Stat Hockey’s Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Taylor Hall – Connor Bedard – Taylor Raddysh

Lukas Reichel – Tyler Johnson – Andreas Athanasiou

Ryan Donato – Jason Dickinson – Philipp Kurashev

Nick Foligno – Mackenzie Entwistle – Corey Perry

S- Colin Blackwell, Boris Katchouk

D

Kevin Korchinski – Seth Jones

Alex Vlasic – Connor Murphy

Filip Roos – Nikita Zaitsev

S- Jarred Tinordi

G

Petr Mrazek

Arvid Soderblom

Forwards

The Blackhawks may very well finish last in the NHL this season despite drafting a generational talent in Bedard. Rebuilding doesn’t happen overnight. The team did add some solid pieces though to help get things going in the right direction. On Bedard’s wing is Hall who will help him as a former first overall pick. With speed and scoring ability, these two will do some damage. The third member of the line shouldn’t be forgotten about as Raddysh broke out and scored 20 goals last season. He should be able to contribute this season as well.

There might be some times where we see Reichel or Athanasiou on the top line, but for now it makes sense to have the lines start this way. This isn’t the most talented line, but they should be able to score a bit. Reichel is still developing, while Athanasiou can score if he utilizes his speed all the time. Johnson will be a solid veteran presence down the middle and because the team doesn’t have anyone else.

The third line is kind of a makeshift line. Some of these players would be playing on the fourth line elsewhere, but might also be able to surprise. I can see Blackwell coming in and getting time here as well. The skill is there from Kurashev if he could only put it all together. Donato has shown flashes of great play, but it needs to last longer. Dickinson, on the other hand, is a solid presence up the middle and the hope is that he can hold the line together.

The Blackhawks will have an interesting fourth line if they decide Foligno and Perry should both line up here. They have both played higher at times last season, so there is a likely chance the bottom-six is shifted around. Both of the veterans were brought in to add leadership and a certain style of play. They will be able to match up against other fourth lines well, but it also depends on their centerman. I like Entwistle to get a shot here, but it is completely possible Blackwell or even Mike Hardman get a chance at center if no improvement is shown.

Defense

It is going to be a growing year for the defense. Jones and Murphy are stable pieces, but one is strong offensively and the other defensively. They won’t be on the same line, or it might work. Each will likely take on a young defenseman. Korchinski will have a very real shot of making the team since the left side is so weak. As a former top pick, we could see him all the way up on the top pairing. He will be an impressive player in a few years. As for Jones, he’ll have to account for most of the offense and ice time this season again.

Vlasic has shown a good ability to play in the NHL and should earn full time top-four minutes, again because of the lack of competition. Murphy will be a calming presence and be the backbone of the pairing, but the Blackhawks have to see what they have while they aren’t expecting to win just yet.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Carolina Hurricanes 2023-24 Line Projections

As for the bottom pairing, Zaitsev was a cap dump, but should play almost every night. He’s not great by any means, but he is a body and has experience. That is what a likely young talent in Roos will need. I believe that he will have a crack in the lineup as well this season and Tinordi only comes in if there’s issues on the left side, which is expected.

Goaltending

The goaltending isn’t good, but it will have to do. Soderblom is still developing and can go down without the threat of waivers. The Blackhawks seem to like him, but got a strong showing from Jaxson Stauber in six games last season. This 24-year-old might push him for a spot on the team. One spot that is safe is Mrazek’s starting job. He will be hard pressed to finish with over a .900 SV%, but that’s what comes with playing lots of games on one of the worst teams.