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
| Duncan Keith | Brent Seabrook |
| Niklas Hjalmarsson | Trevor van Riemsdyk |
| Johnny Oduya | David Rundblad |
| Michal Rozsival | Kyle Cumiskey |