Let’s discuss the defensive pairings for the Blackhawks, focusing on their initial configurations and last night’s outcomes. Alex Vlasic had a strong performance last season alongside Seth Jones. However, the coaches opted to separate them at the season’s onset, pairing Vlasic with TJ Brodie and Jones with Alec Martinez. This strategy didn’t pan out, leading the coaches to reunite Jones and Vlasic during the second period.
Here’s a breakdown of shot attempts during even strength for Vlasic last night, based on his most frequent defensive partners:
– **Seth Jones**: 8:32 TOI, 10 shots for, 9 against
– **TJ Brodie**: 7:40 TOI, 6 shots for, 10 against
While neither pairing’s numbers are impressive, the stats with Brodie are particularly concerning since they were on the ice for two goals scored against them at even strength. Vlasic contributed to two goals for the Blackhawks and was present for three even-strength goals against, with his shot deflected into the net for Chicago’s second goal.
Recent statistics often give the impression of a player’s poor performance, but the GameScore Impact Card from last night indicates a real issue with Brodie, who stands out for all the wrong reasons.
This situation mirrors a pattern observed during the preseason. Brodie’s statistics in those games (even strength ice time, shot attempts for and against, goals for and against) were as follows (data from Natural Stat Trick):
– vs. Det (Sept. 25): 16:07 TOI, 8-14 Corsi (lowest % among defensemen on the team), 0-1 goals
– at Det (Sept. 27): 16:34 TOI, 12-19 Corsi, 0-1 goals
– vs. Min (Oct. 4): 18:06 TOI, 20-21 Corsi (most attempts against on the team), 0-1 goals
Calculating these, Brodie faced 54 shot attempts against compared to 40 for him over 50:47 of ice time in three preseason games. The numbers from last night align with this trend. Brodie’s opponents have been averaging more than one shot attempt per minute while he’s on the ice for the Blackhawks. Notably, during the 5:58 he spent with Martinez at even strength last night, shot attempts were even at 12-12, which is decent offensively, yet yielding 12 shots against in that short span is troubling.
This situation isn’t entirely surprising. Last season, while playing for a shot-heavy Toronto team, Brodie was one of only two defensemen to lace up for 55 or more games while maintaining a SAT% below 50% on the Leafs’ roster, with stats of 49.7 in 78 games and 49.2 in 55 for Timothy Liljegren.
**The Brodie Dilemma**
When the Blackhawks signed Brodie on July 1—just after publicly announcing the rest of their deals—it raised eyebrows, including mine. While players like Martinez, Pat Maroon, and Craig Smith received one-year contracts, Brodie was awarded a two-year deal.
I grasp the potential benefits of Brodie’s role. As a left-shot defenseman playing on the right, he could serve a dual purpose: filling a position while the Blackhawks develop Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Louis Crevier, and mentoring young left-shot d-men, such as Nolan Allan, who may also play on the right.
Furthermore, with his two-year contract, both he and Connor Murphy’s deals will expire in the summer of 2026, coinciding with the beginning of Connor Bedard’s next contract.
This proposed role and contract duration made sense—if the player fits the model. Based on the three preseason games and one regular-season match, I fail to see that fit. Since training camp began in mid-September, I’ve questioned whether Brodie ranks among the top six or seven defensemen currently in the organization, a dilemma that becomes increasingly challenging as younger players progress and assert their readiness for consistent NHL play.
