With the Blackhawks still reeling from Tuesday’s ugly 6-2 loss in the Winter Classic, news broke Thursday on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast that GM Kyle Davidson was in the locker room directly after the game, laying into the players for what he saw as a lack of effort. With the general manager clearly displeased with his team’s performance, he took matters into his own hands with an unexpected roster move Thursday.
The Blackhawks called up top power forward Colton Dach, sending forward Joey Anderson to Rockford. After clearing waivers on Dec. 9, the door was opened for Anderson to be sent down within 30 days, so if a move was to be made, he was the most likely candidate. Anderson didn’t really seem like the worst player on the roster, but he was the most convenient to get rid of.
No matter how long Dach stays in Chicago, it’s a pretty great time for him to be called up. It’s a pretty great birthday present for a player who turns 22 on Saturday. He also got to have dinner with his brother, former Blackhawk Kirby Dach, on Wednesday night. The two will share the ice Friday when the Blackhawks host the Canadiens.
It’s also great news that Chicago keeps infusing young players into the lineup. With players like Frank Nazar, Nolan Allan and Louis Crevier taking the ice on a nightly basis, the Blackhawks can actually get something out of a season that appears lost already. Dach is one of the more unique prospects in Chicago’s pipeline. As one of the Blackhawks’ only true power forwards, he’s excelled in that role all season and has certainly earned a call up. With 25 points in 30 games in Rockford this season, he’s even producing plenty of offense.
While Dach being called up to replace Anderson is great news for Chicago’s unit, the team made a few intriguing changes to fit him into the lineup. Dach will take the ice on the Blackhawks’ third line on Friday, and both Lukas Reichel and Philipp Kurashev will be on the bench. Keeping Kurashev off the ice is certainly understandable, but holding Reichel out is a bit puzzling. If the goal is for Chicago to get its young skaters more time on the NHL ice, what’s the point of benching Reichel? At any rate, Blackhawks fans want to see the youngsters play, especially now that any hope of the playoffs or a decent finish is out the window.
The only downside to bringing Dach to the United Center – one would assume he’ll don the same No. 28 sweater he wore in the AHL. The Blackhawks still haven’t retired that number for Steve Larmer, and letting Dach wear it is just another slap in the face by the organization for a player who deserves better.
