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Things Blackhawks Fans Have to Look Forward to in 2019-20

By Tony Gianares

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Fans stand for the national anthem prior to the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on November 14, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Fans stand for the national anthem prior to the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on November 14, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The future of the Blackhawks’ franchise is basically on the line this offseason which should make for an extremely exciting couple of months. There are also some things to watch out for during the 2019-20 NHL season.

The 2018-19 NHL season didn’t turn out the way Blackhawks’ fans were hoping, but there are plenty of things to look forward to. The 3rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft gives the Blackhawks the chance to replenish their core and money to spend in free agency should help accelerate the rebuild process.

I don’t know if you want to call it luck, divine intervention, or what, but things have been falling the Blackhawks way a lot lately. The Blackhawks’ core isn’t getting any younger, so the timing could not have been any better. This perfect opportunity cannot be squandered.

In an effort to revamp the roster, StanBo & Co. have added a few fresh faces to the mix. The first two meaningful dominoes to fall this offseason were the signings of forwards Tim Soderlund and Mikael Hakkarainen. The Blackhawks also won the Anton Wedin sweepstakes.

These players will likely get a lot of exposure during training camp, so make sure to keep an eye out for them.

Another name to watch out for is Dominik Kubalik, who has had a breakout 2018-19 season in the NLA and a great 2019 IIHF Men’s World Championship tournament.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2019 IIHF MWC was Blackhawks’ goalie prospect, Kevin Lankinen. Lankinen’s performance also helped Henri Jokiharju add a 3rd gold medal to his resume.

Mark Your Calendars

Besides adding new faces to the roster, there are other things that will spice up the 2019-20 NHL season as well. The Blackhawks were selected to play in the 2019 NHL Global series.

This will include an exhibition game in Berlin, Germany against Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), as well as the season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers in Prague, the Czech Republic on Friday, October 4th.

The full Blackhawks’ 2019-20 schedule is expected to be announced in August.

Another cool addition to the 2019-20 season will be a new and improved United Center scoreboard. Here is a preview of what the new scoreboard will look like:

https://twitter.com/Certified_TonyG/status/1108513179318083591

Last, but not least, the one thing I’m really looking forward to next season is playoffs. Execution will be crucial this offseason, as the state of the franchise depends on it.

Management’s ability to execute their offseason plan could be the difference between playoffs and a repeat of the 2018-19 season. Nobody wants a repeat.

Life and the NHL are better when the Blackhawks are good, so let’s get back to that. I’m also pretty sure Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews don’t want any more career years wasted too. The 2019-20 Revenge Tour starts now. Let’s get to work.

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