Defenseman T.J. Brodie played a much larger role with the Toronto Maple Leafs the past several seasons than what he'll be expected to contribute to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024-25, and that's not a bad thing. Sometimes players just need a little less responsibility or to play in a different spot to get the best out of them, and that is what the Blackhawks may very well have with Brodie this season. The 34-year-old was signed to a two-year deal in free agency to be the No. 5 defenseman on the team. Brodie has averaged at least 21 minutes per game in 10 of the last 11 seasons, and he probably won't hit that mark this season. Not only will he likely get the most time on the third defense pairing, the Blackhawks have more than enough other D-man options on the penalty kill as well. The veteran logged 214 minutes killing penalties last season, the most in his career. He has also played more than 150 minutes on the penalty kill in eight of his last 10 seasons. This will be interesting to see how the penalty killing units are set up, but with a little less weight on Brodie's shoulders there as well, it could do him good. Brodie is set up for success in Chicago because he was arguably overmatched against opponents' top lines in Toronto, facing the best talent the other teams have to offer every night. For a veteran, that gets to be a lot night in and night out. From the third pairing with a veteran in Alec Martinez alongside him, they could either be used in more of a shutdown role against the second or third line, or even more so exclusively against the bottom-6. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said he's pleased with signing eight free agents on July 1 to improve his team. One thing the Blackhawks can absolutely count on from Brodie is for him to block a lot of shots. This wears a player down and over the course of the season though, so there ends up being a lot of bumps and bruises. Given that he likely won't log over 200 minutes on the penalty kill and will play mostly on the third pairing, he won't have to be hit so much. Brodie should enjoy more of a healthy season, which the Blackhawks need as much as he does. RECENT BLACKHAWKS NEWS Connor Bedard's Top Five Games As A Blackhawks Rookie in 2023-24 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/connor-bedards-top-five-games-as-a-blackhawks-rookie-in-2023-24] Petr Mrazek Gives Main Reasons for Staying With the Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/petr-mrazek-gives-2-main-reasons-for-staying-with-the-chicago-blackhawks] How Does Blackhawks' New Defense Corps Compare to the Rest of the Central Division? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/how-does-blackhawks-new-defense-core-compare-to-the-rest-of-the-central-division] Blackhawks Have No Need For Last-Minute Additions To Roster This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/blackhawks-have-no-need-for-last-minute-additions-to-roster-this-season]
