10 observations: Connor Bedard, Blackhawks put bow on 2023-24 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Presented by Nationwide insurance agent Jeff Vukovich
The Chicago Blackhawks fell 5-4 in overtime to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena to put a bow on the 2023-2024 season.
Here are 10 observations of the loss:
1. The Blackhawks finished the season with a 23-53-6 record and 52 points, which is the fewest points in franchise history since the NHL went to an 80-plus schedule in 1974. They only won seven games on the road and 16 on the road. At home. They finished 31st in the standings, meaning they are guaranteed a Top 4 pick.
2. Connor Bedard’s rookie NHL season is in the books. His latest stat: 22 goals, 39 assists and 61 points in 68 games. I have a feeling he would have averaged a point per game if he hadn’t missed fourteen games with a broken jaw, but that’s just me. Chicago’s No. 1 overall pick in 2023 not only met expectations, he exceeded them.
3. Petr Mrazek was the team’s MVP (with Bedard right behind him). He had a .908 save percentage and saved 1.6 goals above expectations, per Money Puck, in 56 appearances, which is a new career high for him. For context, the league average save percentage this season was .903. It’s impressive that he finishes above average on a Blackhawks team that has given up a lot of chances.
4. Lukas Reichel had a tough season, and that’s putting it lightly. I think next season will be crucial for him. He needs to show significant improvements to prove he should be part of the future. Reichel hoped to represent Team Germany in the IIHF World Championship in May, but the Blackhawks instead sent him to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs for the Calder Cup Playoffs, indicating the management group should look to acquire him in the postseason and come back to be himself, so that he can go into the summer with a better taste in his mouth.
5. Kevin Korchinski’s rookie campaign has been up and down. I think he could have benefited from an AHL stint this season, but he was ineligible due to Canadian Hockey League rules. I don’t have many doubts that he will be a top-level offensive defenseman. It is the defensive part that needs to be elevated to a more respectable level. However, he is still very young and still has a lot of muscle to add. Once he fills out his frame over the next few years, he will get stronger in combat drills and boxing in front of the net.
6. Alex Vlasic was the breakout player of the season for the Blackhawks. I believe he is establishing himself as a core member of the next great Blackhawks team. Very curious to see what his next contract will look like.
7. I can imagine that Arvid Söderblom wants to throw this season in the trash. I thought he had a great first few months and was just not getting any walking support. But then his play took a turn for the worse. I’m sure it will motivate him all summer long to be much better next season.
8. Jason Dickinson is quietly becoming an elite shutdown center in the NHL. The Blackhawks had a goal differential of +9 when he was on the ice during 5-on-5 action this season, according to Natural Stat Trick. They had a -93 differential when he wasn’t on the ice. He faced top competition every night and also scored 22 goals in his career. What a season.
9. What an asset Nick Foligno was for the Blackhawks. He was the de facto captain and helped the team navigate difficult waters early in the season, both on and off the ice. His impact was clear this season, but years from now we’ll still hear from some of the younger players on the team just how impactful Foligno actually was.
10. The Blackhawks have quite a few free agents, both unrestricted and restricted. Many of them are not expected to return. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bottom six have a slightly different composition next season.
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