We’re now only a month from the start of the NHL regular season, and excitement about the Blackhawks is already ramping up. The team spent a bunch of money this summer to turn its roster upside down. After being forced to put players into certain roles just to field a roster at times last season, Chicago now has the luxury of putting together a real, competitive lineup when they open the regular season at Utah. But how will the new-look Blackhawks fit together?
After taking a look at Chicago’s elite top line yesterday, it’s time to dive into the second attacking group. The skaters on this line have dealt with their fair share of injuries over the past year or so, and we didn’t see them in action that much last season. If the second line can stay healthy, they have the star power to be nearly as productive as the first.
Taylor Hall
Hall playing in only ten games last season was probably the biggest blow to the Blackhawks’ season of any. After suffering an injury in the second game of the season, Hall played in a handful of games before hurting his knee a few weeks later, which ultimately forced him to undergo season-ending surgery. When he’s healthy, there’s no question Hall is still one of the premier scoring talents in the league. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner is now 32 years old, but he still has more than enough talent to thrive on Chicago’s second line.
With less pressure on Hall on a lower line, the former No. 1 overall pick has everything he needs to be successful. I love the idea of pairing him with the speed of Andreas Athanasiou down the middle, as he can really use his terrific scoring touch to make a big impact. Entering the final year of his contract, Hall needs to show Chicago something, and there’s no reason he can’t do just that.
Andreas Athanasiou
If the Blackhawks had a bit more talent down the middle, Athanasiou would be better served in a bottom-six role, but for all their acquisitions on each wing, Chicago is still a bit weak at center. That’s great news for Athanasiou, a 30-year-old center who’s still one of the fastest skaters in all of hockey. A spot on the second line comes at a great time, too, as it’s no secret Athanasiou’s contract is a bit bloated ($4.25 million AAV) and he’s entering the final year of his deal. Even though he may be slightly overpaid at this point, Athanasiou is more than adept at using his skating ability to score goals and create opportunities for others, posting a 20-goal, 20-assist campaign in 2022-23 before missing most of last year due to injury.
Athanasiou centering a line containing two of the best scorers on the team is a match made in heaven. Speed is a great asset to have, and not many have more of it than AA. Visions of him flying up the ice and drawing defenders in before kicking the puck out to Hall or Teuvo Teravainen to fire it home is all the Blackhawks need to see in order to make this line come to life.
Teuvo Teravainen
Perhaps the most talked-about acquisition of the summer, Teravainen is bringing some serious scoring talent to Chicago this year. Fresh off a 53-point campaign in Carolina, he returns to Chicago a much more polished scorer with plenty of playmaking ability. His strong two-way game certainly doesn’t hurt, either. Even better, the Blackhawks have him locked up for four more years.
Teravainen is certainly in the discussion to play on the top line next to Connor Bedard, but assuming Chicago opts to keep Bedard and Philipp Kurashev together instead, the second line is another great spot for him. His defensive responsibility complements Athanasiou, who has struggled in that department in the past. He joins a dangerous line of playmakers who can score nearly as efficiently as the top line.
