It's The Blackhawks Season Opener Tonight. The Rebuild Is Here Now

Day 1, Year 100. It's a big, important season for the Chicago Blackhawks. For the first time in years the Blackhawks should at least be interesting and I also believe they'll be on cable tv again. What a novel concept. If you're reading this blog or following the team, credit to you because the organization certainly hasn't made it easy or fun to be fan. Hopefully, that changes this year because the fruits of Davidson teardown are finally ready to play significant NHL games this year. I can hold my nose about everything else wrong with the organization as long as Kyle's decisions start to look good and the product on the ice is at least fun and gives us hope. You all sent in some good questions so let's get right to it. 

I like what I hear from Blashill. I hope he's the right hire at the right time. Yes, I think the Blackhawks will be more competitive this year based on talent alone. Spencer Knight is a true #1 and Soderblom wildly and shockingly improved last year to the point where I feel very good about his starts as the 1B. Full year of Nazar, Rinzel, Lev, will be exciting, encouraging, and frustrating at times. Odds are the Blackhawks will be much more competitive but still finish in the bottom 5 of the league. Even if they improve by 20 points in the standings they aren't sniffing the playoffs. 

Firstly, while I think Bedard will be a center basically all year…I think he is the first line winger of the future for this team. They need a center who can play with him, be solid defensively, and get him the puck. I would love Connor to have more help, but in the meantime he needs to become a guy who can drive play and carry a line himself. Burakovsky has experience. Donato had good chemistry with Bedard for stretches last year. If Bedard is going to go to the next level it's going to be driven by him and not necessarily his linemates. 

Nazar is a guy for sure. Kind of a big prove it year for him as well in terms of being a full-time center. He got his money. I thought it was a good deal for both sides. I think he's going to have a big year. I think he could be north of 65 points this year. He is +800 to make Team USA. I love Nazar. I think he's got the minerals. He created so many chances with pure speed last year. I think you'll see him finishing those chances at a higher clip and he's got some defenseman now capable of springing him with stretch passes too. 

A lot of questions about Davidson and his job security which surprised me. Here's what I think…I think Davidson gets an extension announced during this year. I hope he gets a title bump to president of hockey ops too so he can build a fortress around his department and not have any meddling done. That is the best way for the Blackhawks to be successful. Let Davidson and his team do their thing and kind of create their own entity with their own budget to build the best possible team. The only way the organization is going to be successful as a business is if the product on the ice is good. The Blackhawks are in a growth period. There's up front costs associated with that, just like any business. Good, young, cheap talent, is the only real driving force behind sustained success. Can't nickel and dime hockey ops and expect to make up the difference by selling more hot dogs or whatever. 

I'd put his game total over/under at 35. I think he's going to be a good player. I really like Erik Haula. I hope he can be like that type of player. Slide up and down the lineup. Check well. Kill penalties. Be a menace on the forecheck. Kyle wants to play fast. He's drafted with that in mind. Nobody embodies that more than Oliver Moore. I think injuries will get him games, but I hope he's so undeniable in Rockford that he forces himself into the lineup. Similar to what Nazar did. 

Brady Tkachuk

Nobody besides Colorado has a Makar and I doubt anyone ever will in this generation. I do really believe in the talent on the blueline for the Blackhawks. Vlasic had a bit of a sophomore slump last year, but he's a 6'6" shutdown guy potentially. I think Rinzel can do everything and be anything. Kaiser is a perfect depth type. Lev is the wild card. All the physical tools, but has a lot to learn to be a top dman. They really need one of these other young Dmen to step up and become an every day NHLer. Korchinski, Del Mastro, etc. That would make this project look a lot better. 

I would've explored a trade for him, but maybe the Hawks thought it was too early. I think Korchinski can be a very good NHL dman, but I seriously doubt he will ever leapfrog Rinzel or Lev. If KK isn't given PP opportunities then he isn't helping your team. That makes him more valuable, in theory, to someone else. This is a big year for him. Starting in RFD and getting minutes in all situations should be good for him. It'll also help Davidson determine what he has. Is it a cornerstone or a trade chip? That 2022 draft is kind of saved by Rinzel looking like he's going to be a stud. If Korchinski isn't a guy, then missing on a top 10 pick out of gates is a tough way to start a rebuild. Luckily they went back into the first round and got a guy who probably goes top 10 in a redraft of that class. 

McKenna or someone else, is definitely needed. The Blackhawks still need more talent. One more, and I mean LITERALLY ONE MORE, lottery pick isn't a bad thing. If it's two more then this project might be rotten. My big thing at this point is that I want the Blackhawks to be in position to swing for McDavid or Brady Tkachuk three summers from now. That is how they get over the top. The have to start looking like a winning team this year. They have to actually start winning next year. Year three people need to start believing they can make a run. That's the evolution. If they don't follow that exact path then I have SERIOUS doubts about the ceiling for this organization. 

I am pumped to watch this team this year. That hasn't been the case in a long time. 4pm local start time is beyond stupid, but I'll be watching. I am ready for fun. I am ready to be hurt. Nostalgia novocaine in the form of the centennial celebrations will be good too.