Everyone knows Connor Bedard is the face of the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Calder Trophy winner proved last season that he was more than just hype as the former No. 1 overall pick proved he was a generational talent.
He led the Hawks in points and assists and tied for the team lead in goals. He did all that while he missed six weeks with a fractured jaw. So imagine the goals he would have put up had he not missed all that time.
Bertuzzi was one of the Hawks’ two major free-agent additions. He is an important addition to the first line as he can be that physical player on Bedard’s line willing to win puck battles while still be skilled enough to play with a top talent like Bedard.
It sounds like the Hawks want him to play the role he played on the Detroit Red Wings when he scored a career-high 30 goals and 32 assists in 2021-22.
Even if he is more like the 21 goals and 22 assists he had last season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, that should help Bedard out as that was a lot of rotation on the top line next to Bedard and Philipp Kurashev.
Speaking of Kurashev, he showed he had really good chemistry with Bedard last season. That chemistry allowed him to skate on the top line with Connor. Now he has to show he has the skill and consistency to be a player worthy of being on the top six.
If he can improve his goal output and continue passing out the assists, that should go a long way toward proving he is a player worthy being on the top line.
The other major free-agent signing the Blackhawks made must provide his consistent offense to help boost the team’s attack.
If Kurashev cannot build off what he did last season, than Teuvo might have to move up a line.
No matter what line he skates on, the Blackhawks sure could use everything he brings to the table.
Teuvo Teravainen, signed 3x$5.4M by CHI, is a pass-first defensive middle-six winger who kills penalties. He’s not big, speedy, or physical but he contributes to the forecheck and helps his line maintain possession of the puck. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/PeDPZDhJZl
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2024
Seth Jones might be the highest-paid player on the team, but if he has an off night, it can take him off his game. Plus, no matter what he does, no one will ever give him credit since he makes too much money for what he produces–a solid No. 1 defender but not worthy of a Norris Trophy.
Vlasic was just given a long-term extension after he had an outstanding first full season for the Hawks. He proved he is a good defensive defenseman. Now he must add contributing to the offensive attack to his game.
He was arguably the second-most valuable player on the team last season with how admirable he played in goal. Mrazek’s number did not indicate he was a wall in goal.
What he did well was make enough saves to keep the Blackhawks in the game on the nights he got the start.
Now he is getting some help in free-agent addition Laurent Brossoit. Still, Mrazek must stay healthy and replicate what he did in goal last season for the Hawks to have a chance of climbing up the standings.
