Staff Predictions for the Chicago Blackhawks 2021-22 season

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Brandon Hagel #38, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

How many points will the team get?

Jeremy Riback: 93 points. I think the Blackhawks will definitely shock some people this season with this newly revamped lineup. While I really liked what I saw from Kevin Lankinen last season, Marc-Andre Fleury will be a huge difference maker throughout the season after coming off of winning the Vezina trophy. I also think Seth Jones will prove all the doubters wrong by showing how much he still has left in the tank.

Justin Klawans: The Blackhawks have a lot of new players this season, but if they gel together, there’s no reason to think this team couldn’t pick up at least 90 to 95 points. Will they be a guaranteed playoff contender? No. Will they be in the hunt for a playoff spot all season? Absolutely.

Seth Stauffer: 88. I honestly have no idea how to answer this question. The last time Chicago had a full 82 game season was 2018-19, where the team ended with 84 points and 6th in the Central Division. Honestly, that feels like it was ancient history and it’s possible that the team ends up better for 2021-22 than they were in 2018-19.

Matt Kamholz: 95 points, 43-30-9 Many models have the Blackhawks at 91 points, and I think they have Chicago underrated. I think the additions of Fleury, Seth Jones and McCabe make this team better, as does the subtraction of an aging Keith. We can argue day and night over whether Adam Boqvist will be better in 3yrs than Seth Jones, but the vets spoke and made it clear they want to take another kick at the can in Chicago. Plus, Jones has actually shown he could be a number 1 defenseman in the NHL before. Toews coming back is going to be a boon for the room, and I think the bottom of the Central might be a bit overrated (except Arizona).

Jimmy Lynch: I think the Blackhawks could realistically get 98 points this season. The team is well put together and should be competing for the third spot in the division or the first wild card spot, but they cannot have any bad stretches during the season.

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