Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson has finally broken the silence on the team’s offseason plans as they gear up for the months ahead. With the postseason out of reach for half of the league’s teams, including the Blackhawks, it’s time to assess what needs to be addressed.
Despite a challenging 2022-23 season, the Blackhawks found a silver lining in the draft lottery, securing franchise player Connor Bedard. However, their journey to rebuild under Davidson’s leadership has seen mixed results, with another tough season in the standings. Regardless of the upcoming draft lottery results on May 7th, Chicago’s focus must shift to short-term goals for the summer ahead.
Here’s a breakdown of what should be on their offseason checklist:
- Building Up the Team: The primary focus for Chicago this summer should be bolstering their roster. While the Blackhawks have cultivated a promising group of prospects over the years, throwing them all into NHL action simultaneously could be problematic. Learning from past mistakes of other teams, Davidson’s approach last season, bringing in veterans like Taylor Hall, Corey Perry, and Nick Foligno, showed varying degrees of success. The goal now is to strike a balance between nurturing young talent and providing veteran support, possibly by adding quality veteran defensemen alongside forwards.
- Deciding Lukas Reichel’s Future: Lukas Reichel, considered a key piece of Chicago’s future core, faces a pivotal moment. After a challenging NHL season, questions loom over whether he remains part of the long-term plans or becomes a trade asset. With Reichel waiver-eligible next season, the Blackhawks must weigh their options carefully, considering his potential and trade value.
- Tendering Contracts: The Blackhawks face decisions regarding tendering contracts, particularly with players like Taylor Raddysh, whose performance fluctuated this season. Assessing whether to invest in Raddysh’s rebound potential or explore other options will be crucial for the team’s future lineup.
- Adding a Veteran Goalie: While Petr Mrazek shouldered a heavy workload last season, concerns over his injury history highlight the need for a reliable backup or competition in goal. Exploring the free-agent market for experienced goalkeepers could provide depth and stability to the goaltending lineup.
As Chicago navigates the offseason, their focus remains on striking a balance between short-term competitiveness and long-term development. By addressing key areas outlined in their checklist, the Blackhawks aim to position themselves for a stronger future on the ice.
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