The Blackhawks Race to Make a Statement
A look into how the Blackhawks are yearning for more due to new deals and injuries that have propelled them onto center stage
Welcome to the THW Chicago Blackhawks Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Blackhawks writers.
In today’s edition, we look at the Calder Trophy outlook due to Connor Bedard’s injury, how Nick Foligno’s new deal impacts the Blackhawks, and which players have to step up in Bedard’s absence.
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Now, onto the good stuff…
3 Blackhawks Who Must Step up in Bedard’s Absence
January 14, 2024 by Hunter Crowther
It’s no secret that the Chicago Blackhawks are in tough this season.
But with a volume of injuries I can’t remember seeing for any professional sports team, let alone a hockey club, the Blackhawks are in deep trouble. And now, worst of all, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard, who by all accounts was having one of the best rookie seasons of the 21st century, who was named the youngest All-Star in NHL history, broke his jaw in a Jan. 5 game against the New Jersey Devils and will miss six-to-eight weeks.
So what now? With half a season to go and a litany of injuries, the Blackhawks need certain players to step up, especially with the long-term absence of Bedard. Here are three players I feel need to show both fans and management that they can take advantage of this opportunity.
Blackhawks Re-Signing Foligno Invaluable for Future
January 13, 2024 by Brooke LoFurno
The Chicago Blackhawks are at the point where decisions have to be made. Going into January, only three forwards were signed for the 2024-25 season, and with the trade deadline coming up on Mar. 8, management has to decide which players they would rather trade for assets or re-sign as an asset to the rebuild, like Petr Mrazek and Jason Dickinson.
But the team got the ball rolling and signed Nick Foligno to a two-year, $9 million contract extension on Jan. 12, and it was a no-brainer for the organization. Here is why the signing is so important.
Connor Bedard’s Injury Leaves Calder Race Wide Open
January 13, 2024 by Alex Chauvancy
For a while, it seemed the Calder Trophy was Connor Bedard’s to lose. But the race got a little more wide open after he suffered a broken jaw in a loss to the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 5, keeping him out of game action for the next six to eight weeks.
With Bedard out for the foreseeable future, that opens the door for other rookies to make their cases for the Calder Trophy. Brock Faber may be the leading candidate to win it now, but he’s not the only rookie with a shot at strengthening his Calder case. Let’s look at whose chances just got significantly better.