When game time comes for the Blackhawks this season, their fans let out a resounding sigh for what the next 60 minutes will bring.
Other than the Vancouver Canucks, the Blackhawks have the worst record in the NHL. Not only that, but they are four wins behind any other team in their division. And to add more, both the Kings and the Flyers, who started the season 0-6 and 0-6-3, have surpassed Chicago in wins.
It feels like it can’t get worse for the Blackhawks. So what is happening?
Blackhawks Stuck in a Slump
Coming into the season without their captain, Connor Bedard, Chicago already had big shoes to try and fill. Bedard, having missed the first six games of the season, is already leading his teammates in points with 14. Just behind him is Roman Kantserov, who stepped up in the blink of an eye and began making a huge difference.
Even missing their captain at the start, the Blackhawks still had reason to be hopeful. They cashed in a win four games in against the St. Louis Blues, while other programs still hunted for their first. And Bedard’s timeline towards returning jumped ahead by weeks.
In Bedard’s first game back, the team beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3. Yet, against their luck, two-way defenseman Bowen Byram began missing games and practices after the game due to an injury.
Two steps forward, one step back.
Still, fans had hope. A homestand with back-to-back wins against strong opponents like the Penguins and the Winnipeg Jets looked good.
That is, until things fell apart again.
More losses followed, and they’ve had only one win since. The power play is abysmal, and the biggest issue is that the Blackhawks haven’t created a consistent offensive front all season. It’s hard to create offense when they struggle to even break into the neutral zone.
Then, looking at games like their one against the Bruins, it’s also the fact that Chicago can’t seem to finish. The Blackhawks had that game in the bag, and they fumbled it horribly. Chicago led by two with less than half the third period left, then managed to take the game to overtime and still lost.
To top it all off, Patrick Kane suffered an upper-body injury a couple of games back, and the Blackhawks are coming off a 2-9 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
It appears the Blackhawks can’t win, literally and figuratively.
Chicago Players Amidst All the Problems
After the 2-9 loss against the Hurricanes, the Blackhawks players held a players-only meeting.
Bedard left the meeting explaining that he and his teammates needed “a chance to get some frustration out,” and that it’s been a tough start.
That said, Bedard added that they still “have that camaraderie” and enjoy being around each other and playing together. So it’s not a team bonding issue; it’s something different.
Byram and Bedard haven’t really had the chance to play together yet, as the game Bedard returned to was the same as Byram’s last before his injury. Once Byram returns, that dynamic is something fans can and should look out for.
Kantserov and Bedard on the top line is something special, too. But it can’t be the only powerhouse that Chicago has. When looking at the 2010s Blackhawks dynasty, there are Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Yet they were also three-time Stanley Cup champions because of players like Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith.
Relying too much on Bedard and Kantserov to score only builds more pressure and makes things harder.
Kane’s absence also takes away a leadership presence that is important for such a young team. Many of the young Blackhawks grew up with Kane as a role model. Yes, Chicago’s record still suffered even with Kane healthy, but morale is still an important factor.
It is good that Bedard came out of the players-only meeting still showing support and love for his teammates. The last thing the Blackhawks need is a resentful captain.
Kyle Davidson Addresses Concerns
Head Coach Jeff Blashill and General Manager Kyle Davidson have both dealt with a lot of scrutiny. With this season a total disaster so far and no signs that the long-running rebuild is making a difference, it’s no wonder fans are frustrated.
Chicago isn’t the first city to voice these frustrations with Blashill. Detroit and Tampa Bay fans expressed similar concerns, even creating petitions to fire him.
Davidson’s main backlash stems from his heavy support for Blashill, along with the never-ending rebuild that still isn’t making a difference.
Davidson held a press conference on Nov. 11 to address concerns with the program. At the conference, Davidson said he still believes in Blashill as coach and that his main concerns are actively seeking trades and addressing defensive issues.
Bedard, who’s shown support for Blashill since the start, continues to stand by that. After a practice on Nov. 11, Bedard says he and his teammates have “100 percent belief” in Blashill. Bedard added that Blashill gives the Blackhawks “a great game plan” and that he’s doing his job as coach.
So far, Davidson’s most recent roster move was recalling goaltender Drew Commesso from the Rockford IceHogs and sending Arvid Söderblom back to the AHL affiliate.
There are great players within the Blackhawks program. Chicago needs to find the right ways to utilize their stars to get out of this low point.
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