One of the worst teams in the NHL is hoping they can put this year behind them, and start to grow in the future.
Despite the hype and success from superstar rookie Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks have been terrible through the 2023-24 season, which begs the question, what will they do in the offseason to hopefully improve in Bedard’s sophomore campaign?
With the team destined to finish either 14th or 15th in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks will have the opportunity to select another great young talent in the upcoming NHL Draft. However, general manager Kyle Davidson will have some decisions to make regarding players currently on the team’s payroll.
On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk look at what the few months after the regular season could feature for one of the league’s Original Six.
Tyler Yaremchuk: The Hawks have a boatload of cap space, they only have a handful of key free agents they need to consider looking at.
Frank Seravalli: Let’s just say, hypothetically, if the Blackhawks win the draft lottery and Macklin Celebrini, then you can go Bedard and Celebrini down the middle…unbelievable way to rebuild and restart a franchise.
I think they’re going to be looking at the trade market. Part of the issue that they have is that there isn’t a whole ton that they’d be willing to trade, and the rest of their roster…is kind of just, no offense, scraps. Part of it will come down to free agency, part of it will come down to getting their hands on some vets that they trust. They’re in a spot where they’ve got pay, and they want to try and better insulate Bedard, and they’re other young guys, to take that next step forward.
You can watch the entire episode, and full segment here…
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