The Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division in each of the previous two seasons. They haven’t won more than 28 games since they went 32-30-8 during the 2019-20 campaign. Following an active offseason, it’s a much deeper roster in almost every area. Bertuzzi and Teravainen should provide more scoring punch after Chicago finished with an NHL-low 178 goals last season. Veteran forward Taylor Hall also should help in his return from a knee injury. The addition of Martinez gives the team another experienced defenseman, and Brossoit coming over from Winnipeg is a significant upgrade behind Mrazek in goal.
The good: Connor Bedard certainly lived up to the hype in his first NHL season, finishing with 22 goals and 39 assists in 61 games. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 draft just turned 19 in July, and — surrounded by more offensive talent — he is primed for a big year. Alex Vlasic is one of the NHL’s best young defensemen after a breakout performance last season. The Illinois native was rewarded with a new six-year contract in April.
The not-so-good: The roster is much older than it was at the beginning of last season. That means more experience, but some of the new additions had been showing signs of their age before arriving in Chicago. It’s a big year for Lukas Reichel, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft. The 22-year-old forward was expected to take on a prominent role last season, but he finished with just five goals and 11 assists in 65 games. If Reichel continues to struggle, a change of scenery might be the best option for him and the Blackhawks.
