What’s on the horizon for Blackhawks in 2024?
Very little has gone right for the Blackhawks this season, and that doesn't figure to change much as the calendar flips to 2024.
But that hardly means fans should stop watching.
Here are the top five things worth paying attention to … not all of which are good, by the way.
Bedard Watch
Since the turn of the century, only two rookies have managed 40-goal seasons: Alex Ovechkin with 52 in 2005-06 and Auston Matthews with 40 in 2016-17. Only four have 80-point seasons (Ovechkin, 106; Sidney Crosby, 102; Mathew Barzal and Evgeni Malkin, 85).
It will be interesting to see if Connor Bedard (15 goals, 17 assists in 34 games) can join either of those elite clubs as he's on pace for 36 goals and 77 points.
Winnipeg's Teemu Selanne holds the rookie record for goals (76) and points (132), accomplishing the feat in 1992-93.
Two Blackhawks rookies have 40-goal seasons: Steve Larmer with 43 in 1982-83 and Darryl Sutter with 40 in 1980-81.
Reichel Watch
It's safe to say no player has disappointed more than forward Lukas Reichel. He knows it, his teammates know it, his coaches know it … and fans certainly know it.
Reichel managed a mere 2 goals and 4 assists in his first 29 games before scoring against Colorado on Dec. 19 during a 3-2 upset win over the Avs.
“I didn't score for a while and it was frustrating,” Reichel said afterward. “Mentally it was pretty tough. It makes it even better to score now and get the win.”
The 21-year-old has been getting all kinds of advice from veterans like Nick Foligno and Colin Blackwell.
“(Blackwell) said during his career he hadn't scored for – I don't know – 20, 30 games and he was overthinking things,” Reichel said. “Then you don't want to make plays. You're scared to make mistakes. Sometimes you just need to work hard and it comes.
“I feel like (the win over Colorado) was a good game, but it's only one game and I've got lots of work to do.”
Reichel did not record a point in the Hawks' next two games and saw just 7:58 of ice time in a 7-5 loss to the Blues on Dec. 23.
Record Watch
The 2022-23 campaign was a historically bad one for the Hawks as their .360 points percentage tied for worst in franchise history in a season with at least 80 games.
This one is worse – and it could rival some of the most wretched in NHL history.
The lowest mark over the last two decades belongs to the 2019-20 Detroit Red Wings (.275). The lowest over the last four decades belongs to expansion Ottawa and San Jose in 1992-93. They finished with matching .143 marks. To get into the top 10 in that group, the Hawks would have to finish .250 or lower.
They were 11-22-1 (.338) after Wednesday's overtime win against Winnipeg.
Sticking together
We're not even to the halfway point and the Hawks have already gone through three seasons worth of drama, turmoil and injuries.
Not to mention the losses.
A prolonged spiral could fracture many locker rooms, but veteran defenseman Connor Murphy does not believe that will happen with this group.
“That's something that we don't have to worry about too much,” he said. “As long as you have good character players and guys in the room, you're going to keep fighting for each other. You know you're going through a hard time together, and the only way to get through it is to band together and make sure you're looking out for each other.
“I don't see any sulking, which is good. Guys are determined.”
Things might improve when defenseman Seth Jones and forward Andreas Athanasiou return from injuries.
Lottery luck
The Hawks are 7 for 56 on the power play over the last 19 games and have won just five of their last 21 games.
But if they go 2 for 2 in draft lottery wins come spring, it means they'll likely add Macklin Celebrini. The Canadian forward scored 46 goals with the USHL's Chicago Steel last season and is dominating as a freshman at Boston University.
Even if the Hawks don't draft No. 1 again, they will definitely add another high-end prospect with a top pick. Then it's time for GM Kyle Davidson to get serious about adding solid free-agent talent to jump-start this rebuild a bit.
Losing like this for a couple of years is OK, but if it goes on too long you risk demoralizing all the young talent you're acquiring.