Bedard’s talent was overshadowed by the Blackhawks’ disappointing season, with angry fans flooding Blackhawks social media to curse him out.
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As we hit the midway point of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves at the bottom of the standings with a 14-25-2 record. It’s been a turbulent journey for a team that set its sights on bouncing back stronger after last year’s tough performance, where they finished second to last in the league.
The offseason saw GM Kyle Davidson bring in several seasoned veterans, aiming to bolster the lineup. Despite these moves, the offensive output hasn’t surged as hoped, and defensively, the numbers have taken a nosedive following promising performances by goalies Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom early on. Chicago had aspirations of significant improvements after being in the depths of the standings last season, but goals have been hard to come by, and the team has struggled to keep opponents out of their net.
Connor Bedard, a beacon of hope for the franchise, experienced a rookie slump earlier but has since found his stride. Riding an impressive eight-game point streak, Bedard is close to becoming a point-per-game player at just 19 years old.
Despite his youth, his potential as the cornerstone of the Blackhawks’ future is undeniable, and he’s on track to meet the lofty expectations placed on him. With 11 goals and 37 points in 41 games, Bedard’s promising trajectory continues as his shooting percentage aligns more with the elite shooter he’s meant to be.
The Blackhawks expected more impactful performances from their top-6 veteran forwards. Taylor Hall has returned to action, contributing eight goals and 21 points.
Meanwhile, Teuvo Teravainen sits second in team scoring with 26 points, and Tyler Bertuzzi leads the team in goals with 14. Despite being among the top earners and key contributors on the roster, there’s a sense that their impact has been muted.
Jason Dickinson and Ryan Donato have risen above expectations, providing solid performances within their roles. In a season where standout performances have been sparse, their reliability has been a bright spot.
On the flip side, Philipp Kurashev has yet to meet the expectations set for him. Currently absent from the lineup, his future with the Blackhawks appears uncertain unless he can dramatically change his trajectory.
Looking beyond the immediate struggles, there’s hope in the pipeline. Young talents like Alex Vlasic, Soderblom, Frank Nazar, Colton Dach, Nolan Allan, Wyatt Kaiser, and Lukas Reichel are developing well, even if some progress slower than others. The expectation is for these players to continue growing over the remaining half of the season and into the next.
While the Blackhawks are not positioned to be contenders just yet, they are laying the groundwork for future success. Unlike the rapid transformations seen with players like Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, and Sidney Crosby, Bedard’s journey involves steering a rebuilding team forward.
He represents a pivotal turning point in their restoration efforts. The balance between veteran presence and emerging talent remains a work in progress, something that Davidson and the organization are likely taking into account for next season’s roster configuration.
For now, patience is key for both fans and management. Improvements on the ice are the focus, but another lottery finish could position the Blackhawks to secure more star power through the 2025 draft, propelling them closer to regaining competitive stature in the NHL hierarchy.
