The Blackhawks have solid line options in Nazar, Bertuzzi & Teräväinen – Hockey Writer – Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks played three preseason games, and while they were still trying different lines and units to see what works they could work, there seemed to be something already: the second line.
Together with Frank Nazar, Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teräväinen, they were the second line for the team in most of the training camp and, considering that they played together for the first time together on September 28, they showed the same commitment as last season.
Blackhawks second line numbers
The lines of Nazar, Bertuzzi and Teräväinen are nothing new. Former head coach Anders Sorensen kept them in a consistent pairing in March, playing together in the last 10 games of the season. In this range, they rank third (92) on Corsi-For’s team. Their high-risk chances are the fourth largest (16) and their scoring chances are the third best (44). Even if they combined only two goals in 10 games, what you can take from the numbers is the line creating opportunities, and it is wise to continue to see it.
Head coach Jeff Blashill seems to have the same view, as he mentioned that he does not want to break up during a team melee, suggesting their familiarity. So, in the preseason against Minnesota wilderness, they were deployed, which was no surprise, ended up bringing dividends.
Nazar recorded a hat trick, one of which was a powerful game goal in the first phase, where all three players managed to find each other. Bertuzzi and Teräväinen ended the night with two points, while Nazar had three points. They drove the bus with a 4-1 victory.
I spoke to Teräväinen on September 27 and I asked him to see the line so efficiently, and he replied, “I think we have a little bit of everything. Frank is really fast. He is really fast. He can skate well, and Bert is very good online and he won a lot of struggles; for me, I just wanted Frank to find Frank and quickly find Frank. Going to the back door, so I find him sometimes.
While it wasn’t a five-on-five goal, Nazar’s powerful goal illustrates what Travin is talking about. Teräväinen is a great passer so he can always find Nazar or Nazar or Bertuzzi on the ice and scored the goal just like the speed Nazar showed.
After the game, Nazar said: “Honestly, I’m lucky to be able to play with some guys who can keep me with the puck and Bert and Teuvo are really good today. Honestly, I’m just focusing on the process, not the result, and I think we’ve done a lot of good things today.”
Nazar, Bertuzzi and Teräväinen are still successful line options
This is still the preseason, with three games left before the season begins on October 7. However, it is safe to assume that the second line is the one that Blackhawk might choose to stick to. Due to frequent roster changes in the team, the Blackhawks’ lines haven’t had much chemistry in recent years, so this could be an important chemistry in the season.
Related: Q&A with Black Hawk Difference Manufacturer Ryan Donato
If it’s not going bankrupt, don’t fix it, and they seem to have gotten the spot at the end of last season.
When General Manager Kyle Davidson signed Teräväinen and Bertuzzi in free agency in July 2024, he will sign a seven-year contract that looks like it’s just a threatening black man who will continue to sign, which will be a threatening sale, he will sign a seven-year contract.
