Blackhawks training camp: Key storylines revolve around Kevin Korchinski, Lukas Reichel

The Blackhawks began training camp with player physicals Wednesday and will take the ice for the first time Thursday at Fifth Third Arena, giving them three weeks to prepare for their regular-season opener Oct. 8 in Utah.

With that in mind, here are five key storylines to follow through the Hawks’ camp and preseason:

Bedard’s linemates

One spot in the Hawks’ lineup that can be inscribed in stone is Connor Bedard as the first-line center. It will be interesting to see who wins the competition to start the season as his wingers.

Returnees Philipp Kurashev and Taylor Hall and additions Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi are the contenders.

Kurashev reads the game similarly to Bedard, and they were glued at the hip last season; 34 of Bedard’s 55 points from November on were either scored or assisted by Kurashev. They struggled defensively together, however, and Kurashev will also have to prove his productivity wasn’t a flash in the pan.

Bertuzzi could use his scrappy style to win puck battles and clean up Bedard’s rebounds in the crease. Teravainen could use his passing ability to orchestrate plays with Bedard and also help with defensive duties. Hall is an uncertainty coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but he believes he’ll be a substantial point-producer this season — and he has been an off-ice mentor for Bedard, too.

Korchinski’s destination

One of the biggest questions entering camp last year was whether defenseman Kevin Korchinski would make the Hawks’ roster or return to his junior team. He ended up being one of 11 rookies leaguewide to make 76 NHL appearances.

This year, his destination is yet again one of camp’s biggest questions. Will he make the NHL roster? Or, since he’s now AHL-eligible, will he start with Rockford?

The Hawks prefer being ultra-patient with their prospects, and Korchinski might be able to utilize his offensive skills more readily once he feels more confident and assertive defensively. Going to the AHL at this point would represent an unusual development path, though.

Reichel’s resurgence

Speaking of confidence, no Hawks player was more negatively affected by a lack of confidence last season than Lukas Reichel. He seemed to be in a better headspace by springtime, however, with a better understanding of how to process and move on from inevitable mistakes.

After another summer of gaining strength — and with a new two-year contract in hand — he has an opportunity to achieve that breakout one year later. A strong camp and preseason would build some much-needed momentum, but a quiet preseason would further fuel concerns about his tendency to play on the perimeter.

More roster battles

The Hawks hope their plethora of additions will increase competition for roles up and down the lineup, but the battles for the final few roster spots will have the highest stakes.

Among the forwards, prospects Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach and depth pieces Joey Anderson and Cole Guttman will try to unseat veterans such as Ryan Donato, Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.

Among the defensemen, prospects Wyatt Kaiser, Ethan Del Mastro, Nolan Allan, Isaak Phillips and Louis Crevier will duke it out for one or two vacant spots (depending on Korchinski’s fate).

Injury timelines

Second overall pick Artyom Levshunov wasn’t able to participate in prospect camp last week because of a foot injury. Although it’s not expected to necessitate a long-term absence, he could miss some — or even all — of camp before heading to Rockford to start the season. That would be a bummer for fans and for his development.

Meanwhile, new goalie Laurent Brossoit will likely miss all of camp and potentially the start of the season recovering from late-summer meniscus surgery. Arvid Soderblom, who struggled mightily last season, might have to start the season as Petr Mrazek’s backup yet again.