Chicago Blackhawks: Ian Mitchell’s potential impact vs Edmonton
The Chicago Blackhawks could get a big boost to their blue line with Ian Mitchell.
The Chicago Blackhawks and the rest of the National Hockey League seem to be ramping everything up now. They are going to be using Toronto and Edmonton as hub cities to play all of their playoff games here due to COVID-19. The virus shut the league down but some teams that weren’t going to be playoff teams might see themselves as someone who has a chance now. Ian Mitchell might be able to join the Hawks’ lineup and be an impact player.
The Blackhawks are the lowest-seeded team in the Western Conference “play in” series so they need all the help they can get to have a chance. They drew the Edmonton Oilers in that series and they are going to be hungry to win. With superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the mix, they are going to be a hard out. They won’t be stopped completely but contained might be a more realistic possibility.
One guy who might be able to help that cause is Ian Mitchell. He is turning pro after a few good years at the University of Denver. It has been a fun road for him to the show after being drafted in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was a great player for Denver both on and off the ice.
There have been multiple credible people who have said that Mitchell is “NHL captain material.” You never know what happens beyond the years of Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Patrick Kane. If the new core that they are building is able to have a really good captain like Mitchell, it would be phenomenal news for them. You might remember how important having a good young captain is when Toews first broke out.
Hot. Patrick Kane will be the all-time greatest American player. light
There have been plenty of college rookies that have come in for the playoffs and made an impact. It might be more common now than ever because of how well the NCAA is getting some of these guys ready for the show.
He is going to have to earn his spot in the lineup but he very well might. Chicago’s defense has been bad for a while now so it doesn’t hurt to put their best foot forward now. With how good Edmonton is at the forward position, adding a solid defender that has a good transition to his game will go a long way.