What we know about the Blackhawks after 3 preseason games

Three preseason games down for the Chicago Blackhawks , three to go.

Here's what we've learned about the Blackhawks so far:

Joey Anderson , forward: Anderson had a strong first preseason game and was quieter in his second game. Curious whether the Blackhawks give him, Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson a game together. That was the Blackhawks' best line last season. It's probably worth a look again this season before deciding what to do with Anderson, who has proven he's a solid NHL player.

Colton Dach , forward: My prediction is Dach will be in the NHL at some point this season. He was heading in that direction last season before his injury. He was solid in his two preseason games last week and had moments where he was getting to the net and creating chances. It wasn't consistent enough to take away a spot from someone else, but the Blackhawks have to like his progress. There was one wraparound chance against Detroit that was especially noticeable. According to Natural Stat Trick , Dach, Craig Smith and Cole Guttman have had a team-high five scoring chances in five-on-five play during the preseason. If Dach can consistently do that in Rockford for some time, he'll force his way into the Blackhawks roster.

Ryan Donato , forward: Donato came into camp fighting for a spot and was probably outside the top four lines before the preseason games. But considering the chemistry he and Craig Smith had in the preseason debut, they probably deserve more time together. They've arguably been the Blackhawks' best duo in preseason so far. Donato spent a lot of time this offseason tweaking his skating and becoming more efficient. For Anderson and Donato, it probably comes down to what the Blackhawks want to do with players like Andreas Athanasiou and Patrick Maroon. The Blues had an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal with the line of Maroon, Athanasiou and Samuel Savoie on the ice on Saturday. Athanasiou and Maroon are probably lineup locks, but the Blackhawks should want to see more if they really want roster competitions.

Cole Guttman, forward: Guttman may be a casualty of the veteran numbers in camp, too. His play stood out during his two preseason games and his analytics supported that. The Blackhawks had a 30-20 shot attempt advantage and a 12-9 advantage in scoring chances with Guttman on the ice. Does he deserve an NHL spot? He's close, but probably has to prove himself in Rockford as a call-up.

Taylor Hall , forward: A positive sign for the Blackhawks is Hall looked dominant at times in the game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. He was flying around and making plays. He set up both goals. He was playing with Philipp Kurashev and Ilya Mikheyev , and that line probably had some of the best shifts of the Blackhawks' preseason. In Hall's two games, the Blackhawks have had a 13-7 advantage in scoring chances in five-on-five play with him on the ice. He could be a major X-factor this season.

Kevin Korchinski , defenseman: Korchinski and Frank Nazar have played in all three preseason games so far. Korchinski's play has been OK. He's shooting more and looks better defensive positionally, but there are still youthful mistakes and he just isn't aggressive enough offensively. He has to get more comfortable using his assets to influence the play within the offensive zone. He could be so much more dangerous with and without the puck to contribute offensively. He played with Connor Murphy , T.J. Brodie and Alex Vlasic over the three games. Analytically, he played the best with Murphy and the worst with Brodie. Wyatt Kaiser hasn't played yet due to injury. If he's not back this week, it's possible Korchinski makes the team out of camp, but he may be destined for Rockford either way. They need him to become a difference-maker.

Ilya Mikheyev, forward: Mikheyev stood out in his preseason debut on Saturday. While many players in preseason leave you gauging whether they're legitimate NHL players or where exactly they fit, Mikheyev's NHL skills were noticeable immediately. He might make sense on the second line with Kurashev and Hall rather than Lukas Reichel . Mikheyev's confidence with the puck separates him.

Frank Nazar, forward: Nazar has had a disappointing preseason so far. He's had glimpses where he's shown his speed, skill and intelligence in his three games, but it hasn't been consistent and he has spent most of his ice time in the defensive zone. In his 39:27 of five-on-five ice time, opponents have had a 51-26 advantage in shot attempts, 25-9 in shots on goal and 3-0 in goals. He also cost the Blackhawks a goal with a boarding penalty against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and had another dangerous hit against the Blues on Saturday. He may get more preseason games, but he'll likely have to play exceptionally to stick with the team out of camp.

Lukas Reichel, forward: Reichel has appeared in just one preseason game so far, but it wasn't the start he and the Blackhawks were hoping for. He didn't do much in one game. With so many new veterans and younger players fighting for spots, the bar should be higher for Reichel, especially if he's going to be given a top-six spot again. It's not as if the Blackhawks would put him on waivers, but it would help the Blackhawks if he'd elevate his play in the remaining preseason games.

Craig Smith, forward: Smith didn't get a ton of ice time and opportunity playing with the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars , but his offensive upside might open up better opportunities with the Blackhawks. He could have scored multiple goals in his preseason debut and he had a few more scoring chances in his second game. It'll be interesting to see where he's placed in the lineup, but he could be moved up during the games if the team's offense is sputtering.

AJ Spellacy , forward: Spellacy is the lone junior player left on the roster. We'll see how much longer he lasts, but he's definitely gotten Blackhawks management's attention with his speed and size. It's unlikely the Blackhawks do it, but what would they have to lose in allowing Spellacy to play some regular-season games? He's someone Blackhawks fans can get excited about. He's also raw and can use some coaching, but he's making the type of noticeable plays few others are making. It's unfortunate the Blackhawks can't send him to Rockford because he might be closer to the NHL than the Blackhawks could have expected when drafting him in the third round in June.

Seventh defenseman: You could probably make an argument for Nolan Allan , Louis Crevier , Ethan Del Mastro or Isaak Phillips to be the seventh defenseman out of camp. There are pluses and minuses to all of them. It might be a situation where the rest of the preseason is a better indicator.

(Photo of AJ Spellacy: Michael Reaves / )