Blackhawks: Five Players That Need To Step Up Next Season

2 of 3

Adam Boqvist #27, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Blackhawks season did not end the way they wanted.

This is Patrick Kane’s third time missing the playoffs since 2018, and his teams have only won one playoff game since 2017. The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to get back on track as one of the great teams in the league, but some players need to step up to the plate.

The last time the Blackhawks were great, they had one of the deepest lineups around. Everyone was scoring goals and the entire group was just so fun to watch. This team is not built like that right now.

Kane and DeBrincat are always going to be scoring goals and getting points, but outside of those two, the rest of the bunch needs to elevate their game next season. With the divisions going back to what they used to be presumably, this group needs to find another level.

1. Adam Boqvist

Adam Boqvist’s season was riddled with injuries. The offensive defenseman missed time because of everything from COVID to concussions. His season ended early due to a wrist injury as well. The former eighth overall pick needs to be better next season as the team is relying on him.

The Hawks have a number of young defensemen. None have as much potential as Boqvist, but they all are on the same level right now. Boqvist needs to prove to the organization that he can be that number one or number two guy they thought they were getting when they drafted him. He led the team offensively amongst defensemen, and hopefully next season he will do that again.

Dylan Strome #17, Chicago Blackhawks Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dylan Strome

Dylan Strome is an interesting player. On paper, he should be one of the main pieces within this organization, but it already seems like the team has moved on from him. The Blackhawks need Strome to be better than what they have gotten as of late. Whether that means playing him in a new role consistently or giving him new linemates next season.

Strome very well could be traded this off-season or next year. Any other team probably would get more out of him and it just seems like he isn’t working with Jeremy Colliton and the current system.

Strome has talent, and if he cannot use it in Chicago the team will be wise to trade him for some type of return.

3. Pius Suter

Pius Suter is reliable, and he quietly became one of the team’s leaders. Now all this Blackhawk needs is a contract for next season. Suter was fourth on the team in points. During his rookie season, he played great and his game really translated over to the NHL well.

The Hawks did not know when the season began if Suter would be as successful as Kubalik. I would argue he was even more successful just in a different way. Suter was one of the top faceoff takers for the team, he played critical minutes throughout every game for the Hawks and he was someone that Coach Colliton trusted with anyone on the ice.

Next season the Blackhawks’ top two centers will be Kirby Dach and Jonathan Toews should he be back healthy and ready to go, but right behind them would be Suter. Suter scored goals in any way possible and is someone that can make the bottom six better. I cannot wait to see what he can do during a full 82 game season, again assuming he gets a contract.

Kevin Lankinen #32, Chicago Blackhawks Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kevin Lankinen

Kevin Lankinen is the Blackhawks guy, that is until he falls off again. Lankinen did not end the season on a high note. He struggled down the stretch and was outplayed by Subban and Delia through the final months of the season. Because he played the majority of games and was the starter through most of the season he probably will start next season in the starting crease/

Lankinen should start the season, but keeping the net will be a completely different story. Hopefully, the Blackhawks sign a player like Chris Driedger to play 30 or 40 games next season, as this season showed Lankinen probably shouldn’t play four nights a week and multiple back-to-back games.

Lankinen gave the Blackhawks a fighting chance, and that is all you can ask for from a goalie on this team.

5. The Coaching Staff

The last player that needs to step up isn’t a player rather the entire coaching staff. The Hawks played a lot of teams this season that were better than them skill-wise, but they also were outcoached many nights.

If Colliton is the guy for the future and is going to be around long term, the team needs to be better. The special teams were pretty good, but it is the numbers during five on five that need to improve. Also, there were some must-win games this season that often featured poor starts from the Blackhawks. Finding a way to elevate the play of everyone on the roster needs to be a priority of Colliton and the coaching staff next season.

How much longer does Jeremy Colliton get with the Blackhawks?

Suppose everyone on this list can elevate their game this off-season and come back better than ever, then maybe the Blackhawks do have a chance at making the playoffs. And if there is one thing we have learned through the first couple of weeks of playoff hockey, it is that anything can happen once you make the postseason.

Home / Editorials