Former Blackhawks Thriving With Their New Teams
By Mike Bober
Only looking back from last year’s trade deadline, some former Chicago Blackhawks players have been off to hot starts with their new clubs. Players such as Dominik Kubalik, Brandon Hagel, and Dylan Strome have had significant impacts after departing Chicago.
Dominik Kubalik
Probably the most notable ex-Blackhawk at this point in the season, Dominik Kubalik has 6 goals and 9 assists (15 points) in just 12 games with the Detroit Red Wings. He and Dylan Larkin have identical stats that are good enough for team-leading numbers in goals, assists, and points.
Dylan Strome
After the Washington Capitals’ victory against Edmonton Monday night, a game in which Dylan Strome had 2 goals and an assist, he now has 4 goals, 8 assists, and 12 points in 14 games for the Washington Capitals.
On the Capitals, Strome is tied for third in goals, and he is second-best on the team in both assists and points.
Some former Blackhawks players have been off to hot starts.
Brandon Hagel
Brandon Hagel finished last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning after being dealt at the deadline for Taylor Raddysh, Boris Katchouk, and two future first-round picks.
Through 12 games with Tampa, Hagel has 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points. He is tied for third on the Lightning in goals and points and is tied for fourth in assists.
Kirby Dach
Kirby Dach was a draft-day trade that not many people saw coming. He went to the Montreal Canadiens for two draft picks that ended up being Frank Nazar and Gavin Hayes.
In 12 games with Montreal, Dach has 2 goals, 8 assists, and 10 points. He is now first in assists and third in points for the Canadiens.
Alex DeBrincat
Another shocking trade for the Blackhawks was the deal that sent Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators for two draft picks (Kevin Korchinski and Paul Ludwinski). Through 11 games in Ottawa, DeBrincat has 2 goals, 7 assists, and 9 points.
Despite it being a slower start than many people imagined, DeBrincat is third in assists and tied for fourth in points on the Senators.
On Pace
While it is still very early in the season, and anything can happen, I will still calculate these players’ points per game average and how many points they are on pace for so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.
Yes, it is almost impossible for these players to stay at their current paces. They will get cold, and they will also get hot again.
It would be great for this group of guys to finish with these numbers, but that’s not very realistic. I just enjoy running the numbers and looking at statistics.
Dominik Kubalik
GPG: 0.5 APG: 0.75 PPG: 1.25
On pace for: G: 41 A: 62 P: 103
Dylan Strome
GPG: 0.29 APG: 0.57 PPG: 0.86
On pace for: G: 23 A: 47 P: 70
Brandon Hagel
GPG: 0.33 APG: 0.5 PPG: 0.83
On pace for: G: 27 A: 41 P: 68
Kirby Dach
GPG: 0.17 APG: 0.67 PPG: 0.83
On pace for: G: 14 A: 55 P: 68
Alex DeBrincat
GPG: 0.18 APG: 0.64 PPG: 0.82
On pace for: G: 15 A: 52 P: 67
Looking back at my season predictions for former Blackhawks players, I will compare their on-pace numbers to my predictions.
Dominik Kubalik
On pace for: G: 41 A: 62 P: 103
My prediction: G: 20 A: 15 P: 35
Dylan Strome
On pace for: G: 23 A: 47 P: 70
My prediction: G: 32 A: 41 P: 73
Brandon Hagel
I did not do a season prediction for Brandon Hagel.
Kirby Dach
On pace for: G: 14 A: 55 P: 68
My prediction: G: 15 A: 13 P: 28
Alex DeBrincat
On pace for: G: 15 A: 52 P: 67
My prediction: G: 43 A: 39 P: 82
The closest prediction that I have had so far is for Dylan Strome. According to what he is on pace for, I overshot it by only 3 points. So far, I have heavily underestimated Dominik Kubalik and Kirby Dach, while overestimating Alex DeBrincat.
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We will see how the rest of the season turns out, and I will be checking back in with these same players multiple times throughout the season.