The Chicago Blackhawks sent a roster that’s likely more representative of the Rockford Ice Hogs and/or the London Knights to Columbus last night to kick off the preseason. The result, against the likes of Seth Jones, Alex Wennberg, Cam Atkinson et al was predictable: a 4-1 loss.
First period.
The Hawks actually came out flying. One of the first things I noticed—at ice level—was Alex Fortin sneaking behind Jones in the neutral zone to get open for a stretch pass. Way behind Jones. The pass didn’t happen, though, and in the same sequence of play, Fortin gathered a puck near one of the circles and put a fairly soft wrister past former Hawk netminder JF Berube. 1-0 Chicago.
The Hawks controlled play for most of the first half of the first period, but the Jackets came on in the latter half of the period. Hawk starting goalie Cam Ward was beaten twice, first on a tip by Zac Dalpe, and later by Wennberg on a complete screen. The period ended 2-1 Blue Jackets.
Second period.
Ward gave way to would-be backup Collin Delia midway through the period, who was almost immediately swarmed by Blue Jackets at the mouth of the Hawk net. Delia survived, although at one point he was saved by the post before another goal mouth scrum. The Jackets got the better of this period, although neither team found the twine.
Third period.
Delia seemed to have trouble tracking the puck all night and he was beaten again 36 seconds in to the third by Atkinson, and later at 18:07 by Columbus’ most recent first round pick Liam Foudy.
THE GOOD
A handful of Hawk players stood out to my eye. The first was defenseman Blake Hillman. For the most part, the Hawks cleared their end and initiated the rush pretty well all night. Hillman more so than the rest of a young blue line corps last night displayed great calm under pressure and seemed to always move the puck out of danger, in spite of a lot of Blue Jacket pressure. Another was forward Dominik Kahun, whose speed and skill were noticeable.
Every once in a while, while looking down at my phone to live tweet, I would hear (and feel) the boards shake heavily, and look up to see Andreas Martinsen creating havoc on the forecheck. Martinsen is a physical force who will be a nice asset on a fourth line with likely John Hayden and Marcus Kruger.
Speaking of the forecheck, no Hawk forwards were more tenacious and disruptive than Martinsen and Fortin, who generated at least two turnovers in the offensive zone. Fortin also continually got behind Columbus defensemen in the neutral zone and almost got sprung on a breakaway by an Erik Gustafsson pass in the third period.
Ward was OK. He made a few nice saves in the beginning of the second period, and neither of the goals he allowed were really stoppable.
THE BAD
It would be unfair and inaccurate to characterize the performance of rookies/prospects Adam Boqvist and Henri Jokiharju as “bad.” But nor was either very good. Both seemed a little hurried and flustered at times deep in their end under the Columbus forecheck. Both are mobile and Boqvist’s skating is effortless. But neither looked “great” or really NHL ready.
Artem Anisimov and Dylan Sikura were a team low -2.
Continuing a theme from last season, the Hawks were destroyed (65%-35%) in the faceoff dot.
THE UGLY
Viktor Ejdsell continues to be an AHL Legend and an NHL Ghost. He seemed a step or so behind the play, and not really willing to use his size in a meaningful way.
Delia struggled last night, although some of that could have been first game jitters and getting swarmed early on.
All I have. Please comment below. Follow @jaeckel