The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for the 2023-24 NHL season, and fans can’t help but be excited after a challenging year in 2022. With last year’s record of 26-47-7 and the lowest goal tally in the league (202 goals scored), it’s clear the rebuild still had a long way to go.
The energy around the Blackhawks organization took a massive jump when the Blackhawks won the draft lottery, securing the highly anticipated Connor Bedard. Bedard is a generational talent who has since become the focal point of excitement among fans. Despite being just 18 years old, Bedard is already creating quite a buzz. Chicago’s future is looking bright with a youth movement that we should start to see in Chicago this year. Lukas Reichel, Wyatt Kaiser, Cole Guttman, Alex Vlasic and Kevin Korchinski should all start the year in the NHL. These youngsters are expected to make significant contributions in the coming years.
A significant theme for the Blackhawks this season has been the addition of veteran presence to complement their young talent. Notable acquisitions include Taylor Hall, known for his finesse and skill, traded over from Boston and is set to play alongside Bedard on the first line. Ryan Donato, Nick Foligno, and Corey Perry have also joined the roster, each bringing their own unique skills and experiences to the team.
Depth Chart
Forwards
| LW | C | RW |
| Taylor Hall | Connor Bedard | Ryan Donato |
| Tyler Johnson | Lukas Reichel | Andreas Athanasiou |
| Boris Katchouk | Cole Guttman | Taylor Raddysh |
| Nick Foligno | Jason Dickinson | Corey Perry |
With a line 1 center at 18 years old and a line 2 center at 21 years old, the youth movement is on full display. One lingering question is the choice for the right wing on the first line. As of now, it appears that Ryan Donato is the frontrunner, but there are other potential options in consideration. Andreas Athanasiou, Taylor Raddysh, Tyler Johnson and even Lukas Reichel are all guys that could get a look. Raddysh is a guy I’m really high on. He led the Blackhawks in expected goals and expected goal differential last season.
The coaching staff will need to make a decision that maximizes the offensive potential of the line and the development of Bedard and Reichel.
Defense
| LD | RD |
| Wyatt Kaiser | Seth Jones |
| Kevin Korchinski | Connor Murphy |
| Alex Vlasic | Nikita Zaitsev |
Wyatt Kaiser has been great in camp so far and should really have Hawks fan excited. Korchinski looks to make the jump from juniors to the NHL. The 2022 1st round pick looks to make an immediate impact at just 19 years old. Another name to keep an eye on is 2021 1st round pic (32nd overall) Nolan Allan. He’ll start the year in Rockford, but we should see him up sometime soon.
Goalies
| Goalie | Games | Goals Against Avg | Goals Saved Above Expected |
| Petr Mrazek | 39 | 3.38 | -6.3 |
| Arvid Soderblom | 15 | 3.20 | -3.8 |
24-year-old Arvid Soderblom should get his chance to prove he’s the future in net for Chicago after signing a 2-year extension in May, while Petr Mrazek remains on the final year of his contract originally signed with the Maple Leafs. The Blackhawks agreed to take on his contract and as Toronto looked for cap space last offseason. The deal also allowed the Hawks to swap their second-round pick for Toronto’s first-round pick (which they used to take Sam Rinzel).
The success of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023-24 season hinges on several key factors. First and foremost, the development of Connor Bedard and Lukas Reichel will be closely watched. These young stars have the potential to elevate the team to new heights. Another critical area to address last year’s lack of goal scoring is the power play, which ranked 28th in the NHL last year at just 16.4%. Improving their power play efficiency now that they have multiple offensive weapons will be essential for winning close games.
As the Chicago Blackhawks embark on the 2023-24 season, fans should really try to enjoy the ride. Bedard Mania, the infusion of young talent, and the addition of some veteran leadership, has generated a renewed sense of hope. It’s important to approach this season without setting too many expectations, allowing the team to grow and develop. The future looks promising for the Blackhawks, and fans have every reason to be excited about what lies ahead.