The Chicago Blackhawks got their preseason off to a flying start on Tuesday night when they knocked off the Detroit Red Wings, and the team will look to continue that trend on Wednesday as they battle the Wings again, this time in the Motor City.
While most of the Blackhawks’ regular players will not be in the lineup, there are still plenty of players for fans to keep an eye on as the Hawks look to maintain their perfect preseason record.
Bryan Bickell
Bickell, who has been dealing with vertigo symptoms since the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, is on the lineup sheet for the Blackhawks heading into this game, and it will be interesting to see just how healthy the winger is as he hits the ice for the first time this preseason.
The Blackhawks brought in several players this offseason that could potentially fill in for Bickell if he has to begin the season on injured reserve or if he’s traded before the campaign begins, so in addition to showing that he is physically capable of playing, the winger could be playing for his job as well.
Ryan Hartman
The Blackhawks brought in several veteran players to compete for roster spots this fall, including Daniel Paille and Tomas Kopecky, but Hartman is a guy that could find himself thrust into the spotlight if he plays his cards right during the preseason.
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A first round pick of the Hawks in 2013, Hartman has an interesting skillset and could be a really solid two-way player, and if he can impress Blackhawks management with his play in these games, he could find himself with a role on the team’s third line when they break camp.
Mark McNeill
Speaking of young players, McNeill is a player that has gotten a lot of publicity in recent years, but he’s never been able to make the jump to the NHL on a full-time basis. His game has a lot of physical edge to it, but he still has been stuck behind a slew of players in the AHL, and he could have a real shot at making the roster this year.
Viktor Svedberg
The Blackhawks are still looking into how to construct their defense for the upcoming season, and with guys like Klas Dahlbeck and Stephen Johns out of the way, Svedberg has ascended the mountain as one of the team’s most intriguing blue line prospects.
Viktor Tikhonov
After spending four seasons in his native Russia playing in the KHL, Tikhonov is back on American soil to try to make a run at an NHL roster spot, and the Blackhawks will get the first crack at including them on the team as he makes his preseason debut Wednesday night.
A solid scorer with good passing touch, Tikhonov could be a versatile second or third line player if his game is up to snuff, and he’ll definitely be a guy to watch as the preseason wears on.
