Team Outlook: Chicago Blackhawks

Heading into the 2022-23 NHL season, I’m going to look at every team to see how they are looking going into the season.

From: nbcsports.com

2021-22:

The Blackhawks finished 7th in the Central Division with a record of 28-42-12 to finish with 68 points.

Draft:

The Blackhawks were busy during the 2 days that the NHL Draft took place in Montreal, having 11 picks. Their 7th overall pick they took defenseman Kevin Korchinski from the WHL. In just his second full season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Korchinski finished with 65 points in 67 games. They also drafted Frank Nazar III, a player that I really liked looking at his profile. Nazar scored 35 points last season and 36 points in his first season in the USHL the season prior. With their third and final 1st round pick, they took Sam Rinzel, a defenseman from a High School in Minnesota. He got 38 points in 27 games with his High School and then went to the USHL and got 10 points in 21 games. He is committed to playing in the USHL again this season, and in the NCAA the season after, so he won’t see any NHL action from him in a while.

Additions:

The Blackhawks had a busy offseason. They signed Max Domi who had a total of 39 points in 72 games last season with both the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes. He had 6 points in 14 playoff games with the Canes. They got Petr Mrazek who went 12-6-0 with a .888 SV% with the Maple Leafs as they got him in a trade. Forward Colin Blackwell, had 20 points in 58 games last season with both the Kraken and the Leafs. Also, Andreas Athanasiou signed a contract after getting 17 points in 28 games played with the Kings last season.

Losses:

But with great additions, comes great losses. The Blackhawks had one of the biggest dumps of players I have ever seen over the course of the offseasons, and things might get worse with Kane trade rumors. They lost their highest scorer behind Kane, Alex Debrincat. DeBrincat was traded to the Ottawa Senators, even though he got 78 points in 82 games last season, a career high. Kirby Dach was traded to the Montreal Canadiens while he got 26 points in 70 games last season. The Blackhawks didn’t give a qualifying offer to Dylan Strome (48 pts, 69 gms) or Dominik Kubalik (32 pts, 78 gms) even though they were both contributing factors to the team. Finally, defenseman Erik Gustafsson got 18 points in 59 games and signed with the Capitals.

Who to look for:

Even though things are looking down for the Blackhawks, they have some good prospects that could make a splash with the organization.

Lukas Reichel was drafted in the 1st round of 2020 and got 1 assist in 11 games with the Blackhawks. However, he got 57 points in 56 games with their AHL affiliate and 2 points in 5 games during the playoffs. He also got 5 points in 4 games for Germany in the World Championship.

Dylan Sikura has played in the NHL for 5 years, but hasn’t got his shot at a full season as he’s been up and down from the AHL. However, you could see him get his chance this season. In the AHL, he got 73 points in 60 games, he also got 1 assist in 5 games with the Avs last season.

Prediction:

I think the Blackhawks will continue to stay towards the bottom of the Central Division, maybe even last. There’s rumors that the Blackhawks are trying to get Bedard but who knows.

Stats from: eliteprospects.com, hockey-reference.com