Attempting to predict the Blackhawks’ regular-season lines for the upcoming season is quite the adventure. A few lines are practically set in stone, like the new top-six forwards. Others are still completely uncertain with less than two weeks to cement their spots.
But perhaps no line is more volatile and unpredictable for this year than the third defensive line. A hot-button topic for the Blackhawks this summer has been the jumble near the bottom of the defensive depth chart, with a handful of young prospects vying for one or two open spots in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, we’ll take a look at some best-case scenarios for this third unit. The frontrunner pairing for now appears to be Alex Vlasic and Nikita Zaitsev, who skated together during the majority of training camp. What’s the ceiling for the pair during the regular season?
Alex Vlasic
As the “elder statesman” of this year’s defensive prospect group, Vlasic boasts a decent bit of experience and an impressive resume as he looks to cement a spot at the NHL level. He left Boston University a year early for a stint in the NHL, then was a staple of the IceHogs throughout last year as one of the team’s best defensemen. At 6-foot-6, he’s a big body and disciplined defender with surprising quickness. He’s been working on the offensive aspect of his game and has turned himself into a decent attacker as well, giving him massive all-around upside.
Vlasic fits well on a line with Zaitsev as a consistent blueliner who has a bit more to learn in his passing and overall offensive game. Thanks to the solid passing and puck-moving of Zaitsev, Vlasic could turn into an overall elite defenseman if he can flesh out that part of his game. Even if he doesn’t, Vlasic is a high-level defender who certainly belongs in the starting lineup on a nightly basis.
Nikita Zaitsev
As a cap dump from Ottowa back in February, Zaitsev finds himself on the fringe of the starting lineup. He’s entering his last year on his $4.5 million AAV contract at age 31, and it’s a safe bet that he won’t be returning to Chicago next year, especially with the jam-packed defensive room. For now, though, he’s a rangy defenseman who often makes plays to free up the puck in the defensive zone, though he can be inconsistent at times.
Zaitsev isn’t exactly expected to light the world on fire on the third line this year but could help mentor Vlasic thanks to his seven years of NHL experience. With his passing as the highlight of his game, Zaitsev could pair well with Vlasic, giving the latter more freedom offensively to develop his game with strong feeds.
The bottom of the Blackhawks’ defensive depth chart is a complete jumble, but one pair in particular finds themselves in an advantageous position as they enter the regular season. For now, the line of Vlasic and Zaitsev isn’t skating together, as they’re split into different game groups, but the two still have time to gel throughout the remainder of the preseason.
