Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2024-25 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks.
2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks
2023-24 Season
Before the next puck drop, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to turn the page on a rocky 2023-24 season. Finishing eighth in the Central Division, they faced some tough competition. With several close games showcasing their potential. Despite these challenges, the season was highlighted by Connor Bedard‘s stellar rookie year, where he earned 61 points and took home the Calder Memorial Trophy. Philipp Kurashev followed closely with 54 points, while veteran Nick Foligno added 37.
As the new season approaches, fans are eager to see the return of Taylor Hall and the impact of fresh faces on the roster. With the Blackhawks securing the second-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and adding seasoned veterans, the team is in a position to make strides.
2023-24 Offseason
The Blackhawks are focusing on adding experience to support their young stars like Bedard. This offseason, the team made key moves, bringing back former Blackhawk Teuvo Teräväinen and adding several new faces, including second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov (likely to start with Rockford IceHogs), Tyler Bertuzzi, Laurent Brossoit, Ilya Mikheyev, Alec Martinez, Pat Maroon, Craig Smith, and T.J. Brodie. With a roster heavy on forwards and a critical need to boost their defensive lineup, the Blackhawks are trying to build a more balanced team.
Teräväinen who won the Stanley Cup back in 2015 with the Blackhawks spoke to the media saying,
“It’s awesome to be back. When I heard they were interested, I was also very interested. I had a few options, but I felt like this was the right path for me right now, so I’m excited.”
It’s a hopeful year for the Blackhawks, with excitement building as Teräväinen returns to the lineup. His presence is expected to be a strong boost, helping to build confidence among the younger players as they get ready for the next puck drop.
Projected Lineup
Forwards
Tyler Bertuzzi-Connor Bedard-Philipp Kurashev
Taylor Hall-Jason Dickinson-Teuvo Teräväinen
Nick Foligno-Andreas Athanasiou-Ilya Mikheyev
Pat Maroon-Ryan Donato-Craig Smith
Top Six
The Blackhawks’ top six looks promising as the new season gets underway. It would be exciting to see Teuvo Teräväinen and Connor Bedard paired together, though Bedard and Kurashev led the team in points last year. Adding a veteran like Teräväinen could supply the edge needed for a more powerful performance. However, having Bertuzzi on the first line will be a significant factor in setting a foundation for the younger players. Bertuzzi told the media,
“Chicago wasn’t really on my radar, but the day before free agency Nick Foligno called me and said they’re a little bit interested, and I was obviously excited about that…as a player, hopefully, I can bring a little bit of some energy and it’s an exciting opportunity.”
For new players moving to a different city, maintaining a positive mindset is crucial, even with a team in a rebuilding phase. Many of these new additions understand the expectations and are ready to offer different opportunities for the team. Their ability to integrate individually and collectively will help the Blackhawks grow both in the league and as players.
With Taylor Hall returning from injury, his line also appears solid, offering a dynamic combination to watch for in the first puck drop. Hall’s return could further enhance the chemistry and effectiveness of his line, making them fun to watch this season.
Additionally, Jason Dickinson has shown strength when paired with Joey Anderson or Nick Foligno in previous line combinations. Hall’s return opens up new possibilities for his line, potentially, advancing their gameplay and creating more future effective line pairings.
Bottom Six
It goes without saying that just because these players are in the bottom six, doesn’t mean they are performing poorly. It may simply be that this lineup combination works best or that these players are learning to turn their weaknesses into strengths. For example, Foligno, who finished third in points for the team, was outstanding this past season. He served as an incredible mentor and veteran presence for Bedard and was an excellent teammate overall. Even after a loss, he acknowledges what went wrong while highlighting the positives about his team.
As the puck drop approaches, it will be interesting to see how Ilya Mikheyev, coming off a season with 31 points from the Vancouver Canucks; Pat Maroon, with 16 points from the Minnesota Wild before his trade to Boston; and Craig Smith, who recorded 20 points with the Dallas Stars, contribute to the Blackhawks from the bottom six. Additionally, how their gameplay might offer the team a good chance of winning.
Defence
Kevin Korchinski–Connor Murphy
Alec Martinez-T.J. Brodie
Top Four
These are great matchups for the Blackhawks as they prepare for their first puck drop. Alex Vlasic has proven to be the perfect addition since being drafted in 2019 and starting his career in 2022. Standing at 6’6″, he brings both size and youth to the defence—a type of player the Blackhawks need. His pairing with Seth Jones has demonstrated notable chemistry on the ice, making it a solid defensive duo.
On the other hand, Korchinski entered the league at 19-years-old and had to step up as a top four defenceman, which is a whole lot of pressure. With Connor Murphy, who missed a substantial portion of the season, now back and healthy, this pairing is expected to perform well in the top four.
Bottom Pair
Despite being part of the bottom pair, former Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Alec Martinez is genuinely excited about joining the Blackhawks. He shared with the media:
“I had really good meetings and talked to a few of the guys. From the get-go, I felt this was really a place that I would want to be.”
Martinez, who has said, he is ready to take on the veteran role for Vlasic and Korchinski, recorded 17 points with a TOI/G of 19:03 last season, managing his defensive responsibilities. The pairing of Martinez with T.J. Brodie is expected to develop strong line cohesion, making it an intriguing aspect of the upcoming season. Although the Blackhawks will likely utilize other defencemen for penalty kills—despite Brodie logging a career-best of 214 minutes last season—the combination of these two veterans positions the team well. Their experience and skills should instill confidence in the Blackhawks’ defensive lineup.
Goalies
Laurent Brossoit
The goaltending situation took a slight turn when the Blackhawks acquired Laurent Brossoit, but as he recovers from surgery, it’s likely Arvid Söderblom will step in as the backup goalie for a few games. Regardless, Brossoit is a valuable asset, bringing depth behind Mrázek. Brossoit posted an impressive 2.00 GAA and a .927 save percentage with the Winnipeg Jets. Meanwhile, Mrázek appears well-prepared for training camp and the season’s first puck drop. With another season as the Blackhawks’ starting goalie under his belt, he will improve tremendously.
Players to Watch
Connor Bedard
Connor Bedard, the first-overall pick in the 2023 draft, remains the player to watch this season. While he has much to learn about the league as a young player, it’s clear Bedard has a deep passion for hockey and has adjusted well with the team. After leading the team in points last season with 22 goals and 39 assists, and starting on the first line for the puck drop, he’s set to truly shine. Especially, if he stays injury-free. Chicago has plenty of time to watch Bedard continue to grow and adapt to the league, but for now, we can look forward to a sturdy training camp and a spectacular season from him, hopefully with less pressure.
Teuvo Teräväinen
It’s Teuvo time again in Chicago. Teräväinen is back after spending several successful seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes since leaving the Blackhawks in 2016-17. Originally drafted by Chicago, Teräväinen recorded 53 points last season, but it’s winning the Stanley Cup at just 20-years-old that holds a special place for him. His experience as a top six forward in Carolina has enhanced his strength and skill in the fast-paced environment they’re known for. Now, Teräväinen aims to focus on finding open teammates, improving his puck passing, and adapting his game style to fit the Blackhawks’ system.
When asked about working with Bedard, Teräväinen said,
“I’ve seen the highlights. He seems like a pretty good player, young for sure, but hopefully I can help him a little bit to get better. It would be, of course, cool to play with him.”
Prediction for the 2024-25 Blackhawks
While the team is still projected to finish near the bottom of the standings this season, it’s important to remember the team is in the midst of a rebuilding period, which takes time. That said, the team has made improvements, particularly from free agency. With two reliable goalies, a stabilized blue line anchored by Martinez and Brodie, and an overall refinement in the team culture, there are positive signs of progress. As the pressure builds for the upcoming puck drop, the team may find themselves in challenging positions again, but by recognizing their struggles early on, they can start developing strategies to beat them.
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
