It is no secret that it has been a far quieter off-season this year for the Chicago Blackhawks compared to last year. While this is the case, the Blackhawks did make a few new additions, as they brought in Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty, and Dominic Toninato.
With this, let's take a look at where each player could end up fitting into the Blackhawks' lineup now.
Andre Burakovsky Should Fit In Blackhawks' Top Six
When looking at the Blackhawks' current roster, it is likely that Burakovsky will have a spot in their top six. There are not too many better wingers than Burakovsky on the Blackhawks right now, and they are likely to give him the best chance to succeed after acquiring him from the Seattle Kraken.
Burakovsky could be a nice fit playing with either Connor Bedard on the first line or Frank Nazar on the second line. In either scenario, Burakovsky would give one of Chicago's young centers the opportunity to play with a skilled veteran.
Sam Lafferty Should Fit On Blackhawks' Fourth Line
Lafferty has been a bottom-six forward throughout his career, and this should not change during his latest stint with the Blackhawks. When looking at Chicago's current group, Lafferty could be a nice fit as their new fourth-line center. However, due to his versatility, he could move to the wing on their fourth line if needed.
Dominic Toninato Should Fit As Extra Or AHL Forward
It seems likely that Toninato will serve as simply an extra orward for the Blackhawks next season if he makes their NHL roster. However, Toninato could also be a nice addition for the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, as he would give them a veteran forward to help mentor their youngsters.
Blackhawks Key Forward Is Big X-Factor During the 2024 NHL off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year, $22 million contract. The expectation was that he would be a key part of the Blackhawks' forward group, and it is fair to say that he was just that for them during the 2024-25 season.
Photo Credit: © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
