The Blackhawks' lineup next season, particularly the forward group, could look a number of different ways.
The Chicago Blackhawks really went for it this offseason by signing eight free agents and acquiring another player that will fit into the lineup next season. With all of the big changes to the team, there are going to be a lot of different potential line combinations.
General manager Kyle Davidson had a very good idea about roles for each player he acquired. But lines are still to be determined by coach Luke Richardson, who likes to juggle.
The goaltending is set with Petr Mrazek in the top role and Laurent Brossoit as "goalie 1B." The defense seems clear for the top six, although Richardson will tinker with pairings. After that it's anyone's guess right now which prospect will step up and take the seventh spot.
As for the forwards, that's where the most players were acquired for and what could go a number of different ways.
NHL Projection vs THN Projected Lineup
The NHL's official projections for the Blackhawks lineup on opening night of the 2024-25 season is:
Forwards
Tyler Bertuzzi - Connor Bedard - Philipp Kurashev
Taylor Hall - Jason Dickinson - Teuvo Teravainen
Nick Foligno - Andreas Athanasiou - Ilya Mikheyev
Pat Maroon - Ryan Donato - Craig Smith
Defense
Alex Vlasic - Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski - Connor Murphy
Alec Martinez - T.J. Brodie
Goalies
Petr Mrazek
Laurent Brossoit
This lineup would see Taylor Hall split up from Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev, the duo he started with for 10 games last season before his injury. The center position remains a bit weak and that's why Andreas Athanasiou will likely slot into the third line center role. Depending on how Lukas Reichel's play from the end of Blackhawks' 2023-24 season carries over to next season, this could really change the complexion of the bottom-6.
See some ideas from Richardson in the following video.
Based on chemistry, potential, and spreading out the wealth, this is how the Blackhawks could also look in 2024-25:
Taylor Hall - Connor Bedard - Philipp Kurashev
Tyler Bertuzzi - Jason Dickinson - Teuvo Teravainen
Lukas Reichel - Andreas Athanasiou - Ilya Mikheyev
Nick Foligno - Ryan Donato - Craig Smith
Alex Vlasic - Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski - Connor Murphy
Alec Martinez - T.J. Brodie
Petr Mrazek
Laurent Brossoit
This lineup, at least to start, sees Hall reunited with the young pair of players on the top line. Hall played only 10 game last season before needing right ACL surgery, so there wasn't enough time to see what the trio could actually do and develop chemistry. Bedard and Kurashev may not be split up from one another anytime soon.
This would give Jason Dickinson some real productive wingers for the second line to fill out the top-6. Though Bertuzzi is capable of playing with high-end players as he's shown in the past, he may end up being more productive than Hall and having that threat on the second line could create better matchups for Bedard at times. Teuvo Teravainen is no slouch either and this line could do well defending against the top opposing line.
Instead of Nick Foligno on the left flank of the third line, Reichel could be slotted into the lineup. He had a great end to the season in Rockford and then a strong World Championship. He won't be able to show much of his offensive talent if he's on the fourth line or scratched. He would have a lot of speed to work with beside Athanasiou and Ilya Mikheyev,
Foligno can fit in comfortably on the fourth line with a little extra ice time here and there. Craig Smith and Ryan Donato probably will be more effective than Pat Maroon, thus earning more games next season for the Blackhawks.
The added depth with create lots of battles for playing time and it should push the Blackhawks to be a much more competitive team now There will be time to figure some things out in training camp, but expect a bunch of moving parts throughout the season to keep players on their toes.