Blackhawks season preview: Crawford's health key to success

The 2018-19 NHL season begins Oct. 3. With training camps open, NHL.com is taking a look at the five keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lines for all 31 teams. Today, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Coach:Joel Quenneville (11th season)
Last season: 33-39-10; seventh place Central Division
RELATED: [Complete Season Preview coverage]

5 KEYS

1. Crawford's health

Corey Crawford is making progress in recovering from a concussion that caused him to miss the final 47 games last season. Crawford, who was 16-9-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in 28 games, has not practiced with the team in the preseason, and it's unknown if the 33-year-old will be ready for the season opener at the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 4. If not, the Blackhawks will turn to Cam Ward, who was 23-14-4 with a 2.73 GAA and .906 save percentage in 43 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season.

2. Getting off to good start

After being swept by the Nashville Predators in the 2016 Western Conference First Round and missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, there's increased pressure to win this season. As Blackhawks president John McDonough said, "The message has been sent." If success eludes the Blackhawks early, there could be changes to the front office and coaching staff.

3. Veterans regaining their game

Defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook will have the weight on their shoulders because of injuries to other defensemen. Connor Murphy will be out approximately eight weeks with a back injury, and Gustav Forsling will be out until November after offseason surgery on his right wrist. Forwards Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad are expected to be more productive this season after each had his lowest point total in a full NHL season in 2017-18. Toews had 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) in 74 games, and Saad had 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 82 games.
"I want to stay healthy for 82 games, be a consistent contributor, and have one of the best seasons I've had in a long time," Toews said. "Obviously that's the goal in my mind, just coming in, playing better and being more powerful, stronger on the puck, and being more dynamic offensively."

4. Young players finding their place

As the Blackhawks look to bridge the gap between veterans and youth, forwards Nick Schmaltz, 22, and Alex DeBrincat, 20, will be leading the way. Schmaltz has solidified his spot at second-line center and has found great chemistry with right wing Patrick Kane. DeBrincat is ready for a first- or second-line role after playing most of last season as an NHL rookie in the bottom six. Schmaltz and DeBrincat each had 52 points, tied with Toews for second on the Blackhawks behind Kane's 76, and could make an even bigger impact this season.

5. Improvement on power play

The Blackhawks had a power-play percentage of 16.0 percent last season, tied for 28th in the NHL and their lowest percentage since 2007-08 (15.9 percent). They scored 157 goals at 5-on-5 (tied for 17th in NHL), so they have enough offensive talent to be better with the man-advantage.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut

Forward Dominik Kahun, 23, agreed to terms with the Blackhawks on May 21 after he had 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 42 games with EHC Munchen in Germany last season. He will be competing for a bottom-six spot this season. Also in that mix could be center David Kampf, 23, who had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 46 games last season; Matthew Highmore, 22, who had two goals in 12 games last season; and Marcus Kruger, who was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in the trade for Marian Hossa on May 3. Kruger, 28, had six points (one goal, five assists) in 48 games with the Hurricanes last season and played for the Blackhawks when they won the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015.

Most intriguing addition

The Blackhawks signed Ward to a one-year contract July 1 to ensure they'd have an experienced backup goaltender if Crawford was unavailable, something they didn't have during the second half of last season. Ward, 34, said he'll be ready to play as much as needed. That's good, because with Crawford's health still a concern, Ward could end up being more of a No. 1 than a backup.

Biggest potential surprise

Defenseman Henri Jokiharju, 19, was considered an outside shot to play in the NHL this season, but with Murphy and Forsling out for some time, his opportunity could be now. General manager Stan Bowman has said he likes the progress the No. 29 pick of the 2017 NHL Draft made last season, when he had 71 points (12 goals, 59 assists) in 63 games with Portland in the Western Hockey League. Jokiharju was paired with Keith early during training camp, and coach Joel Quenneville has liked what he's seen.
"He might be one of those guys who could find a way," Quenneville said.

Ready to break through

Forward Dylan Sikura is ready for a bigger role. The 23-year-old had three assists in five games with the Blackhawks late last season. That brief NHL introduction came after he finished his fourth season at Northeastern University with 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 35 games. Sikura may not be in the top six immediately, but he's got the talent to be there soon.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Victor Ejdsell -- Jonathan Toews -- Alex DeBrincat
Brandon Saad -- Nick Schmaltz -- Patrick Kane
Chris Kunitz -- Artem Anisimov -- Dylan Sikura
Dominik Kahun -- Marcus Kruger -- John Hayden
Duncan Keith -- Henri Jokiharju
Erik Gustafsson -- Brent Seabrook
Brandon Manning -- Jan Rutta
Corey Crawford
Cam Ward