Kyle Davidson has been busy this offseason, working hard to enhance the Chicago Blackhawks’ roster. With the 2024-25 NHL season set to begin in less than a month, what should fans realistically expect from this year’s team?
Setting Realistic Expectations for the Blackhawks in the 2024-25 NHL Season
Last season, the Blackhawks struggled significantly, finishing at the bottom of the Central Division and 31st overall with a record of 25-53-6. They ended the season with only 52 points and a goal differential of -111, the second worst in the league behind only the San Jose Sharks.
The Central Division remains fiercely competitive, and despite the Blackhawks’ offseason additions, climbing the standings may still be challenging. For perspective, Chicago’s goal differential last season was notably poor, with every playoff team from the Central Division having a positive differential. Even teams that missed the playoffs in the division performed significantly better in this regard. For example, the St. Louis Blues had a -11 goal differential and were just seven points shy of the playoffs, while the Minnesota Wild finished at -12 and were 12 points out. The Arizona Coyotes, now the Utah Hockey Club, ended the season with a -18 goal differential despite missing the playoffs by 22 points.
While goal differential isn’t the sole indicator of performance, it highlights how far behind the Blackhawks were compared to their divisional rivals last season. However, improvements are anticipated for 2024-25, and here’s what to look for:
Enhanced Performance in Various Game Situations
Last season, the Blackhawks had a 14-16-4 record when scoring the first goal of the game. In contrast, the Florida Panthers, last season’s Stanley Cup champions, boasted a 33-4-6 record under similar circumstances. This season, with an improved roster, fans should pay close attention to how the Blackhawks manage games when they take an early lead. Can they maintain it and execute strong shutdown hockey under head coach Luke Richardson’s system?
The Blackhawks had a 15-5-1 record when leading after two periods last season but struggled significantly when trailing, with a dismal 4-45-4 record. Conversely, the Panthers excelled in these situations, holding a 35-0-3 record when leading after two periods. The Blackhawks’ ability to secure third-period leads will be a key area to watch. Historically, the 2014-15 Blackhawks demonstrated exceptional performance in this regard, finishing the regular season a perfect 25-0-0 when ahead after two periods.
New Talent and Coaching Challenges
This season’s Blackhawks roster is markedly different from those in Richardson’s first two seasons, where the team posted a 49-102-13 record. With a more competitive lineup, the question is whether Richardson can effectively guide this improved team. NHL coaches often face challenges transitioning from a rebuilding phase to a competitive one, and Richardson’s ability to coach a contending team will be a significant storyline this season.
The goal for this season should be to make substantial progress in the standings. While overtaking rivals in the Central Division may be challenging, achieving a win total of 30 to 35 games and accumulating over 70 points seems within reach.
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