"We Need To Start Taking Steps Forward"--Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson
Like most of you who clicked on this blog, I spent the weekend watching a ton of NHL playoffs. It was great. Just me, my couch, and my dog watching hockey for probably 12 hours straight on sunday. When I watched the Vancouver Canucks win their first home playoff game in 9 years to cap things off I got a little annoyed. It's been 9 years since the Blackhawks last won a home playoff game as well. I felt left out. I remembered that I wasn't just a hockey fan, but a Blackhawks fan. I want the nerves, the juice, and the joy that comes from a playoff game.
That quote from Kyle Davidson about taking steps got me a little excited. He quickly walked it back though with this full quote
“I’m not saying that we’re going to be competing for playoffs or Stanley Cups or anything next year. I don’t know how realistic that is. It’s the best league in the world, best players and best teams in the world. To say we’re just going to improve a whole great deal in the standings is difficult."--KD
This past year was pretty miserable outside of Bedard and Vlasic looking great. Scandal, injuries, and inconsistent effort hurt the team. That is why I wonder what Davidson deems as success for the 2024-25 season. I think you can make the argument that if the Blackhawks sat back and did relatively nothing this coming offseason that they should improve over this record. Year 2 of Bedard. A healthy Taylor Hall in the top 6. A full season of Anthanasiou adding scoring depth. Development of the young D who struggled at times like Korchinski. Sprinkle in young guys like Nazar and Del Mastro contributing at some point and there should be enough there to "improve" on a team that finished 2nd to last in the NHL.
That is why competing for for playoffs SHOULD be the goal next year. Cups is impossible right now. Competing for playoffs shouldn't be for this group. Half of the league makes the playoffs. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect that you're not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by the Super Bowl. They need to start having concrete goals and expectations so the team internally can be measured against them and be held accountable. Pursue something better. Create a culture where finishing with the 7th worst record in 2025 isn't seen as "improvement".
I do think culture and accountability were issues this year. Seth Jones spoke to that a bit as it pertained to roster construction.
“When you have a team of 1-year deals, it’s extremely difficult to get everyone on the same page of a common goal. Everyone wants points. Everyone’s going to do that to look out for themselves. It’s extremely difficult. Not saying it can’t happen, but I think that will be one of our biggest challenges moving forward when you have a bunch of guys on one- or two-year deals. It’s tough."--Seth Jones
It is hard to build a culture with mercenaries. The Blackhawks were LOADED with them. It's another reason why I always hated that logic for getting rid of Patrick Kane. I was told he was very hard on teammates last year. No shit. He has a standard. He helped build a culture. Guys weren't living up to it. At least he had the authority to say something. Nobody had that authority this year. You had a bunch of veterans who are nice guys, but it's hard to set a culture and hold teammates accountable when a) you're leaving and b) you're simply not that good of a player.
I really like Nick Foligno. I am glad he is on the team. Good pro. Probably should be a 4th liner at this point and not Bedard's LW. I think that should be the frame work for this summer. Make Foligno a 4th liner again. Hall and Anthanasiou are a good start. Go get two more wingers who can play in the top 9. Go get Tanev for the defense as an upgrade on Tinordi/Zaitsev. Strive to be a competitive team. If you fall short like the Red Wings did this year then so be it. Give your young guys a chance to experience meaningful games.