Chicago Blackhawks’ Fans Need To Brace For A New Reality

The Chicago Blackhawks are not the team they once were, and Blackhawks fans need to accept that while bracing for a new reality of Blackhawks hockey.

The Blackhawks used to be the standard for success in the NHL. Winning three Stanley Cups in six seasons, things were great for the city of Chicago. The Blackhawks had five seasons of at least going to the conference finals, they had a presidents trophy to their name in 2013, and they even were the top team in the west in 2017.

Everything was great for the Blackhawks until it wasn’t. Chicago went from making the playoffs every year to bottom in their division the past three seasons. There is a price to success; I do not think anyone thought we would be paying it this soon.

It is not like there is nothing worth watching anymore when it comes to the Blackhawks. We still do have a roster that can be competitive at times during the regular season, and honestly, our offense can be so fun to watch, especially when you look at who is still in the locker room.

No matter what, as long as we have players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith on our roster, I am going to be watching the Blackhawks with the past in mind. However, the scary thing is they are not going to be around forever.

I want to see the next wave of star Blackhawks step up and start creating their legacy in the city of Chicago.

The Blackhawks have great players in Toews, Kane, and Keith, but they need to take a step back a little if they want to remain effective. Taking a step back allows new players to step up. The players the Blackhawks already have in their locker room could prove ready to elevate their game.

Alex DeBrincat might have had an off-year last season, but that does not mean he won’t come back better than ever next season. I am excepting to see players like DeBrincat, Strome, and Murphy take more significant roles in their position next season.

DeBrincat needs to get more opportunities on the special teams and should be a go-to player when the Blackhawks are down a goal. Strome needs to work on his faceoffs and make sure the Blackhawks can look to him moving forward when the Blackhawks need the puck. While Murphy needs to make sure he is ready to log more ice time for the Blackhawks on a blue line filled with inexperienced young players and older veterans.

Now, I know I did not include players like Ian Mitchell, Kirby Dach, and Adam Boqvist on this list above; I did that intentionally. While I know that they are all going to be influential pieces of this roster years down the line, I do not know how much we can put on their plate next season. We do not want to overwork our young guys too soon. So what does that mean for next season?

The Blackhawks are not going to win the Stanley Cup next season. Honestly, making the playoffs is going to be a bit of a stretch in my eyes too.

While we found a way to compete and make it into the first round this season, these were extraordinary circumstances. Chicago needs to focus on improving their roster and making sure the future is brighter year after year. I do not need to see this team win now, as long as each year they are taking a step forward.

The ‘Hawks were the youngest team in the playoffs this past season. That is something that can not be taken for granted, in my opinion. Chicago went out and gained some precious experience both for the players and coaching staff.

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Next season is going to prove trying for the Blackhawks. As long as we can go out and play competitive hockey, I am going to be alright with whatever result we see on the ice. Let’s hope the young players on this roster can start to take on even more prominent roles, and hopefully, they can continue to develop their game to make the ‘Hawks competitive a few years down the line.

I know that the biggest issue with waiting a few more years to win is who knows where Toews and Kane are going to be at that time when it comes to their regression. Still, the thing is, if we let them take a little step back now, we are going to ensure that they are ready to go when we need them come playoff time in a year or two.

Please do not go out and watch the Blackhawks play next season with the postseason in mind for 2021; instead, start looking ahead for the roster we are building for years to come!