Last night the Blackhawks opened up the first preseason game against the Washington Capitals. Even tho they ended up losing in OT 4-3, we can take some good away from this.

But, first I want to talk about what the NHL preseason means to me and what you the reader to understand. To me is the losing means nothing and the winning means nothing to me. It’s about the how the prospects and veteran guys fight for a roster spot. The Blackhawks have the 3rd and 4th lines to fill and maybe a center for the 2nd line. With the 3rd overall pick from this year draft Kirby Dach out with a concussion(well the concussion protocol). There are 3 players from last night game to highlight

The first player we are going to highlight is Alexander Nylander. When the Blackhawks first acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for Henri Jokiharju. I had my concern with him, as reports said he was good but doesn’t put is effort at 110% most of the time. Now, you can well he was stuck in Buffalo didn’t play a lot in the NHL.

Besides, that he really took me back he seemed involved in everything setting guys up and cashing in on his own. He started by setting up Erik Gustafsson for a point shot that deflected in by Aleksi Saarela. Nylander found the back of the net when Adam Boqvist shot a one-timer and Nylander pick up the rebound on the back hand. Jeremy Colliton was impressed by Nylander saying he good working away from the puck, he can cause turnovers and can create opportunities for himself in transition.

Yes, it’s the first game in preseason and not against the Capitals top D or forwards but, to see him be involved in everything is a bright thing to see.

Now to move on to Collin Delia. We all know what he is capable of from last year going from the last ranked goalie in the Blackhawks organization to the 3rd ranked (some many say he was better the Cam Ward). But with the signing of Robin Leher, Delia knows his role down in Rockford.

Going on to the game he blanked the Capitals in the 1st but, gave up 3 goals in 8 minutes and 38 seconds in the 2nd. He didn’t give a goal until Tom Wilson scored in OT. There was a couple of times Delia was left out to dry by the Hawks defense but, he made mid-season stops. he bailed the team out quite a bit. You can’t cant really blame the lost on anyone since it’s a much of young bloods out there that haven’t played with each other to get a feel for one another. Colliton was impressed with him as well, saying things like he could be a No. 1 goalie and he wants that, he’s still young and has room for improvement.

I think he will eventually be the next big time goalie for the Blackhawks but, will have to wait on it for at least 3 to 5 years depending on which goalie wins the contract extension.

Now, for our final spot light it will be for Adam Boqvist. He has been waiting for a chance and this is his time to shine and he sure has in the first game. he had a helper and a goal of his own in the lost last night. He still has to development into a better defender but, being 19 he has time to do so. He finished the game with 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 takeaways, and 2 blocked shots on 16:10 of ice time.

Boqvist knows it’s hard to produce like that when the big guns are out there and he takes that into account and what happens if he stays on the roster or goes down he will take what he has learned from the game and his teammates and work on improving every day. Colliton mention how he’s a shooter and has great instincts, he can jump in to a play or create one and he can really zing the puck in.

I can’t be disappointed from the loss. I can take away that these young guys want to win and get a ring and that is what I want to see from them. They are the future of the Blackhawks and the future is mighty bright. But, can they keep it up for tonight against the Red Wings at 6:30.