For the past three seasons, the Chicago Blackhawks have been stuck at the bottom of the Central Division standings, and according to the latest projections from JFreshHockey, the team is staring down the possibility of a fourth consecutive last-place finish.
On the surface, that sounds discouraging — nobody likes seeing their team buried in the basement year after year. But this year’s forecast does carry at least a flicker of optimism: the Blackhawks are projected to collect more points than they have in recent seasons. That increase, even if modest, suggests the team could squeeze out a few more victories, showing incremental progress in what has always been understood as a long-term rebuild.
Why Finishing Last Might Not Be a Disaster
Oddly enough, another last-place finish wouldn’t necessarily be catastrophic. In fact, it might even prove beneficial. If Chicago ends up with the worst record again, the team would secure strong lottery odds for the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NHL Draft — a pick that could land them Gavin McKenna, a player widely touted as the next generational offensive star.
Just imagine a future forward core featuring Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, and McKenna all wearing the Blackhawks sweater. That combination of speed, creativity, and goal-scoring ability could instantly transform Chicago from a rebuilding franchise into one of the most electrifying offensive teams in the league.
Bedard’s Next Step
Of course, much of this rebuild hinges on Connor Bedard taking the leap from “phenomenal young talent” to “bonafide superstar.” While some critics called his second year a “sophomore slump,” the numbers tell a different story: Bedard has already posted back-to-back 60-point seasons before the age of 20, a feat that most NHL players never come close to achieving across their entire careers.
If Bedard jumps into the 80–100 point range this season, it would silence doubts about whether he can live up to his massive ceiling and solidify his place among the league’s elite.
Nazar’s Potential Breakout
The Blackhawks are also betting heavily on Frank Nazar. Chicago recently handed the 20-year-old forward a lucrative contract extension, despite him logging just 56 NHL games. The gamble feels familiar — the Minnesota Wild made a similar bet on Kirill Kaprizov after his first 55 games, a move that paid off when Kaprizov blossomed into an All-Star and Calder Trophy winner.
If Nazar can triple his current career production — 13 goals and 14 assists — he won’t just justify the Blackhawks’ faith in him. He’ll cement himself as a centerpiece of the team’s rebuild, a rising star who could eventually match Kaprizov’s trajectory.
Building a Core Beyond Forwards
The Blackhawks’ blueprint for long-term success doesn’t end with flashy forwards. They’re also hoping young defensemen Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov establish themselves as top-pair mainstays, shoring up a blue line that desperately needs stability. Meanwhile, goaltender Spencer Knight looms as another key piece. If he can take the next step toward becoming a reliable No. 1 netminder, Chicago’s rebuild would look far more sustainable.
If all of those players progress simultaneously — Bedard evolving into a 100-point force, Nazar breaking out as a star, Rinzel and Levshunov anchoring the defense, and Knight thriving in net — then the Blackhawks shouldn’t logically finish dead last. Which leads to the million-dollar question: what could keep them stuck at the bottom again?
The Roadblocks Ahead
One obvious factor is the team’s goal differential. Even if Bedard and Nazar light up the scoresheet, the Hawks can’t climb the standings if they’re giving up goals at nearly the same rate.
Another concern is the team’s adjustment to new head coach Jeff Blashill. While some of his systems mirror what interim coach Anders Sorenson implemented last year, there will be tactical changes — and that means growing pains. If Chicago stumbles out of the gate yet again, the hole might simply be too deep to climb out of.
Then there’s the defense. Outside of Connor Murphy and Alex Vlasic, no one on the blue line has more than a single full NHL season under their belt. That lack of experience almost guarantees mistakes, blown assignments, and costly turnovers. It’s part of the development process, but it could also mean another year spent chasing games rather than dictating them.
The Big Picture
For now, Blackhawks fans face a familiar paradox: another last-place season would sting, but it wouldn’t be without silver linings. The potential reward of drafting Gavin McKenna — on top of the development of Bedard, Nazar, Rinzel, Levshunov, and Knight — might make the pain of one more rough year worth enduring.
Rebuilds are never linear, and they’re rarely painless. But if the Blackhawks can turn their growing pains into growth, fans could soon be watching one of the most dynamic young teams in hockey.
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