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Chicago Blackhawks: Adam Boqvist sent down following loss to Washington

By Vincent Parise

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Adam Boqvist #27 of the Chicago Blackhawks advances the puck against Liam O'Brien #87 of the Washington Capitals during a preseason game at the United Center on September 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Capitals defeated the Blackhawks 6-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Adam Boqvist #27 of the Chicago Blackhawks advances the puck against Liam O'Brien #87 of the Washington Capitals during a preseason game at the United Center on September 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Capitals defeated the Blackhawks 6-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Blackhawks have sent down their top defensive prospect to the Rockford Ice Hogs following their loss to the Washington Capitals.

The Chicago Blackhawks were destroyed by the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night at the United Center. Both teams were loaded upfront and had guys in their lineup who can score. Corey Crawford played the whole game for the Blackhawks while Braden Holtby and Phoenix Copley split the game in net for the Capitals.

There was no reason for the game to be this lopsided as far as preseason excuses because both teams dressed very competent lineups. If anything, the Caps were at a disadvantage because John Carlson was the only defenseman in their lineup who spent the whole 2018-19 campaign with them. It wasn’t great for the Blackhawks and there are plenty of mistakes to build on in this game.

Following the game, the Blackhawks sent Aleksi Saarela and Adam Boqvist to their AHL affiliate Rockford Ice Hogs. Rockford will use both of these players as much as they can and will certainly be a solid addition for the team. The Blackhawks may opt to bring them back up at some point this season but this move gets them to 16 forwards, nine defenseman, and three goaltenders ahead of final cuts later this week.

Boqvist’s departure is probably going to stand as the most notable send down of the preseason. He is the team’s top defensive prospect and there is a lot of hope for what he can bring to the team in the future. He had games this exhibition season where he looked really good and dynamic when he possessed the puck, but management felt it necessary to see him develop some more in the minors. This very well could end up being a really solid move and he could go down there and dominate.

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There is a lot of players vying to be on the roster come opening day but if there are any injuries or lack of production from anyone, Boqvist’s time could be sooner or later. There is a good chance that his NHL debut comes during the 2019-20 season but isn’t a guarantee. The Blackhawks have one last preseason game in North America as they play the Boston Bruins for a Saturday afternoon matinee at the TD Garden.

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