The Blackhawks were back on the ice last night! Well, a version of them. Chicago’s top non-collegiate prospects were given an opportunity to show their skills at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase Friday night against prospects from the Blues. Obviously there weren’t huge short-term NHL implications for most skaters on the ice, but the game, which doubled as a signal that hockey is nearly back, gave us a great look at the future of the Blackhawks. Despite the overtime loss, three future Blackhawks looked exceptionally promising in Friday’s game.
Colton Dach accomplishes biggest offseason goal
Colton Dach is one of the best scorers in Chicago’s pipeline with an absolutely lethal shot. The only problem – he lacked physicality in his game. The 2021 second-round pick made a personal goal this summer to showcase that physical presence and use it in a game, and he couldn’t have done more to prove that part of his game. He was punishing Blues skaters all night, especially when things got chippy. Dach even came up with a fight win, taking Michael Buchinger to the ice a few times. That’s great news and opens up even more intrigue for Dach, who said this week that he felt he could prove he belongs in this year’s NHL lineup. With a performance like that, it’s hard not to at least give him an extra look.
AJ Spellacy impresses Kyle Davidson with big night
Speaking of physicality, newcomer AJ Spellacy had perhaps the best performance of anyone. Friday was many fans’ first look at this year’s third-round pick, who was a star football player who only committed to hockey recently. Spellacy, who profiles as a strong power forward, excelled in that role all night, hitting everyone in sight. He even used his spectacular speed to convert on a beautiful wrist shot to score in the first period. In an interview in the second intermission, GM Kyle Davidson raved about Spellacy, saying he was impressed with his overall game. Spellacy certainly has potential to be an integral part of Chicago’s eventual NHL lineup, which could use a bit of strength on its forward lines.
Two top scorers combine for pretty goal during strong game
The Blackhawks threw out a top line of Landon Slaggert, Frank Nazar and Nick Lardis Friday, a group that looked the part of veterans playing against prospects. That line looked similar on the power play, which got an opportunity just a minute into the game.
That spectacular feed and finish was certainly one of the highlights of Friday’s action. Nazar and Lardis are two of the closest prospects to the NHL, and with a good showing in training camp, it would be hard to keep Nazar off the roster for the season opener. Could we see the two on the same line in Chicago a year from now?
