Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic turned 23 this summer. Right on cue, he experienced a phenomenon that 99% of -humans dread.
As one gets older, one gains weight more easily.
But Vlasic appreciated it. Filling out his 6-6 frame and reaching his maximum physical strength has been a challenge, but he believes he’s finally nearing that threshold.
After entering last season — his first full season with the Hawks — weighing 218 pounds and finishing it around 212, he now weighs about 222 as his second NHL season approaches.
“I’ve put on almost 10 pounds since the season ended,” Vlasic said. “Last summer, it was a struggle to put on that weight. I felt like I had to eat way more. This summer, it feels like it’s a little bit easier to do. So maybe that’s me getting older and my body filling out.
“I’m assuming the next couple years will be the same situation. It’ll be easier, and I’ll continue to put on some more weight. Hopefully I don’t get to the point where I’m worrying about what I’m eating and I have to slim down.”
He has noticed the difference most in the gym, where he feels stronger and sturdier. On the ice, he doesn’t feel much different, which is probably a good thing considering how excellent he was last season.
Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson was convinced by that performance to commit to Vlasic as his first long-term signing, securing the Wilmette native with a six-year, $27.6 million contract just one week after the season ended in April. -Vlasic, whose down-to-earth personality and humility fits the “hometown kid” narrative perfectly, called it a “no-brainer” decision.
“I don’t think it really has sunk in,” he said. “Seeing it all inked up is pretty crazy. I don’t really feel any different. I don’t go about my life in a different way. It’s just nice to have a little bit of security. I don’t think money is what I’m playing the game for. I want to win, and I want to win a Stanley Cup and win it for Chicago. That’s the goal.”
Vlasic’s next test will entail avoiding the often difficult-to-avoid sophomore slump in 2024-25, now that expectations have risen so much and opposing teams know who he is.
Connor Bedard’s attempt to improve upon his equally impressive rookie season will receive more attention than Vlasic’s — and that might be a good thing for the latter, reducing some of the pressure — but the Hawks will nonetheless depend on Vlasic to anchor their defense.
“I’m pretty much trying to replicate the summer I had last year because it set myself up in a way where I came in really confident and feeling really good about my game,” he said. “That’s making me feel more comfortable about that whole ‘sophomore slump’ situation.”
One of many things he has kept constant is his training location: Fifth Third Arena, the Hawks’ usual practice facility throughout the season. Relatively few Hawks stay in Chicago throughout the summer — Connor Murphy being one notable exception — but it makes sense for Vlasic to do so.
One thing he has changed slightly, though, is his slap-shot technique. For all of the areas in which he excelled last season, goal-scoring was not one of them — he scored just two goals in 76 games — and he identified his lack of power from the blue line to be a cause.
The data backs that up. Only 15.5% of Vlasic’s shots on goal were slap shots (11 of 71), ranking eighth out of 10 regular Hawks defensemen — well below Seth Jones (24.4%) and Kevin Korchinski (23.7%). Moreover, Vlasic’s fastest recorded shot speed was 90.5 mph, significantly slower than Jones (98.0) and Korchinski (93.2).
“That was one of the biggest things I wanted to work on this summer — having that threat from the point, having the ability to shoot a puck 95 miles an hour,” Vlasic said. “If it’s not going in, it’s hitting off somebody or causing some chaos in front of the net.
“Even if you don’t shoot the puck, if you can be known to have that threat, then it opens up passing options because people are going to be getting in lanes when they think you’re going to shoot it.”
Vlasic watched Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard closely during the playoffs. After the Stanley Cup was awarded, he studied video of guys such as Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (who recorded one of the NHL’s fastest shots last season at 102.2 mph) and Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (a left-handed shooter with a frame similar to Vlasic’s).
He ended up making a few adjustments to his shooting motion as a result. Vlasic now brings his lower right hand behind his left leg at the peak of his slap-shot windup — further back than he used to. He also finishes his follow-through at chest level rather than at head level, which pushes all of the force and energy through the center of his body.
His increased weight should help create more power, too. It all ties together.
“If you look at all the good players around the league, they’re always trying to find different ways to elevate their game,” Vlasic said. “For me, my defensive game is probably my strong suit right now. I definitely need to continue to work on that. But I believe in focusing on skills you’re not so good at to make your game more well-rounded.”
Note: New Hawks goalie Laurent Brossoit underwent meniscus surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will miss five to seven weeks, putting his estimated return between Oct. 1 and 15. If he hasn’t recovered in time for the season opener Oct. 8, Arvid Soderblom will likely make the team as Petr Mrazek’s backup.