Drake Caggiula still hails from the Toronto area. Still stands at just 5-foot-10. Still wants to prove he’s more than just another depth forward at the NHL level.
But in one way, he might actually be a new Drake Caggiula.
“I changed my training [this summer],” he said. “Did more of a focus on getting faster, and more agile, and being able to avoid hits and all that. I’ve had some injury issues in the past, so I’ve tried to find ways to make sure I can get my body healthy and stay healthy, and hopefully play a full season.”
The 25-year-old forward, acquired from the Oilers last New Year’s Eve, entered Blackhawks training camp this month weighing only 170 pounds.
That’s 10 pounds lighter than last season, and 20 pounds lighter than the year before.
He’s hopeful that newfound leanness will help him stand out more in the Hawks’ fast-paced offense. In Edmonton, Caggiula played in a system that relied heavily on dump-and-chase offensive zone entries; in Chicago, Caggiula must now operate in a heavily carry-in system (the Hawks dumped it in on only 42 percent of offensive zone entries last season, the lowest rate in the league, per hockey analyst Corey Sznajder’s data).
“Before, I was trying to get as strong as I could, just because being a smaller guy, I thought I had to put on quite a bit of weight just to keep up with some of the guys,” Caggiula said. “But I feel strong being at this weight, and I feel a little bit more faster and agile, and I think it’s going to benefit me this year.”
The weight-dropping was orchestrated by acclaimed Toronto trainer Gary Roberts, who also works with the likes of Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos and Jeff Skinner. This summer wasn’t Caggiula and Roberts’ first time collaborating, but it was their first with this new philosophy.
How much Caggiula’s new frame and potential new playing style helps him will depend somewhat on his role within the Hawks.
Caggiula’s point totals (12 in 26 appearances with the Hawks last season, and 61 in 182 career games) depict him as a bottom-six piece, and Jeremy Colliton — who seemed a bit surprised to hear of Caggiula’s new weight — said he likes it when Caggiula “gets into battles and he has a physical edge to him.” In that kind of bottom-six role, being 170 pounds is arguably unwise.
However, the University of North Dakota product spent the vast majority of his playing time last season alongside Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. In that role, increased speed and agility could make a big difference.
“All players are trying to look for an edge, trying to see what’s going to take them to the next step,” Colliton said. “It’s always good to be lean. You also don’t want to be light, so it’s a fine line. But I think he’s looked good.”
Caggiula will line up next to Ryan Carpenter and Zack Smith on the Hawks’ fourth line Saturday night against the Bruins, so there might not be many chances to showcase his new style. As the preseason winds down and regular season begins, though, there inevitably will be.
Caggiula is ready for that chance.
“It’s nice to go home, and spend a lot of time with family and friends, and get away from the hockey mindset,” he said. “Then when you come back here, you’ve got another fresh start.”
