Which Chicago Blackhawks Defense Prospects Will Replace a Starter in 2014-15?

There are easier places for prospective NHL players to go than Chicago if they want to earn a spot with the varsity.

Simply put, the Chicago Blackhawks are loaded with talent up and down the roster. The forwards are among the most skilled players in the sport, while the blue line crew is loaded with talent (Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook) and grit (Johnny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson).

However, the Blackhawks are trying to put together a roster for the 2014-15 season, and general manager Stan Bowman has to take the salary cap into consideration. His team is currently $2.2 million over the league-mandated $69 million cap, according to CapGeek, and the Blackhawks are compelled to get down to that level or below by the time the season opens Oct. 9 at Dallas.

Bowman may have to get rid of some high-priced talent, and he may have to move a veteran defenseman. If he does, that may open up a spot or two for the team's young defensive talent.

In this piece, we rate the chances of five defensive prospects who are trying to earn a spot on the roster.

Adam Clendening

2013-14 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Stats: 74 games; 12 goals, 47 assists, 59 points, plus-five

Adam Clendening has the size, strength and savvy to step in and make a contribution on the blue line for the Blackhawks. The 6'0", 197-pounder brings a great deal of offensive skill to the table, and if he is going to earn a spot on the Blackhawks, his ability to create scoring opportunities will give him the edge on his competition.

Clendening played his college hockey at Boston University, and that's where this right-handed shooter developed many of his offensive skills. However, he has honed them with Rockford, and Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mark Kelley told Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com that Clendening could mount an aggressive challenge for a roster spot this year.

"His comfort level with the puck is special," Kelley said. "He can quarterback a power play and make a breakout pass. We love those defensemen who can make those tape passes coming out of our zone, and Adam can do that."

Chances of making the roster: 40 percent

Stephen Johns

2013-14 Team: Notre Dame University, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Stats: ND—40 games; eight goals, 12 assists, 20 points; Rockford—eight games; one goal, four assists, five points, plus-two

Stephen Johns may not have the professional resume of some of the top prospects, but he is a tough, physical player who is not afraid to get involved by delivering the hard check or taking one if it is required.

The 6'3", 229-pound Johns had 131 penalty minutes during the last two seasons with the Fighting Irish. He became far more disciplined in his play in 2013-14 after Notre Dame named him as one of its alternate captains.

Kelley thinks Johns has a chance to stick with the Blackhawks if he can continue his development. "What stand out are his size, skating, character and [desire to] compete," Kelley told Morreale. "We were thrilled [by] what he did when he got to Rockford, and I think he fits in as a right-hand shot. He'll be a good partner in our top four at some point."

Chances of making the roster: 30 percent

Klas Dahlbeck

2013-14 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Stats: 75 games; 10 goals, 25 assists, 35 points, plus-21

Klas Dahlbeck, 23, has a chance to make the Blackhawks as a depth defenseman. If they decide to make a move at the bottom end of the defensive ladder, Dahlbeck could have a chance to stick because he understands the system and does not make a lot of mistakes.

Dahlbeck is a 6'3", 207-pound Swedish native who is not afraid to go into the corner and win the battle for the puck, and he will also go to the front of the net with courage to block shots. His impressive plus-minus with Rockford (plus-32 in 145 career games) demonstrates that he keeps his game simple and does not try to do things on the ice that are not a regular part of his game just to impress scouts and coaches.

"We think he's capable of playing in [the NHL] now as a depth player," Kelley told NHL.com. "He's reliable and efficient. He fits that mold of defensive defenseman since he has that ability to shut down an opponent."

Chances of making the roster: 20 percent

David Rundblad

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

2013-14 Team: Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks

Stats: Phoenix—12 games; 0 goals, one assist, one point, minus-three; Chicago—five games; 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, minus-one

David Rundblad is a talented athlete who was the 17th pick in the first round during the 2009 draft. He should be coming into his own at this point, but he has not developed his talent yet.

The St. Louis Blues drafted him, and he was traded to Ottawa and then to Phoenix before the Blackhawks acquired him last year. 

Rundblad is a fine skater with offensive skills, but he is a defensive liability at this point. He will get a look in training camp, but he will have to show Joel Quenneville quite a bit of improvement if the head coach is going to come to the conclusion that Rundblad can make an elite team's NHL roster.

Bowman believes that Rundblad could start to show some improvement. "I think he’s an example of a young player who’s ready for an opportunity,” Bowman told Scott Powers of ESPNChicago in June. “He’s in that age bracket where he’s 23, 24 years old. I think he just needs an opportunity for us. He’s got a ton of talent."

Still, it seems unlikely he will earn a spot with the Blackhawks.

Chances of making the roster: 10 percent

Trevor Van Riemsdyk

2013-14 Team: University of New Hampshire

Stats: 26 games; four goals, 19 assists, 23 points

Analysis: Trevor van Riemsdyk, 22, is the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk. He is a long shot to make the roster after playing the last three years in Hockey East with the Wildcats, but he believes the Blackhawks are a good fit for him.

That's why the 6'2", 188-pounder signed with them as a free agent during the spring. 

"Wherever I went, I didn’t think I’d be right in the NHL," Van Riemsdyk told Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I knew I had work to do to get bigger, stronger and faster, and I knew the Hawks could develop guys into great players."

That kind of maturity could help him throughout his run in training camp. He's not counting on making the team right now, so he is not as likely to feel pressure. That may help him to relax, play his best hockey and give him a better chance to impress his bosses and earn an NHL uniform.

Chances of making the roster: 10 percent