The Chicago Blackhawks play their preseason finale Saturday in St. Louis, but in practicality they wrapped things during a 3-2 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday at the United Center.
The Hawks have seen enough of their top-tier players and have no need to wear them down against another heavy team like the Blues.
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It’s also a chance to settle some roster battles at the far end of the bench.
“We’re going to probably call a few guys back that didn’t get an opportunity to play and we’re just checking because they’ve had an exhibition game or two,” Luke Richardson said Friday at Fifth Third Arena. “It’ll be great for them and nice to see them because a lot of times we have those guys as call-ups throughout the year, so we want to make sure we get another look.”
Here are four things to watch for Saturday.
1. Will Connor Bedard play?
Bedard played 23 minutes Thursday, the most among Hawks forwards. It appears those will be his last minutes of the preseason.
“He’s played a lot and showed us enough,” Richardson said after the game. “But we’ll make that decision after the game.”
The coach didn’t give any more clarity after practice Friday, but it’s easy to read between the lines.
Bedard played in four preseason games, and “I’ll add in the fifth game in the rookie tournament,” Richardson said. “Obviously it’s different but still a very dominating performance.”
2. What to make of Bedard’s camp?
Bedard did have his moments against the Wild in which he looked mortal.
The most humbling had to be when Wild goalie Marc-André Fleury tripped him with his stick during the shootout, and Bedard face-planted.
“I think he’ll realize when to shoot and when to not pull off a move, but he had some really good moments tonight where he made some unbelievable plays and passes,” Richardson said.
He’s willing to give Bedard some latitude, however.
“He’s the one who sees it on the ice,” Richardson said. “He sees it different than us, so we’re going to have to trust in a guy with that kind of talent and vision.”
Richardson added Friday that coaches reviewed video with him.
“There are other parts of the game he’s still going to have some transition time and we’re helping him,” he said.
3. Camp battles come to a close.
The Hawks counted on several young veterans for depth last season, but Saturday’s game could be their last chance to fend off some of the rising prospects.
Kevin Korchinski and Wyatt Kaiser have made a strong push among the blue liners, and it’s just as tight with the forwards.
“You have guys like Boris (Katchouk) and (Joey) Anderson and Reese (Johnson) and Entsy (MacKenzie Entwistle) that played crucial roles for us at the end of last year,” Richardson said Friday. “Now that they’re back probably slotted to where they’re going to be at this point in their career and they’re going to fight for every inch they get.”
On the other hand, Richardson added: “You have a young guy like (Colton) Dach, had a great rookie camp, has continued on through this camp and he’s pushing too. If you don’t prepare and execute, then a guy like that will pass you by.”
Said Dach: “The thing I wanted to work on the most (in camp) was competing at a consistent level. And that’s what I’ve got to do to make this team.”
4. MacKenzie Entwistle gets a shot at redemption.
Entwistle’s embarrassing moments came at the worst time.
He blew a tire and lost the handle on the puck during a 2-on-0 Tuesday against the Red Wings and later drew iron on a wide-open backdoor shot.
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With cutdown day looming, would those missed opportunities weigh on his mind?
“There’s a lot of guys and obviously there’s little spots,” he said. “I’ve shown what I can show. I have another game thankfully and just have to play good tomorrow and we’ll see. I think I belong in the NHL and I want to be able to help the team win, help the team make the playoffs.”
As for those slip-ups, he shrugged them off.
“I’m glad everyone got a laugh out of it,” Entwistle said. “I got a couple texts, too, after the game — Kaner (Patrick Kane) texted me saying, ‘Get (assistant equipment manager) Jimmy (Heintzelman) to sharpen your skates!’
“That was embarrassing. I would love to bury that, have that chance back. … Hopefully they’ll go in tomorrow.”