This is the most important year for the Chicago Blackhawks since Rocky Wirtz took over control of the team in 2007. The foundation of the team was already in place when he took over. Patrick Kane was drafted in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft with the first pick of the draft. Jonathan Toews was drafted third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Brett Seabrook and Duncan Kieth were drafted in 2003 and 2002 respectively. Rocky did oversee the Blackhawks organization to brining in Marian Hossa as the final major player for the start of the three titles in 6 years. He also restructured the management team by bringing in Stan Bowmen, as General Manager and Joel Quenneville as head coach.

After the third title in 2015 the Blackhawks have been on a slow decline. And that will happen to all major teams when their trying to win a title every year. Look at Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals not making the playoffs this year. In 2021 Rocky and the Blackhawks had to deal with the Brad Aldrich scandal that led to few dismissals or resignations with the organization.

Rocky then hired a new General Manager Kyle Davidson and with the struggle of play, Davidson decided to go with a complete rebuild of the organization. On March 18, 2022, with the lack of draft picks he started to trade away popular players like Brandon Hagel to Tampa Bay for Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, 2023 1st round, and 2024 1st round (top ten Protected). On Draft Day he traded two more key players (Kirby Dach and Alex DeBrincat) and turned that into 5 draft picks. That was the indication to all Blackhawks fans that they were in a full rebuild. The Hawks won the Draft Lottery, so they have the 1st pick of the 2023 draft, Conner Bedard.

Know what? After Bedard what are the Hawks game plan? Well, if I was Kyle Davidson this is what I would do.

First, I would trade back into the top 10 of the draft. Use your 19th pick and 2 of this year’s 2nd round draft picks and a 1st round next year. The Hawks have 4 picks in the 2nd round this year, and two in the 1st round the next two years. So giving up something in the future to help with the known quality. With that second pick I would either take David Reinbacher a Two-way Defensemen, from EHC Kloten. Or I would get Bedard his linemate like Matvei Michkov, RW, HK Sochi of the KHL.

The Blackhawks really need to start getting back to drafting defensemen who think defense first, that’s how you win championships but have the offensive side to force teams not to forget them on the puck side. Too many failures going after offensive defensemen in the past has hurt the Hawks in the past.

Drafting Matvei Michkov would give Bedard a linemate for at least the next 10 years that would give the hawks two scoring threats. The only problem drafting Matvei I believe is that he has two years left on his contract in the Kontinental Hockey League.

In the second round I would start by drafting a goalie that could be your starter for years to come. Carson Bjarnason, Brandon, WHL) fits the bill. He has the potential to be a number 1 goalie in the league. He plays in a league where he goes against Conner Bedard and others. He is ranked as the top goaltender by the NHL Central Scout.

The rest of the draft I would continue to look to get more assets.

Now let’s look at Free Agency, I heard the Blackhawks had told Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane that they have no intentions on resigning them. But if I were the General Manager I would of asked Toews if he was going to do after he plays hockey. Starting to see if one day he wants to coach. These young guys will need mentors to learn not just the NHL but what to do off the ice also. Toews and Kane would be a very good influencer to these young men coming into the league. I would resign Toews on one-year deals till he decides he wants to retire or go directly into coaching. As far as Patrick Kane I would offer the same deal but also tell him that if we are off to the slow start that again we will trade him to a team that is contending for the championship if he wants.

The Blackhawks are sitting with 41 million dollars for spending this season. They need to spend at least 19.4 million just to reach the floor of the salary cap. So other players the Blackhawks can go after are Timo Meier who scored 40 goals and 27 assists in 78 games last season. Michael Bunting of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored 23 goals and had 26 assists last season. Daniel Sprong Seattle Kraken 21 goals and 25 assists last season.

Now the reason I went these three there in their 20’s. Meier and Sprong will be 27, while Bunting will turn 28 this upcoming season. There are two restricted free agents that I would look at, but if I were the General Manager of the teams there on, I will not let them go. One Is Adam DeBrincat of Montreal bring him back would be a major turn for the Hawk fans he was a fan favorite. The other Vince Dunn defensemen Seattle Kraken had 14 goals and 50 assists.

Is any of this going happen probably not. But my dream having these players playing for the Blackhawks next season would get me up and buy season tickets.

Sports the way I see it

Patrick