Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Chicago Blackhawks 2025-2026
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I mean of course neither would, but it's just a colloquialism.
If the Hawks took Demidov over Levshunov it would be a closer call, sadly.
But the emergence of this rivalry feels inevitable.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
No doubt, especially with Bedard and Celebrini being good pals.
I am sure they would like to play on the same team together. Not sure if Bedard is a free agent after this year but I wonder if Bedard would consider a move to SJ, assuming they'd be able to sign him (if he was a free agent).
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
monumental difference between RFA and UFA. KFC is going to lock up Bedard long term this offseason
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Hope so…
It's interesting that things are really looking, but we still finished second to last. I suspect this draft and offseason will be the one where we turn the corner. Looking forward to next season already!
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Feels like it needs to be.
I don't think Connor Bedard is interested in being Dylan Larkin.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I’m think it’ll determine if Davidson is around long term, too. Another second to last next year probably gets him fired.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
there's zero chance we're 2nd to last next year. should be somewhere near 85 points
Wirtz believes in KFC: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackh...-kyle-davidson-contract-extension-danny-wirtz
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Blackhawks extend general manager Kyle Davidson’s contract
“We are committing to Kyle to continue the plan he has put in place,” chairman and owner Danny Wirtz said before the team’s season-ending game.
The higher-ups are bought in on the process, but that cautionary tale of the Red Wings looms, particularly unavoidable with Blashill as coach.
It's what's great about hockey, it's not baseball, it's not strictly an asset accumulation exercise.
As long as the building is full, Wirtz is happy, which is what scares me. This team needs to show marked improvement next year. They are frighteningly close to becoming the Bulls 2.0 - selling tickets only because of past glory with no real indictators of future success.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
It was Rocky and not Danny of course, but that's not really a fair comparison when the Hawks pulled every salary cap trick in the book to spend more and more money to keep their dynasty together, beyond the point where it even made sense.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Bowman grasping for straws. should have thrown in the towel (and gone full rebuild), but no...
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Totally. Mistakes were made.
Hasn't always been smart, and of course hasn't been free of off-the-ice controversy, but since Bill Wirtz' death the Blackhawks have spared neither expense nor emphasis striving to be championship caliber, which makes them a totally different story than their United Center roommates.
They embraced Tank Mode in order to be great. Tank Mode is harder to escape in the NHL than in other sports. It's time for that to happen.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I believe those salary cap rules with regard to LTIR they took advantage of have changed, either this year or next.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Yep. First thing they did, and I don't remember how many days it was after Bill died, was to announce that home games were returning to TV. If you don't care about growing your fan base and only care about the "season reservation holders", you would have left it the way it was.
I remember the early to mid 2000s when they had ~8000 fans in attendance. And since hockey has less of a TV package than the other major sports, gate attendance matters a lot more.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
They've gone from 52 to 61 to 72 points the last three seasons. It will be interesting to see if the Western Conference will have as much parity next season. It took 90 points to make the playoffs this year. That would be a big jump for the Hawks to get there, but it seems doable. They need to bring in some veteran help, especially on the back end. You can't rely on hoping the young players can figure it out all at once anymore. I assume if they are not at least contending for a playoff spot until the end of the season next year, Davidson could be in trouble, but who knows.