintain his defensive responsibilities, but he will get up on the play and has a hard shot. He should be a strong addition to the Blackhawks blue line.
Dennis Gilbert
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 200 lbs.
Born: Buffalo, NY, 10/30/96
Gilbert played at Notre Dame last season as a Freshman. It is the same program that another promising prospect (Stephen Johns, now with Dallas) came out of, and the alma mater of Stan Bowman.
He has good size and uses his body well. He will undoubtedly continue to add to his already solid all around game as he continues his college hockey career at Notre Dame, but he will be closely watched thanks to his proximity.
Gilbert projects to be a second- or third-pairing defenseman. He has great instincts and likes to skate the puck. He skates extremely well for his size, but could still use some time at the college level.
Joni Tuulola
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 180 lbs.
Born: Hämeenlinna, FIN, 1/1/96
Twitter: @JONPPA17
Tuulola still needs to improve his strength, but he is a big defender with a nose for offense. The offensive acumen is hardly unexpected, as he is the son of Marko Tuulola (forward) HPK Hämeenlinna’s all-time leading scorer. He has a little bit of an abrasive edge to his game, but he is also a solid skater and has a transition game that should translate well at the NHL level.
He is a physical sort of defenseman, perhaps along the lines of Brent Seabrook and with his offensive talents could potentially fit into that type of role. He is at times compared to players like Sami Vatanen, but with an edge, though he is still several years away from really challenging for a spot in the NHL.
Tuulola will return to Finland next season where he will continue to work on his strength and overall growth as a player.
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