Blackhawks to start season with 8 defensemen

The Chicago Blackhawks will start the season with eight defensemen, head coach Joel Quenneville informed the media Sunday after practice.

Defenseman Michal Rozsival was also announced as doubtful to play in the season opener on Thursday against the Dallas Stars and it appears Swedish countrymen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya will be split up.

Who makes the cut?

#Blackhawks' roster pretty much set:for opener. Defensemen: Cumiskey, Hjalmarsson, Keith, Oduya, Rozsival, Rundblad, Seabrook, van Riemsdyk.

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) October 5, 2014

Hjalmarsson-van Riemsdyk & Oduya-Rundblad have consistently been paired together in 5-on-5 work.

— Scott Powers (@ESPNChiPowers) October 5, 2014

Not sure how #Blackhawks are going to make it work cap-wise but Joel Quenneville definitely said it will be 23-man roster with 8 defensemen.

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) October 5, 2014

Projected Season Pairings