Blackhawks acquire their ideal power forward in New Jersey: Would an AHL assignment benefit him?

While they may have found the ideal power forward in Colton Dach, development isn't a linear cycle for some NHL players.

He found a way to make it onto the opening-night roster and would be promoted to the 1st-line with Connor Bedard early in the season. He'd also earn a spot on the Blackhawks' special teams.

But lately, that fire that has fueled Dach seems to have cooled down a bit, and it looks like the team should consider sending him down to the AHL to get him more time to develop with the Rockford IceHogs.

In ten games, he's scored 3 points (1-2) despite having top billing in the lineup for the Blackhawks.

He'd maintain a regular contributor outside of points at this point in the season, ranking sixth in the league with hits (44).

In the last 5 games with the Blackhawks, he's only scored 1 point, and for the year is a -3. Not great numbers for someone billed to be a top-nine power-forward for the team.

After his top-line billing in the lineup, his dismal play would lead to him being demoted to where he originally began the year, on the third line playing alongside Jason Dickinson and Ryan Donato.

Was it a false start for Dach? Or was a breakout even in the cards?

While he did score his first goal of the season against the Ottawa Senators on October 28th, if we look at the bigger picture, with the Blackhawks not competing for a playoff spot, what would be ideal for his development? They reassign him to the to get more experience.

It might not be a bad thing to consider.