Team: 2019-20 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 19, 2019

Published: Jul. 19, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Kirby is going to make this team out of the gate. It'll be a 9 game try out. I doubt there's any solid commitment beyond those 9 games until he proves himself during those 9 games. I've been watching prospect camp and saw the scrimmage. He's got sick moves, he's a big boy, and he's a lot faster than people are giving him credit...running down a breakaway on the backcheck was pretty impressive.

Kubliak didn't play, but I've seen him enough to know he has game. If not Kubliak then I'd give Kurashev a shot. He was impressive at camp laster year...played well in the OHL...and at worlds...and again this camp. He's going to be a heck of a player. if not him then Saarela. Another guy that I thought played well. I've heard people say Nylander's been head and shoulders above the rest, but I just don't see it yet. I don't think he's lazy in the sense that he doesn't put out effort...I just think he gives up on plays too early. When he doesn't...like he stuck to it in the 3rd during their scrimmage...then you get to see goals. You gotta give him credit when it's due. That goal was because of him. Consistent 100% compete is something he needs to work on. It's almost like he's waiting for something to happen AND THEN pounce on the opportunity rather than going out there and making the opportunity happen. Sometimes people get lucky, but more often than not you need to go out there and create your own luck. I'm going to stay optimistic, but I don't think he makes the team and he'll face adversity once more. It's time for him to sack up and give it everything he's got. This is probably his last chance.

Ian Mitchell, Adam Boqvist, and Nicloas Beaudin are all studs. I'm excited to see them when they're ready. I don't see Boqvist making the roster on opening night, but depending on how things go...he'll be the 1st call up for sure. Offensively he's everything as advertised and more. Let's work on gap control and an active stick.

I'm not worried about the bonuses. Most of those are for extremely high expectations. Strome and Dach being top 10 in points type bonuses. I don't see that $4M happening. The rest are real, but stuff happens throughout the year that I think they'll be ok.