In three weeks’ time, we can add either Stone and Eichel or Tkachuk and Barkov to that list, solidifying what is still missing from the Blackhawks’ rebuild. Having that dynamic one-two punch up front is an almost-essential ingredient to Cup contention. The Blackhawks still need a second-in-command behind Bedard to lead his own line and they don’t really have anyone in line to do so. The same is true up front, where the situation is arguably more dire. Sam Rinzel, a 2022 first-round pick, could be that defenseman, but it’s still too early to say what he’ll become. Unless Korchinski really steps up early or Seth Jones turns back the clock, the Blackhawks will need a bonafide top-pair defender, preferably an elite one. ![]() Whether he does or doesn’t isn’t the point, though, because there will still be a missing piece at the top of their defensive depth chart. 1 defenseman one day, it’s just that 2026-27 may be too early for him to get there. His current statistical projection based on his junior numbers suggests he can be a No. It’s always difficult projecting players outside the NHL, and the biggest question mark regarding the Blackhawks’ path to contention will be how good Kevin Korchinski can be. With normal development of their young players and a p otential top-five pick from the 2024 draft, the team should be in relatively good shape - albeit with some big missing pieces. The rest is still a bit murky with a lot of hope being put in the Blackhawks’ prospects hitting as expected. Neither Sidney Crosby nor Connor McDavid made the playoffs in their first year, either.Īre the Blackhawks and Canucks ideal offseason trade partners? Why a deal could make senseīy 2026-27, Bedard should be the type of franchise player who can headline a contending team, a rebuild accelerator. This is not a playoff team, but that’s to be expected. Last season’s team began with Kane, Toews, Max Domi and Andreas Athanasiou in its lineup and struggled offensively, and now all of those players are gone and there are just a few logical replacements. But even if he’s better than expected, the Blackhawks are going to have holes throughout their lineup. Arvid Söderblom is a major wild card in all this as he gets first crack at being the Blackhawks’ No. That includes the top two teams in each division plus the Florida Panthers.Īs you can see, the Blackhawks are not that far from being the complete opposite of a contender, and that’s with Bedard stepping in and being a dynamic offensive player from the start. ![]() So, how will the Blackhawks likely fare next season? Here’s a look along with a comparison to what the average playoff contender looked like this season. It’s unlikely any of those players will be elite, though. ![]() A few players are unnamed because the Blackhawks are expected to either acquire or sign a couple of players this summer. Each player was assigned an offensive and defensive value based on their past or projected ability. We compiled an expected lineup, including Bedard’s arrival and a number of prospects’ promotions. Let’s first start with the 2022-23 projection. Ten contracts the Blackhawks could target with their salary cap space
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