What position could the Blackhawks’ new signings occupy in the lineup?

The Chicago Blackhawks certainly didn’t sit idly by on the first day of free agency. Not only will it help the Blackhawks next season in the standings, but it will allow some prospects to take their time getting to Chicago. If they earn their spot, so be it. But there will be no rush or pressure on the clock. They’ll come when they come, especially with the roster having improved significantly in the top six.

Let’s take a closer look at each signing and briefly discuss what position they will occupy on the Hawks roster.

Blackhawks signings by term

Tyler Bertuzzi
4 years, $5.5M AAV
Top six forwards

Bertuzzi got the ball rolling by announcing his arrival early in the process. The 29-year-old winger has plenty of experience in a rebuild, but never got to see it through, having been traded to Boston. He played in two playoff series, both of which were eliminated in the first round. Bertuzzi is projected as a top-six forward, and while some believe he’ll be a starter, his scoring inconsistency will likely push him to the second line at some point. Bertuzzi will also be a great addition on the power play.

Teuvo Teravainen
3 years, $5.4M AAV
Top six forwards

It’s a reunion for the former fan favorite who scored 25 goals last season with the Carolina Hurricanes. He seems like the more likely candidate to replace Connor Bedard on the wing and will also be a weapon on the power play for the Blackhawks. He and Bertuzzi have solidified a top-six forward group for the Blackhawks and could potentially be interchangeable for coach Luke Richardson.

Laurent Brossoit
2 years, $3.3 million
Reserve goalkeeper

Here’s one of the best shots with impressive value. Brossoit was just two games away from winning the Jennings Trophy and could be a complementary half of a duo with Petr Mrazek. Arvid Soderblom was still a bit too inexperienced to handle what teams were bringing to the table on a daily basis — with an injury-riddled Blackhawks lineup in front of him for most of the season. Reducing Mrazek’s workload will help significantly and give Chicago a stronger one-two punch between the posts.

T.J. Brodie
2 years, $3.75 million
The Worst Four Couples

Brodie’s production and play suffered in the second half of last season, which affected his ice time and kept him as a healthy reserve during the playoffs. But he’s still particularly good at his position, which will benefit him when paired with Korchinski or potentially Wyatt Kaiser. The scrutiny won’t be what it was in Toronto, and Brodie has a chance to benefit from a change of scenery.

Alec Martinez
1 year, $4 million
The Worst Four Couples

Yes, I still put him in the top four pairing because I think Martinez has a chance to really calm the defense down. A seasoned pro, Martinez brings a seasoned presence with playoff experience, as well as a chance to really mentor some of the younger players (think Kevin Korchinski) who are finally getting to play the way they should.

Pat Maroon
1 year, $1.3 million
Bottom six forward

Don’t get the wrong bottom six forwards – this is another important signing as the days of players who played with Connor Bedard or other younger players are over. Maroon can help where needed, but the real value is in him patrolling the ice and without having to take his gloves off, keeping some of his tricks to a minimum.

Craig Smith
1 year, $1.1 million
Bottom six forward

Smith has scored 11 goals and will fill a bottom six role to add depth to the squad. Once a regular 20-goal scorer, Smith’s stats have dipped slightly, but he still has a knack for goal and would be seventh on the team in goals in 2023-24.