Chicago Blackhawks: Who shined at Traverse City?
By Clay Swallow
The Chicago Blackhawks participated in the Traverse City prospect tournament this past weekend and these are the players that stood out.
The Traverse City prospect tournament is a chance for rookies who are hoping to crack the team out of training camp to get a head start on impressing coaches. Some players took advantage of that this weekend with strong showings for their respective teams.
The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to leap back into the playoffs after missing it for the first time in a decade. To accomplish that, they are going to need young players to play big roles within the team. The prospect tournament was a great chance for these young players to show why they would fit those roles.
One player that stood out was Victor Ejdsell. Ejdsell was acquired in the trade with Nashville for Ryan Hartman. He is a 6’5″ forward with plenty of skill who has a laser for a shot and can cash in around the net. Ejdsell can also play around the net because of his size and style of play.
Ejdsell excelled this weekend scoring three goals in four games. He played around the net and moved well inside the dots and found open areas on the ice. Ejdsell helped his chances of making the team out of camp with his performance this weekend. If he continues to play like this, he could possibly find himself in the top six when the season starts.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
Another player that impressed this weekend was defenseman Nicolas Beaudin. Beaudin played top-four minutes throughout the tournament. He showed why the Blackhawks chose him No. 27 overall in this past year’s draft.
He played against opponents’ top two lines and held his own defensively while also showing his ability to join the rush and be effective offensively. One example was in the tournament’s first game when Beaudin got the puck out of his own zone and then joined the breakout.
He was aggressive and got into a good spot where Dylan Sikura found him in transition. Beaudin didn’t make any mistake and blasted the shot home for the opening goal of the tournament. Later in that game, Beaudin had a pretty feed to set up Sikura for a score as well.
Although Beaudin will not be on the roster this year, the coaching staff has to be excited about what the have in him for next year and beyond. He could find himself in a top-four role as soon as next year if he keeps playing at this level.
The next, and possibly most important Blackhawks prospect that stood out at the tournament was Dylan Sikura. Sikura is widely looked at as almost a guarantee to make the roster as well as play a top-six role on the team.
Sikura looked as you would hope he would, on a different level than most of the prospects on the ice. Sikura’s play throughout the tournament was consistent and effective. He was a playmaker for the Blackhawks and showed skill and elusiveness and found open areas on the ice to get his shot off.
The way he created plays for his line was great to see moving forward. As well as creating plays Sikura also chipped in two goals including an overtime game-winner versus the Blues, which is always a bonus. Sikura can easily compete for top six minutes this fall if he continues to grow.
The prospect tournament was only the start for these young players trying to make the team and make an impact this year, however, I believe we will see a lot of both Ejdsell and Sikura this year playing big roles, possibly even on the same line.