Craig Smith Stands Out in Blackhawks’ Preseason Opener: ‘I’ve Got Something to Prove’
A Dream Come True
Growing up in the 1990s in Madison, Wisconsin, Craig Smith watched a lot more college hockey — specifically, the University of Wisconsin — than pro hockey. But 100% of the NHL apparel he did own was a Blackhawks hat. Thus, one could portray his signing with the Hawks this summer as a full-circle moment, although that portrayal might be a stretch.
“It’s close to home for me, so the excitement was already there,” Smith said. “I love the [United Center] and I love the city, so it was a no-brainer for me. [It’s] a little bit of a dream come true.”
A Standout Performance
Smith made his unofficial Hawks debut in the preseason opener Wednesday, a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings. The 35-year-old forward had plenty of jump in his legs, bursting through for several scoring chances before scoring a backhand goal in the second period.
Prospect Standouts
The Hawks already have sent four OHL prospects back to their respective junior teams, but they decided to keep two — forwards Nick Lardis and A.J. Spellacy — and put them in the lineup against the Red Wings, rewarding them for their strong performances in prospect and main camp.
Lardis’ stock has risen significantly since being drafted in the third round in 2023. As an average-sized forward with an elite shot, one might expect him to be more of a perimeter player, but he seems to realize that he’ll need to get into more dangerous interior areas to eventually produce in the NHL.
“It’s important for me to learn the habits of getting to the net,” Lardis said. “Eighty-five percent of the goals are scored right around the crease. . . [so] I want to keep doing that more.”
Spellacy, a 2024 third-round pick, also looks more mature than expected. Not only is he a powerful skater, but he also brings some fire and grit, which he put on display in a first-period scrum.
“He’s just a smart sports person,” coach Luke Richardson said. “He picks up things, and he’s intelligent. [He] knows how to ingest it and implement it right away. So that’s a good sign.”
Sloppy Start
Because the Hawks have scrimmaged so much in training camp, they haven’t spent much time practicing power-play situations yet, and that was evident Wednesday. Their first opportunity produced some good looks, but their three man-advantages after that yielded little.
“That was one of many areas in which the Hawks weren’t sharp in their preseason opener,” said Connor Bedard, who assisted Teuvo Teravainen for the Hawks’ second goal.
Conclusion
Craig Smith’s performance in the preseason opener was a highlight for the Blackhawks, and the team’s prospects also made a strong impression. With the regular season just around the corner, the Hawks will look to build on this momentum and make improvements in areas such as power-play execution.
FAQs
Q: Why did Craig Smith choose to sign with the Blackhawks?
A: Smith chose the Blackhawks because it’s close to home and he loves the United Center and the city.
Q: Who are some of the standout prospects for the Blackhawks?
A: Nick Lardis and A.J. Spellacy are two prospects who stood out in the preseason opener.
Q: What is Craig Smith’s goal for the upcoming season?
A: Smith wants to prove himself and establish a stable depth role with the Hawks.
Q: When will Artyom Levshunov return from his foot injury?
A: Levshunov is expected to return around October 20, which would be roughly three games into Rockford’s season.
Prospect AJ Spellacy was another noticeable player Wednesday.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
