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The 2024-25 season is in the books for the Chicago Blackhawks. They ended their campaign with a 25-46-11 record for 61 points, good for a rather disappointing 31st in the league. But they were also 4-1-1 in their last six games, finishing off the season on a high note and showing some encouraging trends in the right direction. A plethora of young prospects joined the team in the last few weeks of the campaign, and they all wanted to prove their worth. As a result, there’s tons of hope on the horizon for an exciting 2025-26 season.
But before we turn the page to what promises to be an eventful offseason, let’s look back on some thoughts on the 2024-25 campaign.
Donato Hits 31 Goals
Who would’ve ever thought at the beginning of the season that Ryan Donato would be the top goal scorer for the Blackhawks?! Heck, he was on the bubble during training camp!
Not only that, but the 29-year-old shattered all his previous career-highs (16 goals, 18 assists, 31 points). This season, Donato notched 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points, pretty much doubling all his old stats. He ended the campaign first on the team in goals, third in assists and second in points.
Donato definitely took advantage of his opportunities this season, playing up and down in the lineup but often-times being deployed with Connor Bedard on the top line and on the top power play unit. He’s now an unrestricted free agent, but he and the Blackhawks are exploring what an extension could look like.
Bedard’s Sophomore Slump?
Can we really call it a sophomore slump? Sure, the expectations were higher for Bedard this season. But he ended the campaign with a bang, notching three goals and seven points in the last four games.
Bedard’s season totals were 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 82 games. His rookie stats were 22 goals, 39 assists and 61 points. That was in 14 less games because of a broken jaw, so technically he under-achieved.
But those stats are still pretty impressive! Bedard tied Tyler Bertuzzi for second on the team in goals, and led the team in assists and points. As a matter of fact, he’s become quite the distributor, which will just be another facet of his game moving forward.
Plus, the 19-year-old dealt with questionable coaching and a ludicrous rotation of linemates. Sure, the entire team dealt with that too, but Bedard is only 19! He now has a better idea of what works and what doesn’t work in this league, and I’m sure he has a laundry list of things to work on in the offseason. This young man is just getting started.
Nazar Looks Legit
Wow, Frank Nazar sure did make a statement this season, didn’t he?! He was called up in mid-December and never looked back. The 21-year-old got off to a bit of a slow start, but he just kept learning and growing and building, and it paid off.
Nazar ended the campaign with an impressive 12 goals and 26 points in 53 games. In his last eight games, he boasted five goals and nine points, including the overtime winner to end the season.
Connor Bedard sets up Frank Nazar for the overtime winner, and that's how Chicago's season comes to an end. Perfect. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/mZnKvtU8Pe
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 16, 2025
The Michigan native contributed not just on 5-on-5 but on the power play and penalty kill (and overtime!) as well. Plus, he had a respectable 45.4% success rate in the faceoff circle, and his energy, quickness and great instincts stood out above the rest pretty much on every shift. This kid is just dynamic, and is going to be really fun to watch!
Blackhawks’ Defensive Depth is Strong
The Blackhawks have been known for a while now as having one of the best defensive prospect pools in the NHL, and it’s finally showing up at the NHL level. Surprisingly, the Blackhawks didn’t feel the loss of Seth Jones as expected. Instead, Alex Vlasic stepped up admirably and others fell in right behind him to do their part.
Ethan Del Mastro was the first to be sent back to the Rockford IceHogs in April, but that’s presumably because the organization already knows what they’re getting with him. People also tend to forget about Nolan Allan, who made the team out of training camp and basically played the first half of the season up with the big club.
Then there’s Wyatt Kaiser, who’s becoming more and more consistent with experience. Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov are both young and need some work, but their ceilings are incredibly high.
Louis Crevier; well his time with the Blackhawks might be limited now that other right-handed D-men Levshunov and Sam Rinzel have arrived on the scene. Crevier is a restricted free agent the Blackhawks might not re-sign.
The point is the future looks awfully bright on the blue line, and I haven’t even gotten to Rinzel yet!
Rinzel’s Impact Felt Early
The organization was high on their 2022 first round (25th overall) draft pick, but I’m not sure anyone expected Rinzel to have the impact he did so early on. Making his NHL debut on Mar. 30, he was promoted to the top defensive pairing alongside Vlasic in his second game, and was quarterbacking the top power play unit by his fourth game.
Sure, it’s the end of the season and the Blackhawks want to see what they have in their prospects. So, one could argue this is more of an experiment of sorts. But Rinzel hasn’t just held his own with this deployment; he’s excelled at it. The 20-year-old has essentially become the Blackhawks’ top defenseman overnight!
Rinzel contributed five assists in his first nine NHL games. His average ice time was 23:22 minutes, just under Jones (24:30) and just ahead of Vlasic (23:16) for second place on the team. He’s also one of only two players who finished the season with a positive plus/minus rating; as a plus-1. Forward Ilya Mikheyev was the other with a plus-4. Rinzel has shown that he’s extremely responsible defensively, he distributes the puck well and is calm and poised under pressure. In short, Rinzel’s early impact has been extremely positive.
Goaltending Shows Promise
I’m not sure how general manager Kyle Davidson managed to acquire netminder Spencer Knight from the Florida Panthers while unloading Jones. But he did, and the Blackhawks have made it clear the No. 1 goaltending job is his to lose. Knight comes to the Blackhawks with solid fundamentals; he’s technically sound, he tracks pucks well and he has strong lateral movement. (from ‘Why the Blackhawks are so optimistic about new goalie Spencer Knight’, The AthleticCHI – 3/3/2025)
Plus, Knight seems to have the fortitude and mature mindset to take the reins as a leader for this young team. Here’s a save by Knight from the Blackhawks’ last game of the season versus the Ottawa Senators.
Knight SOMEHOW stops Cozens pic.twitter.com/yLHFeibhlr
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) April 16, 2025
Meanwhile, Arvid Soderblom has had a bounce-back campaign, making a case to be extended (he’s currently a restricted free agent) and serve as the team’s No. 2 guy behind Knight. Veteran goalie Laurent Brossoit is signed for one more season with the Hawks, so that could be a potential issue. We shall see how it all plays out.
Reichel, Kurashev Disappointments This Season
We talked about some breakout players up above, but that can’t be said for Lukas Reichel or Philipp Kurashev. Expectations were definitely higher for these two forwards. Reichel, the 17th overall pick in the 2020 draft, registered eight goals and 22 points in 70 games. Granted, this is better than last season (5G, 11A, 16P in 65 games), but that wasn’t a very high benchmark to begin with.
Reichel was often-times a healthy scratch, and when he was in the lineup he couldn’t seem to move past the fourth line. The 22-year-old is signed with the Blackhawks through next season, and not all development is linear. I would guess Reichel will have one more campaign to prove himself to the Blackhawks.
Kurashev, on the other hand, is now a restricted free agent, and his seven goals and 14 points in 51 games did nothing to give the organization a reason to re-sign him. The 25-year-old enjoyed a standout 2023-24 campaign (18G, 36A, 54P) flanking the rookie Bedard, but now more capable players have taken his place in that regard, essentially pushing him out of the future lineup.
Maroon & Martinez Retire
Not one, but two players decided to hang up their skates at the conclusion of this season (on Apr. 12 at the Blackhawks’ last home game). Forward Pat Maroon and defenseman Alec Martinez are both legends of the game, each with three Stanley Cup championships to their name!
It’s always tough to say goodbye, and these two hockey players will be remembered fondly. The younger Blackhawks were lucky these two consummate professionals landed with the organization in the last season of their careers, to be role models and impart their leadership and knowledge to the future generation.
Coaching Questions for the Blackhawks
The Blackhawks fired head coach Luke Richardson in early December and replaced him with Anders Sorensen, the Rockford IceHogs head coach and long-time member of the organization. The team committed to sticking with Sorensen through the remainder of the season, but it’s become clear Sorensen is not the long-term answer.
The organization will begin its search in the offseason for a coach to lead the Blackhawks in the next step of their rebuild. Highly discussed candidates include Mike Sullivan, currently coaching the Pittsburg Penguins, or David Carle, head coach of the University of Denver. This will be a BIG storyline during the offseason.
The Youth Movement Is Here!
Six players made their NHL debuts this season (Drew Commesso, Colton Dach, Levshunov, Oliver Moore, Rinzel and Ryan Greene). In the last game of the season against the Senators, 12 of the Blackhawks’ 19 starters were 23 years old or younger. Seven of their 11 total points in that same game came from players 21 years old or younger. It’s the younger players that are leading the way now. I’d say the youth movement is definitely here.
Two other key words to go along with youth for the Blackhawks is speed and talent. There is so much speed on this roster, and so much raw talent. Plus, this young squad is hungry to make a name for themselves. All those things combined make for a great formula moving forward. With Bedard, Nazar and Moore leading the way on offense and Vlasic, Rinzel and Levshunov holding down the fort on defense, just to name a few, the building blocks are all falling into place.
Yes, 2024-25 was another rough season for the Blackhawks and their rebuild. But with the up-and-coming young core, the Blackhawks will look to add some talented veteran depth during free agency, and find the right coaching staff to lead the Blackhawks back to contention. The future looks pretty bright.
Gosh, is it October yet?!
Keep it right here at The Hockey Writers for plenty of offseason material. Our THW crew is set to give you player grades and prospect profiles, as well as draft and free agency coverage and much more. Never a dull moment with the Blackhawks!
More must-reads:
- Is Kirill Kaprizov worth a record-setting contract?
- Troubling update emerges about Joel Embiid’s health
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Bruins Linked to Mammoth Forward as Potential Trade Target
With the Boston Bruins seeking offensive upgrades, Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz has emerged as a potential trade target. In a recent piece for The Hockey News, contributor Spencer Lazary listed Schmaltz among three Mammoth players who could be moved—and he stands out as the most intriguing fit for Boston. Schmaltz is coming off a season where he scored 20 goals and 43 assists for 63 points in 82 games. That’s solid production and the kind of offense the Bruins could use. What makes him more intriguing is that he’s consistently producing. This past season marked his fourth consecutive with at least 20 goals and 58 points. He’s a lock for top-six offense at a reasonable cap hit of $5.85 million. Schmaltz is also a versatile, relatively younger player (29) who can play wing and center. Given the Bruins aren’t loaded with offense outside of David Pastrnak, his addition could be a boost for the Bruins’ struggling power play. It ranked 29th last season at just over 15%. What Would the Bruins Have to Trade to Get Schmaltz? Schmaltz carries a $5.85 million cap hit through 2025-26, which means the Bruins taking on some money. They would likely have to move some back to Utah in the deal. Lazary writes, “It really comes down to how Utah views him going forward. If they’re not planning to bring him back, it makes sense to see what’s out there. He could help bring in a piece that fits better with where they’re going, or be part of something bigger if they’re trying to take another step.” If Utah doesn’t want to take on money in a trade, Boston would have to find a way to shed salary to make a deal work.
Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
25-time Grammy winner's sports agency blasts Jerry Jones for 'comical' comment
The Dallas Cowboys may have 99 problems, and the way owner Jerry Jones handles contract negotiations could be considered a big one. Jones spoke with the media Saturday regarding Micah Parsons' contract situation. The EDGE, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade. The 82-year-old owner clarified the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons. While discussing negotiations, Jones took an unprovoked jab at former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and his agent, rapper Jay-Z. "When we have a problem within the team and a player, I don't ever find the agent. He's nowhere to be found," Jones said. "...Jay-Z and I negotiated [Bryant's contract in 2015], spent hours. He said, 'Anybody in my organization is on time.' He said, 'My office used to be on the street corner, and I've always been early. So, they will be on time.' And I said, 'Where do I sign? But I'm going to call you.' Finally, he quit taking my call." The 25-time Grammy winner's sports agency, Roc Nation, took issue with Jones' comment. In a statement released on X Sunday, it denied his claim, calling it "comical." This is yet another example of Jones prioritizing attention when he should be focused on extending two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. The Cowboys often delay deals for their stars. The team signed Bryant to a five-year, $70M deal in July 2015, just before the deadline to extend players with a franchise tag. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M contract ahead of its season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The team's procrastination often leaves it paying even more for star players and wastes valuable time. Parsons is still with the team at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., but isn't participating. He likely wants a contract that's similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (three years, $123M). The pass-rusher is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Jones' methods are one reason the Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Jay-Z should mention that if he wants to write a single that includes a lyric about the owner.
'Morphed Into A Different Player': Steelers Fans Get Inspiring Update On Key Defensive Piece Heading Into 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for always having a highly capable defense. The expectations for the unit are sky-high heading into the 2025 season as it will be the fourth consecutive year that Pittsburgh is rostering the highest-paid defense in the league. The group is headlined by stars at every level, with some of the most notable being TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Jalen Ramsey. However, in order to have the best defense in the league, Pittsburgh is going to need to see some of the younger guys stepping up. Someone to keep an eye on is inside linebacker Payton Wilson. Wilson was one of the more exciting picks for the Steelers during the 2024 NFL Draft, and he did not disappoint during his rookie year. He tallied 78 total tackles, an interception, and he also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Fans are looking for Wilson to have another successful season, which probably includes taking another step forward. Team insider Mark Kaboly has noticed a difference in Wilson while being in Latrobe, which he posted to social media. "You know that big jump that Tomlin talks about from being a rookie to being a second-year player being significant?" Kaboly asked. "It’s real, at least for Payton Wilson, and it's likely not in the area you were expecting. Wilson has morphed into a different football player, more than just on the field. A guy who barely spoke last year, Wilson has been one of the more vocal players on the defense, which already has some big personalities. The trash talking, the vocal leadership, and the intensity have been off the charts through the first week, and it’s been relentless. I can’t admit that we would see that from Wilson this early in his career, but here we are." It seems as though Wilson is trying to take on more of a leadership role during his second season with the team, and he is also trying to make more of an impact with his play. He played well as a rookie, but some fans are expecting him to take a major leap in 2025. This could propel him into Pro Bowl status, or something close. Wilson has been extremely vocal throughout camp, and he has even been taking shots at some of his own teammates in the media. Kaboly has heard him down on the field between the whistle, which is something Pittsburgh needs as a part of its defense. Kaboly believes this is all a result of Wilson being more confident and comfortable in his role. "All that means to me is that he’s much more comfortable in his role – a role where he doesn’t want to come off the field for any reason," Kaboly wrote. During the 2024 season, Wilson played a decent amount, but he only started four total games. Elandon Roberts would usually be the other linebacker next to Patrick Queen when it seemed like a running situation, while Wilson would be on the field in obvious passing scenarios. Wilson wants to be a three-down linebacker in 2025, which is certainly possible. Steelers' Payton Wilson Is Not Lacking Confidence Wilson is flying high heading into 2025, and rightfully so. He has come out and point blank said that he is one of the best coverage linebackers in the world, which is something he will be looking to prove once the regular season kicks off. He is going to need to be a key contributor for Pittsburgh if they want to be the best defense in the league, especially if he plans on being on the field in all scenarios.
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