PTOs (professional tryouts) are starting to be handed out around the league now even though some players will still be signed to actual contracts before the season. Some PTOs always result in contracts with teams, but just because a player signs one, doesn't mean he can't sign a contract with another team ahead of time either.
The Chicago Blackhawks are one team that doesn't have to utilize PTO this preseason to test the waters of a player or two. They have more than enough veteran and younger talent to fill the lineup and then some. Kyle Davidson has said that he wants to keep some spots open to give young players the chance to earn it. That didn't happen last season with too many veteran additions.
It is going to be a happy medium between the last two seasons and now there are young players and prospects who are ready, so much so that there will be a few that don't make the team. The Blackhawks are going to have 17 forwards that played NHL games last season, nine defensemen, and three goalies as well as Laurent Brossoit.
Some, but not all, players like Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, Colton Dach, Aidan Thompson, and Landon Slaggert may start in the AHL. By signing PTOs, that list grows and many of them may get less than 20-25 games in at the NHL level again. This is a young team that is trying to develop and improve at the same time. Some of these prospects are going to be impactful players and part of that process. They have to earn it, but they also have to be given the opportunity to earn it as well.
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