Anton Frondell's arrival may alter Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis' top-six roles

Anton Frondell is expected to join the Chicago Blackhawks soon, and coach Jeff Blashill said he will be thrown into the lineup; Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis are competing to keep top-six minutes.

Anton Frondell is expected to join the Chicago Blackhawks within days, prompting questions about current forward roles. Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis have both earned top-six minutes at times this season and are now facing renewed competition. Coach Jeff Blashill said he plans to insert Frondell into the lineup and that the club has limited practice time in the condensed schedule. The team also begins a four-game East Coast road trip on Tuesday. What we know: - Anton Frondell, the third pick in last year’s draft, is expected to arrive as soon as Tuesday on Long Island and will be placed into the lineup, according to coach Jeff Blashill. - Ryan Greene has played 69 games this season with nine goals and 17 assists and has spent much of the year alongside Connor Bedard. - Blashill said Frondell will be “with a good player, for sure,” but did not confirm a specific line; Greene is the likeliest incumbent to lose a top-six spot and Blashill has also said he may try Greene at center later in the stretch. - Nick Lardis, coming off a 71-goal OHL season, has been used in a fourth-line role since his recall but produced a strong game recently and scored his sixth NHL goal. - Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left Sunday’s game with an apparent left arm or shoulder injury and will not be on the Blackhawks’ four-game East Coast trip starting Tuesday. Summary: Anton Frondell’s arrival is expected to prompt lineup adjustments and heighten competition for top-six forward roles. Coach Jeff Blashill plans to insert Frondell into the lineup and pair him with a strong player, and Greene and Lardis face a short window to retain or earn consistent top-six minutes. The immediate next step is the team’s road trip beginning Tuesday, when Frondell may join the club and lineup changes could be made.