10 Thoughts About This Blackhawks Bunch
An inside look into the latest opinions surrounding the Blackhawks
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The basis of this segment is simple. It will be a recurring post each month of 10 opinions, and nothing is off-limits. Considering hockey never sleeps, it could be 20 thoughts, but 10 will have to suffice for now.
Without further ado, here are my thoughts about the Blackhawks’ season headed into Christmas and the New Year!
1. Hello, Taylor Raddysh?
I will say that the one forward I have been disappointed with this season is Taylor Raddysh. He ended the 2022-23 season being second-best on the team, with 37 points in 78 games behind Andreas Athanasiou. This season, he only has 7 points in 31 games and is on pace for 19 points. He surprised me as I expected more. Knowing the 25-year-old is in a contract year and playing on the second line with Tyler Johnson, just like he did last season, I thought he would break out more.
He did start to pick up his production during the second half of last season, so maybe that will be the case for him again. He is also being used on special teams, so the opportunities are there. He is one to watch going forward.
2. How About Athanasiou?
Speaking of Andreas Athanasiou, he has not played since Nov. 9 due to a groin injury. He was usually a staple on the second line, but I wonder what his role will be when he returns. Tyler Johnson has taken his spot on the second line, and Joey Anderson fits in the lineup nicely. Also, Colin Blackwell recently returned to the lineup from sports hernia surgery. According to the team, Athanasiou has yet to skate and has only been in the gym, so his return is not close. But the Blackhawks really do miss his speed and skill in the top six.
4. Bubble Wrap- STAT!
Every team gets the injury bug throughout the season, but I still can not fathom how the Blackhawks all went down at the same time. It started with Athanasiou, Taylor Hall, Jarred Tinordi, Seth Jones, Joey Anderson, and now Alex Vlasic.
Thankfully, they started getting some players back. It’s possible Tinordi could play against Montreal on Dec. 22 after being in concussion protocol. Kevin Korchinski could also play against Montreal after being out of the lineup due to his father’s passing. I’m sure the team would be fired up to have them both return. Vlasic’s injury isn’t considered serious, which is good.
And what is up with the left shoulder injuries? Anderson and Jones are both on injured reserve with their left shoulder injuries. Don’t like that so much.
We need to wrap this team in bubble wrap to protect them at all costs!
4. Is the Power Play Making Progress?
Since the beginning of the season, the Blackhawks’ power play has been an embarrassment to the city of Chicago. It’s operating at 12%, which is 28th in the NHL. They have 12 goals out of 101 chances. However, against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 17, they scored two power-play goals, which was the first time this season they have scored multiple power-play goals in a game. They also scored another power-play goal against the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 19, so they had back-to-back games with power-play goals.
They switched up their units with Seth Jones and Kevin Korchinski out, doing a five-forward power play, having Nikita Zaitsev quarterback the power play, and so on. I’m not sure if this is a sign they are figuring it out, or if it is a case of good luck. Either way, good to see.
5. Nick Foligno, Enough Said
I’m going to be honest, when Nick Foligno was included in the trade package for Taylor Hall, I didn’t think he would be much of a difference maker. I thought he might be a fourth-line presence like he was on the Boston Bruins, and just contribute there, but boy was I wrong. I don’t know where this team would be without him.
He is the “team dad,” making sure the team sticks together through the good and bad, has taken the extra step to get to know his teammates individually, and he has even stepped up on the ice in a top-line role with Connor Bedard and a third-line role. No matter where he plays, he has been successful. General manager Kyle Davidson recently said he wasn’t opposed to re-signing Foligno, saying, “I don’t see why we wouldn’t want to have that around moving forward.”
If both sides want to make it work, I think that would be a smart move. He has been the heart and soul of the team, and his teammates absolutely love him.
6. Second Period Collapses
If there is one thing I have noticed about the Blackhawks play, it is that they usually start out okay but then absolutely crumble in the second period. I see that during the games when they don’t fall apart in the second period, they usually have a good chance of winning. They might struggle because they run out of steam after the first period due to the lack of depth, but it seems like that has become a pattern. A complete, 60-minute effort has been a challenge in itself, and those second-period performances are a reflection of that.
7. The New Guy in Town
Anthony Beauvillier was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks for depth purposes, and he has played in a top-six role. So far, he has 3 points in 9 games with the Blackhawks, but I noticed that in the last 3 games, he has been very creative and shifty with the puck and has been able to make some good plays. I have to think another goal for him is on the horizon. I think the 26-year-old was a good addition and should get better with time in Chicago. During practice, he was moved to the 4th line, so we’ll see how that works.
8. The Lukas Reichel Debacle
I have genuinely felt bad for Lukas Reichel this season. He did so well in the preseason, and I think he struggled with transitioning from an NHL forward to a full-time center to start the season, being used all over the lineup, and being a healthy scratch. Reichel’s lack of production never really concerned me. The talent was always there, and he showed it last season. He just had to figure it out, but the coaches must also let him. After being on the fourth line, he is now playing with Bedard on the first line. What do you know? He scored a great goal against the Avalanche. Keep Reichel with Bedard! That is beneficial for everyone. He can’t learn to be a top-line player unless he continues to play there, and he and Bedard seemingly do well together. Hopefully, that pairing works out in the long run, and I believe it will.
9. The Standouts
This season has been a struggle for the Blackhawks on and off the ice, being the second-worst team in the NHL, but there have been some pleasant surprises on the ice.
Petr Mrazek has been phenomenal. His .910 Save percentage has not been that high since the 2020-21 season with the Carolina Hurricanes when he had a .923 SV%. He has kept this team afloat, even though they give up the 4th-most goals in the NHL (110). Mrazek struggled a lot last season with injuries and performance, so seeing this performance from him is great.
Jason Dickinson. Who would have thought he would be fourth on the team in points (14), and his nine goals in 31 games already tied his career-high. He is on pace for 37 points, which would also be a career-high. His current career-high is 30 points from last season. He has really found a home on the third line with Nick Foligno and Joey Anderson (now Blackwell until Anderson returns from injury).
MacKenzie Entwistle. I love watching him play. He knows his role as a bottom-six forward and never stops working. He is technically battling Reese Johnson for a roster spot, but he gives his team extra juice every time he plays. Also, he is on pace for 18 points, which would be a career-high for the 24-year-old
Nikita Zaitsev. He is doing well when called upon, which has been due to all the absences on defense. He is a plus-2 in 15 games. Even the young defensemen like Alex Vlasic, who is a plus-5 this season and has been a steady presence on defense, and Isaak Phillips have been impressive. This defense could be something down the line.
10. Bedard. Duh!
You didn’t think I would go through all these thoughts without mentioning Bedard, did you?! I am very impressed with him, and that’s putting it modestly. His mindset has been great for the team. When there’s an optional skate, he’s there. When there is an opportunity to work to get better, he takes it. It’s such an excellent quality and one the Blackhawks have been missing for a while.
Obviously, his shot and skill have been standouts on the ice, but I have been most impressed by his consistency. He has mostly been a point-per-game player with 28 points in 31 games, which is hard to do as a rookie. He leads all rookies and the Blackhawks in points. It’s hard to ask for more from the 18-year-old. It hasn’t always been perfect, and he has made some rookie mistakes, but overall, Bedard is so fun to watch, and he really has handled all the responsibility thrown at him on and off the ice with grace. It’s scary to think that he will only get better. Chicago is lucky to have him, and fans are fortunate to witness his development night in and night out.
What do you think, Blackhawks fans? What are your observations about the Blackhawks going into the New Year? We would love to hear all of your thoughts!
And sincerely, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I agree with most of the comments. I do think the team should go out and get a top six young forward to play with Bedard. He is great but could be greater if the load on him was lighter
Other teams do this routinely. The Blackhawks can’t seem to get that done.