It’s a fast change, but it surely was additionally in all probability one which was essential for the Blackhawks given the way in which this season — and the rebuild — has been going.
Not solely is Chicago once more one of many worst groups within the NHL, however it isn’t seeing a lot, if any, progress from its younger gamers, whereas the veteran gamers on the roster haven’t produced. It has changed into a really grim scenario the place shedding is beginning to not solely grow to be a behavior, but in addition an expectation.
That’s not what any group needs to see occur.
Between 2008 and 2017 the Blackhawks have been one of many prime organizations in hockey, profitable Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015, whereas making the playoffs 9 years in a row. The workforce was constructed on a core of gamers like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp and Corey Crawford and was a continuing contender. Ultimately, although, these gamers began to grow old, and so they ultimately retired or have been traded away as a part of the workforce’s present rebuild.
They haven’t been capable of efficiently full that rebuild.
Their solely playoff look over the previous eight seasons got here throughout the 2019-20 season, when the NHL expanded the playoffs to 24 groups in a COVID-shortened season. The Blackhawks have been the twenty fourth workforce in that discipline, and in a standard season, they might have missed the postseason by a major margin.
They haven’t come shut in any season since then.
There may be some long-term hope due to the collection of Connor Bedard with the No. 1 general decide in 2023, however even he has not fairly taken a major step ahead this season.
The top coach just isn’t more likely to repair all the issues right here, and there could be deeper issues within the group than simply that. However this was in all probability a essential transfer within the brief time period to attempt to salvage one thing out of this season.
