Chicago Blackhawks officially announce starting lineup for preseason game vs the Red Wings

The Chicago Blackhawks get ready to take on the Detroit Red Wings in a preseason opener, and their roster will feature a mix of battle-hardened veterans and up-and-coming young players.

According to head coach Luke Richardson, numerous spots remain available as the team heads toward the opener, particularly on defense. One player so far who has stood tall in training camp is Isaak Phillips, who continues to make an excellent case for a place on the NHL club. In any case, his performance has caught the eye of coaches and management alike, a commitment by the team to build a competitive squad this season.

Unfortunately for Blackhawks fans, they will need to wait to watch Isaak Phillips make his preseason debut, as he is going to be sitting this one out. Fans will get to see newcomer Tyler Bertuzzi make his debut, as he will slot in beside young phenom Connor Bedard.

Luke Richardson's approach towards the preseason seems to be flexible in strategy. The newer line combinations will most likely be experimented with during the course of the upcoming games. One such interesting combination could be between Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard, and Taylor Hall. This line can add a great mix of grit and scoring while putting that experience together with the great future talent of Bedard, however for this game at least, Hall will be on the second line.

Tyler Bertuzzi's road to Chicago has been one for the books. A Detroit draftee originally in 2013, Bertuzzi became a Red Wing for the first time in 2016. Through his eight-year career thus far, he's molded himself into one of the grittier forwards around the league with the capability to score points consistently. In 2021-22, he had the best season of his career with 30 goals and 32 assists. After a short spell with the Boston Bruins, where he contributed in the playoffs, Bertuzzi joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023-24 season, bolstering their lineup.

Despite all the success in Toronto, Bertuzzi hit free agency again in hopes of landing with a team where he'd find opportunity and stability. Chicago, coming off a tough season but armed with promising talent in Connor Bedard, among others, fit the mold. That contract offer was the one that it seemed Bertuzzi was looking for, with four years locked in. This also makes sense in a large way for the Blackhawks, who are trying to develop around their core of youngsters while sprinkling in veterans like Bertuzzi to show the way and provide leadership.

Preseason preparation by the Blackhawks appears to focus with clarity on the evaluation of veterans and rising stars alike as management attempts to firm up the lineup. With talents such as Isaak Phillips on the rise and line combinations like Bertuzzi, Bedard, and possibly Hall, this could be a team that refines its roster. As preseason action moves along, the franchise will continue to evaluate talent and chemistry, with some promising intrigue in the regular season. It is this mix of youth and experience that just might provide the building blocks for a far more competitive future.