Alec Martinez #25 (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks evened their record at 2-2-1 with a solid 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks Thursday night. Hawks’ goal scorers were Taylor Hall, Todd Bertuzzi, Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson. Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teravainen each chipped in with two assists. Hawks’ goalie, Petr Mrazek stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced. The game could be a blueprint for whatever success the Blackhawks find this season. In an encouraging development, the Hawks outshot their opponent 31-24.
The Hawks’ defense does seem to be improved. They have added some experience to the blueline, and it is showing. Free agent signee, T. J. Brodie, has teamed with defensive holdovers Seth Jones and Connor Murphy to calm things down in the Hawks’ defensive zone.
The Hawks’ skill level has improved
Connor Bedard should be even better than he was in his rookie season. That’s due, in part, because he was only 18 years old last season. But in addition, playing with Teuvo Teravainen will be a huge boost for both him and Teravainen. Both of them have put up seven points through five games. Bedard has scored one goal while doling out six assists. Teravainen has netted three goals to go with four assists. Bedard and Teravainen teamed up to assist Foligno on a beautiful power play goal in an example of what they can do together.
Defenseman Seth Jones is also a nice start with five points. Jones has one goal and four assists. The point of this is that skilled players improve exponentially when they are teamed with other skilled players. That makes what Bedard accomplished in his rookie season even more amazing.
While the Hawks top line looks fine, scoring beyond that could be an issue. Hopefully, more help will be coming soon.
How bout them Hogs?
Yes, that’s supposed to be a question. The Blackhawks have stashed a bunch of highly touted prospects with the Rockford Ice Hogs. Watching their development should give Hawks’ fans an idea of how soon Bedard and company will get some help. So, what is going on in Rockford? Well, they won their first game.
The Hawks are especially stacked at defense. This year’s first round pick and second overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, Artyom Levshunov, has had his season delayed by injury, but should be back on the ice soon. He’ll start the season in Rockford but could see some time in Chicago if all goes well.
Levshunov will join other top prospects, center/wing Frank Nazar and defenseman Kevin Korchinski on what should be a stacked IceHogs team. You might recall Korchinski acquitted himself well as an 18-year- old with the Blackhawks last season. He also has a high ceiling.
The Blackhawks and the IceHogs should be an interesting watch this season.
