Blackhawks Make Surprising Top Line Change Before Opening Night
Throughout the Blackhawks’ preseason, media members speculated heavily on Chicago’s opening night lineup. While certain groupings seemed set early in training camp, the team continually made adjustments. **By Sunday, the lineup appeared finalized.**
However, before heading to Utah, the Blackhawks made a surprising last-minute tweak to their top forward line. In a move that caught many off guard, the team elevated recent acquisition Ilya Mikheyev to the top line with Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teravainen, pushing Tyler Bertuzzi to the second line.
Mikheyev hadn’t been considered for the top line all month. Initially, he was expected to be a third-line regular alongside Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson. When it became clear Lukas Reichel wasn’t ready for the opening lineup, Mikheyev was seen as a likely second-line winger. But with a seemingly solid top line of Teravainen, Bedard, and Bertuzzi, this shift was unexpected.
Mikheyev’s fit with Teravainen and Bedard will be tested on Tuesday, though his speed and defensive ability make him a strong candidate for the role. Bedard has praised Mikheyev’s speed, noting him as one of the fastest players in the league, a trait the Blackhawks have been prioritizing.
With this change, Chicago’s second line will now feature Bertuzzi, Taylor Hall, and Philipp Kurashev. This group also promises a balanced mix of scoring and defensive skills. The bottom six remains unchanged, with Foligno, Dickinson, and Joey Anderson on the third line, and Pat Maroon, Ryan Donato, and Craig Smith rounding out the fourth line.
