Chicago Blackhawks: This is the perfect lineup for the 2020-21 season

Defense Pair Two

Keith-Boqvist

Duncan Keith is one of the best defensemen in not only the history of the Chicago Blackhawks but the history of the National Hockey League. He was named to be one of the 100 greatest players in the history of the NHL back in 2017. He shared that honor with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane but they are forwards. Keith has been so solid for a very long time.

Even at his advanced hockey age, he is a good defenseman. It is probably less than ideal to have him as a top pair guy but that is what the Hawks are working with this season. If anything, he should be able to use his brain and proper positioning to be successful as he winds down his career.

It doesn’t seem like Adam Boqvist is ever going to develop into a top-pair defenseman but he does have use on this team in the long term. He might be on the top-pair here but he is only there because he might be a good partner for Duncan Keith. When some of the other players in the organization develop further, Boqvist would make a good power-play specialist on the third pair at five on five. Keith can mask some of his issues this year which makes it the best possible top-pair.