3 Keys to Watch as Blackhawks Begin 2024-25 Season
Tuesday begins another year in this Blackhawks' rebuild, and it comes with higher expectations compared to previous seasons.
A primary objective for general manager Kyle Davidson at the end of last season was to get out of the league’s basement. He knew that this team shouldn’t be in the conversation for the first overall pick in the draft for a third straight season and made some additions that corresponded with that attitude.
The acquisitions of playmaking forwards like Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravianen, and Ilya Mikheyev add some much-needed scoring juice to a squad that lacked the ability to put pucks in the net last year.
Even more veteran names have joined the defensive core, providing depth in a spot where there simply weren’t enough bodies to get through the 2023-24 campaign. Former enemy Alec Martinez will help the young defensemen grow their games, with T.J. Brodie set to accompany Martinez in those efforts.
Similar to last year, there will be growing pains with this team. However, much more entertaining storylines will follow the club. The growth of the young core and the impact of veteran additions should be worth the price of admission.
1. Bedard and Friends
It’s hard to look at any Blackhawks season moving forward without starting with the franchise centerpiece. There is plenty of buzz around the league that Connor Bedard will take a huge jump in his second year, which is not a hot take.
The 19-year-old took home the Calder Trophy in his rookie year despite missing 14 games. He is far from his peak and will only continue to impress the hockey world every year, which is something fans can’t help but smile at.
Davidson made it a priority to get Bedard some much-needed help for his second season in the league. The young phenom will be paired with Teravianen and Mikheyev to start the campaign, which should elevate his game even more. This is the first time in Bedard’s young career that both wingers can play to his speed. One can only imagine how much fun it will be to see the top line for this team playing at a quicker pace than what we are accustomed to.
It is almost guaranteed that Bedard will be paired with the other vets at some point this season, as he began last year on a line with Taylor Hall. Bertuzzi would be an intriguing winger to put on his line at some point throughout the campaign. The 29-year-old’s scrappy playstyle and ability to get to the net whenever necessary to cause havoc would play off Bedard nicely.
It isn’t perfect, but the supporting cast of around 98 for year two is much stronger than year one. The Hawks scored 179 goals last season, which is good for just over two per game. Having a stronger front six should positively change that number.