As the Chicago Blackhawks prepare to celebrate a century of history and championships, the organization is grappling with a more pressing concern: its future.
A franchise that dominated the 2010s, winning three Stanley Cups in six seasons, is trying to emerge from a rebuild that has demanded significant patience throughout the organization.
Landing Connor Bedard with the first overall pick in 2023 provided Chicago with a major building block, but it also underscores the need for the team to continue building around him.
The Blackhawks have come to realize that, as much as Bedard generates excitement, one player cannot carry an entire franchise on his own. The team finished 31st in the standings last season and had a minus-70 goal differential.
General manager Kyle Davidson has his work cut out for him, aiming to construct a promising core reminiscent of what the team boasted during the Patrick Kane-Jonathan Toews era. Additionally, a new head coach, Jeff Blashill, will look to reverse the franchise`s fortunes, replacing Luke Richardson.
So, as the Blackhawks enter their 100th season as a franchise, they can only hope for some tangible improvement on the ice.
Newcomer to Watch: Andre Burakovsky
The most significant addition this off-season was the trade for Burakovsky, a two-time Stanley Cup champion. He is expected to inject much-needed veteran stability into a young locker room. While his presence is important, his on-ice impact is crucial. Burakovsky brings size, skill, and the ability to generate offense at even strength, though he has battled injuries that hampered parts of his last two seasons in Seattle. He should be a top-nine forward, potentially a winger alongside Bedard, but can also play center and mentor younger forwards like Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore. His ability to return to being a 60-point producer, as he was in Colorado, will largely depend on staying healthy.
Under-the-Radar Player to Watch: Lukas Reichel
It`s challenging to label a first-round pick “under the radar,” but on a team with multiple high selections, Reichel (17th overall in 2020) finds himself in that position. Despite the opportunities the team has provided, the 22-year-old winger`s production has been underwhelming. Last season, he managed only 22 points in 70 games, falling short of the Blackhawks` expectations given the speed and offensive instincts he displayed in the AHL. Heading into a contract year, Reichel faces pressure to establish himself as a productive top-six forward.
Top Prospect: Artyom Levshunov
While the Blackhawks` forward prospects garner considerable attention, their defensive pipeline is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of their rebuild, primarily due to the depth of young talent headlined by Levshunov. Chicago made a substantial investment in the Belarusian defenseman, selecting him with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He has already logged NHL minutes, appearing in 18 games and recording six assists. The 19-year-old possesses an elite blend of size and skill, known for his transition ability and offensive instincts. If he maintains his upward trajectory, the Blackhawks` rebuild will undoubtedly accelerate in the right direction.
Three Burning Questions
1. Can Connor Bedard take the superstar leap?
Bedard had a solid rookie season, but his sophomore campaign, with 67 points in 82 games, left some wanting more. While his production is impressive given the lack of a high-end supporting cast, Chicago desperately needs him to elevate his game further. It would have helped if the team had secured a top-tier player in free agency, but limited options were available. Therefore, much of this improvement must come from Bedard himself. Is it possible for him to consistently reach the 80-90 point range? Sometimes, it takes time for a player of Bedard`s caliber to truly hit his stride, much like Nathan MacKinnon experienced in his early years.
2. Can the Blackhawks turn the corner defensively?
Last season, the Blackhawks allowed the third-most goals against in the NHL and were among the worst in penalty-kill efficiency. This isn`t surprising given their young, inexperienced blue line. However, veterans like Connor Murphy and Alex Vlasic, alongside promising youngsters such as Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Kevin Korchinski, are expected to provide more stability. If this segment of the lineup can show significant improvement, it could lead to a far more competitive season.
3. Can they find secondary scoring?
Bedard is the primary focus of the Blackhawks` offense, but he cannot shoulder the entire burden alone. The team demonstrated its confidence in Frank Nazar by giving him a long-term extension despite his limited 56 career NHL games. Additionally, veterans like Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and Ilya Mikheyev will need to perform consistently when the top line is not on the ice to ensure a balanced offensive attack.
