If Blackhawks fans were disappointed in the team trading right-shot defenceman Henri Jokijarhu, they can take some solace in the fact that they have a mightily talented weapon on the backend coming in Adam Boqvist.
The 18-year-old Swede had his talents on display, showing Blackhawks fans why he was worthy of being selected 8th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft during a scrimmage between the team's prospects.
Four minutes into the advanced game of shinny, Boqvist skated into the offensive zone and put the puck through his legs while fending off Josh Ess. Boqvist passed it to himself and fed Josiah Slavin for an easy tap in into the open cage.
Nasty. Sure, it's one of the more common moves you see, but it's still spectacular to witness during a game, albeit scrimmage. The pass through the other defender's legs was noteworthy too.
"I have no idea," Boqvist told reporters following the game in which his team won 6-5. "It just happened. I'm just trying to not think about (the) play. It's in my bag. So just play."
The London Knight also made a few more nifty plays and stood out the most out there.Coming off a 60-point (20 goals, 40 assists) in the OHL, don't be surprised if the 6-foot, 180-pound defender finds his way onto the Blackhawks roster to open up the season.
Coming off a 60-point (20 goals, 40 assists) in the OHL, don't be surprised if the 6-foot, 180-pound defender finds his way onto the Blackhawks roster to open up the season.
Kirby Dach, whom the Hawks just selected 3rd overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, was also very impressive, combining his strength, puck-protection skills and puck handling ability.
Dach is likely to return to Saskatoon of the WHL next season, unless he turns heads in camp and finds his way onto the roster.
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews aren't getting any young, but adding Dach and Boqvist to a core of Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat makes the future look bright in Chicago.
