FIVE QUESTIONS FACING THE BLACKHAWKS AS REGULAR SEASON BEGINS

Blackhawks wrapped up their preseason schedule on Saturday night, loaded with a young lineup include the St. Louis Blues 2-1. The regular season is just at the door.

But before they open again on Wednesday against the Blues, the Chicago Blackhawks Jersey have some difficult decisions to make. Which remains? Who's going? And when the decisions are made, how things line up (and pairs) going on Wednesday?

The coach Joel Quenneville told to travel to the media before Saturday's game, the final list should be made on Monday; all NHL rosters are finalized four p.m. CT on Tuesday. So, as it looks like we have a couple of hours before we know the answers to the Blackhawks, let's look at five questions going to the opening of the season.

Don't make too much of Hossa skating on Blackhawks third line

It is not every day a striker who is a 499-goal scorer, a future Hall of Famer and a three-time Stanley Cup champion enters the field and is in the third line skating equipment.

But that's where Marian Hossa was found on his first day back to camp Blackhawks Jersey Friday after playing nine games for the European team in the World Cup.


As in the Blackhawks Convention in July, the 38-year-old Hossa - who skated with Marcus Kruger and Ryan Hartman - said all the right things to the media after practice involved in Johnny's Icehouse West.

Battle for roster spots continues within Blackhawks’ forwards

The Chicago Blackhawks are approaching more and more to a list season opener.

The Blackhawks have 14 cuts Monday. This leaves them with 17 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders.

At some point, the Blackhawks will either send the keeper Ivan Nalimov return to the KHL or make him sign a pro contract. If it is the latter, it will play in the AHL or ECHL. This leaves the Blackhawks with two goalkeepers.

With defenders, the question is about Gustav Forsling. It is still likely to return to Sweden for the season, but it gave them something to think about. The Blackhawks can wait until the last minute to make that decision.

So what about the attackers? The Blackhawks will probably keep 13 or 14, which means they have to cut three or four other attackers. Here is a look at each of the 17 remaining attackers and their percentage chance of making the NHL list:

Artem Anisimov: Anisimov was the second-line center Blackhawks last season and is expected to be for many years to come. It will be interesting to see that its future will be wings. List chance: 100 percent.

Andrew Desjardins Desjardins has earned the trust of coach Joel Quenneville Blackhawks in an online verification role over the past two seasons. Random list: 95 percent The only reason he is not 100 percent is not forward, but Artemi Panarin, with a cap hit under $ 900,000 is an absolute lock to be on the list season opener.

Fort
Alexandre Fortin impressed enough to stick around Blackhawks. (Scott Powers / The Athletic)
Alexandre Fortin: As said Quenneville, the Blackhawks are "intrigued" by the 19-year-old Fortin. If it was a rebuilding season or the Blackhawks were a guarantee to make the playoffs, it would make more sense to keep Fortin NHL or explore at least a test of nine games. But they are not and can not afford to drop points in the regular season, and that's how it is likely Fortin returned to the QMJHL before the start of the season. List chance: 10 percent. It is always there, so you never know.

Ryan Hartman: Hartman is one of the prospects to get a long look. He appeared in three of the four preseason games and will likely play again on Tuesday. The Blackhawks would he fit into a versatile bottom-six winger role. They are happy with part of his game. The problem is they are not happy with this. Quenneville recently mentioned his inconsistency. List chance: 60 percent.

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Vinnie Hinostroza had chances to score, but was not able to finish them. (Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today Sports)
Vinnie Hinostroza: Hinostroza was one of the forerunners for a place to open the camp. He and the Blackhawks would surely see more production through three games, but it was fast, driven possession and was reliable defensively. It will probably end up on a wing rather than the center. List chance: 90 percent.

Marian Hossa: Hossa joining the Blackhawks this week after reaching the championship match of the World Cup with the Europe team. He played a key role in the success of the team. Quenneville Hossa had mentioned moving down the line, but the game Hossa at the World Cup may just keep it on the top line. List chance: 100 percent.

Patrick Kane: Kane played with so many different trio of companions throughout his career, so a change would be nothing new. Quenneville experimented with Kane and Panarin fractionation. Kane stay with Anisimov and get a new left wing. Nick Schmaltz he played on Saturday. List chance: 100 percent.