4 Things the Blackhawks Need to Go Right to Make the Playoffs – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

Training camp is within eye distance and as is the case with any young team, the future feels limitless. For a team like the Chicago Blackhawks, this is a critical juncture. The team remains one of the youngest in the league but potentially on the cusp of finding an identity and growing together.

Though they may not necessarily be a Cup contender, there is a lot to be excited for going into this season. Though they face early challenges, the Blackhawks could potentially make a run for the playoffs if a few things go right.

More Production from the Back End

The defensive core was one of the youngest in the game a season ago. Sam Rinzel, Alex Vlasic, Wyatt Kaiser, and Artyom Levshunov all 25 years old or younger. They went through their growing pains, finishing as one of the least productive groups in the league with just 129 points (25^th in the NHL).

The Blackhawks got a sizable boost from the addition of Bowen Byram, even if the cost was high. He immediately becomes one of the most experienced and easily the most productive defensemen on the list. He flashed No.1 offensive defenseman potential for the Buffalo Sabres last season and hopes that opportunity can take him to the next level.

With another year under the belts of the four young defenders, the addition of Byram, and hopefully a jump from 22-year-old Kevin Korchinski, the Blackhawks should be more productive this coming season. Just how much more could be a determining factor for them.

A League-Average Power Play

Despite having some electric young talent, the Blackhawks were miserable against the power play a season ago. The unit clicked at just 16.9 percent, good for 29^th in the league. It is also a contributing factor to the miserable 2.56 goals per game the team averaged (30^th).

If the Blackhawks are going to start adding more points to their total, they need to take advantage when the opposition gives them the opportunity. Even a shift toward average would see them score anywhere from 5-10 more goals – not-insignificant amount when you consider they scored 40 all season long.

Byram should help in this area as well. He’s a fantastic skater with good offensive instincts and vision, which could help unlock Connor Bedard (when he returns) and youngsters like Roman Kantserov and Anton Frondell.

Stingier Team Defense

On the plus side of the ledger, the Blackhawks do have one of the fine young goalies in the league in Spencer Knight. As bad as things looked for Chicago last season, Knight was the difference between it being a lot worse.

That said, he can only do so much. One of the areas in which the Blackhawks desperately need to improve is in team defense and the number of shots allowed per game. They finished 31^st in the league a season ago, allowing 30 shots per game.

Even dropping by two shots per game would get them to around league average. It would also make life a bit easier on their beleaguered goaltenders. The alternative is shooting the puck more (the best defense is a good offense) and they were dead last in that category last season.

A Noticeable Uptick from the Youth

The reality of the situation is that the Blackhawks are heavily invested in their future. Veterans Tyler Bertuzzi, Patrick Kane, and Teuvo Teravainen will play integral roles, but the fate of the franchise rests on the shoulders of Bedard, Frondell, Kantserov, Levshunov, Vlasic, and Frank Nazar. Six of the top nine forwards and three of their top seven defensemen (counting Korchinski) for Chicago are 22 years old or younger.

Bedard, despite the injury, is on the cusp of superstardom. Nazar showed tremendous promise with 41 points in 66 games last season. Kantserov should be a top rookie after three seasons in the veteran-laden Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Levshunov needs to show more from a 200-foot perspective, and even minor upticks from Vlasic, Kaiser, and Lindel offensively would be a major difference as well.

They don’t collectively need to be a group of dynamos, but noticeable improvement is needed, especially on the back end. If Nazar and Kantserov could combine for 100 points, it would be a massive boost to one of the most anemic offenses from a season ago.

They Need to Be at Least a Threat to Make the Playoffs

Though they are in a stacked division, there is potential for a playoff team in there. They aren’t helped by Bedard’s injury, but they have a ton of room for improvement as a group. If they miss the playoffs but can gain even 10-15 points in the standings, it will set them up for a salivating 2027-28 season.

Failing to be within shouting distance of a playoff spot could be damaging to the core. They can’t have a bottom-of-the-barrel season as they did last season or it could leave the team wondering if they’ve put their faith in the wrong prospects.