Chicago Blackhawks: Center depth is a key to winning

The Chicago Blackhawks have learned that being strong down the middle is key in the NHL, and their current roster shows that to be the case.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that has had lots of success in the 2010s. Now, as they begin preparation for the next decade they seem to be set on building through the middle of the ice. Everybody knows that center is the most important forward position and the Blackhawks have some depth there and will for the foreseeable future.

Jonathan Toews is the captain of this team and one of the greatest players in franchise history. He has won everything there is to win for a player like him and remarkably, he is still hungry for more. He is coming off a career year and he is finally getting the opportunity to play at even strength with his long time teammate, Patrick Kane.

Dylan Strome was a third overall pick for the Arizona Coyotes in 2015. He was one of the best junior level players of all time but for some reason he struggled to stay consistent with the Coyotes. He was traded to Chicago for Nick Schmaltz and has thrived playing for the Blackhawks ever since. He was close to point per game and was reunited with his junior teammate and good friend Alex DeBrincat. Together they have given the Blackhawks a really good second line.

Kirby Dach is a mystery on whether or not he will crack the NHL team out of camp but the third overall pick from the 2019 NHL draft has a good chance. He signed an entry level deal for three years on Monday and that certainly doesn’t hurt his chances. He would probably start off as the third line center and if he is one of those rookies that hits the ground running that would give the team three really good centers that can make three lines go. There is a good chance that the Blackhawks top three centers were all third overall picks.

They also have other guys on the roster that can and will play center on the 3rd/4th lines and some that can also play wing. Ryan Carpenter will likely be the guy on the fourth line no matter what and David Kampf might be the third line guy if Dach doesn’t make the team but can play wing if he does. There is also Artem Anisimov still on the roster and if he stays he should see center ice a lot but there is a chance he is moved before the season starts. Andrew Shaw can play some center as well but will likely see lots of time on the wings.

Either way, when you look at all of the recent Stanley Cup Champions you will see that they are all so deep at the position and that is very hard to contain. Being this good at center should improve the team defense as a whole as well, as these are they guys relied on to play a full 200-foot game. Blackhawks fans should be excited about what’s to come for the position and know it is a deep group.