3 lingering issues could derail the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild plans

The Chicago Blackhawks entered the 2024-25 season looking to finally emerge from their rebuild as playoff contenders. But after a sour season in which they ended in last place in the Central Division, lingering doubts remain about the Hawks’ rebuild.

In particular, three lingering issues stand out as potential roadblocks to the Blackhawks' rebuild plans. So, let’s take a closer look at these issues and what they could mean moving forward.

Not drafting an elite winger

The Chicago Blackhawks have drafted in the top 10 the last three seasons, getting the top pick in 2023 and the second-overall selection last year.

In 2023, Connor Bedard was the obvious choice. Last season, Artyom Levshunov, a defenseman, joined the Blackhawks with the second-overall pick.

Both are great picks. But when looking back, the Blackhawks really haven’t drafted an elite scoring winger who could play alongside Bedard for the foreseeable future. That’s a big issue as Bedard doesn’t have high-end wingers to play with him.

Thinking about it this way. Successful teams pair their top-line centers with equally talented wingers. The Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Toronto Maple Leafs have Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

With four first-round picks in the last two drafts, the Blackhawks did not add a high-end winger. Instead, they added Bedard, a center, and Oliver Moore in 2023, who also looks like a solid top-six center.

Last year, it was Levshunov and another forward listed as a center in Sacha Boisvert. Yes, Moore or Boisvert could be groomed as a winger for Bedard. But going back even further, the Blackhawks have not picked a top-line winger. That’s an issue as the Blackhawks cannot expect to maximize Bedard’s production by pairing him with Ryan Donato and Ilya Mikheyev next season.

Surrounding Connor Bedard with too many veterans

So, part of the plan has been to insulate Bedard with veteran players who could serve a mentorship role. That’s a fantastic idea, but the issue is that these veterans have produced little in terms of scoring or playing meaningful defensive roles.

For instance, Pat Maroon, while tough and gritty, didn’t have a great season. Nick Foligno is a great leader, but he’s well past his prime. Tyler Bertuzzi had a decent year, but his upside is extremely limited.

The Blackhawks are not in a position to add high-priced free agents who could make a significant difference for the team. But moving forward, the club will need to look at adding key vets much the same way the Detroit Red Wings added Patrick Kane to bolster their rebuild.

Experimenting with coaches

I get that teams don’t spend much money on high-end coaches during the initial stages or a rebuild. If anything, coaches during rebuilds are more like placeholders while the roster churns and the team accrues enough assets.

But that doesn’t mean that the Blackhawks should continue experimenting with coaches like they did with Luke Richardson.

The time has come for the Blackhawks to find a reliable coach who can instill the type of system and structure that can lay the foundation for a playoff contender. That situation involves hiring a coach who can help the team develop an identity, much the way Jim Montgomery did with the St. Louis Blues.

The Blackhawks’ next coach, whether it’s Anders Sorensen or anyone else, must be prepared to instill a system and culture that’s conducive to the team’s strengths, building around Connor Bedard, and maximizing the team’s prospect pipeline.