Blackhawks owner gives fans a reality check about rebuild timeline

It's been three years since the Chicago Blackhawks began their rebuild, one that was supposed to accelerate after the team landed the No. 1 pick and used it to select Connor Bedard. But in his first two years, the Blackhawks finished near the bottom of the Western Conference each year.

Things are starting to change, though.

So far this season, the Blackhawks are looking like a team ready to compete for a Wild Card spot, with a 3-2-2 record and eight points. One of their more impressive victories arrived in the form of an 8-3 thrashing of the rival St. Louis Blues. It has fans feeling hope that the team's young core of Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Spencer Knight.

In an interview with NHL.com's Tracey Myers, Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz was asked about the timeline of the team's rebuild. Even though he would like the team to turn into a dynasty again, he is being patient and not putting any lofty expectations on the team.

Danny Wirtz isn't putting a timeline on Blackhawks rebuild

Even though Wirtz said that he feels the team is heading in the right direction, he doesn't want to rush things. He knows it's still a process before the team can go full steam ahead into making moves and trading picks to bring in top-tier players to build a contender.

“The timeline is really predicated on how and when these players develop into the kind of players that we know they can be. The good news is, that does seem to be on track,” Wirtz told NHL.com. “I will remain patient while the process unfolds. We’re all as anxious as anyone to get into the playoffs and go compete for the Stanley Cup, but as I’ve learned quickly, there are no shortcuts, there are no easy buttons on this stuff. We have to let the process and the incredible pipeline of talent we’ve acquired continue to pan out.”

Wirtz has commended the job that general manager Kyle Davidson has done since taking the role on an interim basis in 2022.

“I’m very pleased with how Kyle has handled himself from the first days as interim general manager, said Wirtz. "I was reflecting on how hard it is to be thrown into that kind of situation, and how every step of the way he’s been very clear and deliberate on what he needs to get done to continue to improve and build our team. He continues to check every box as we move along the steps of our journey of rebuilding this group.

There is still a ton of season left, but so far, it's hard for Blackhawks fans to not be a little excited about the future. The games are much more competitive this year than they were in year's past. The next huge step in their rebuild is to re-sign Bedard to a contract extension. While the two sides have yet to reach an agreement, the expectation is that Bedard will stay in Chicago for years to come.

Blackhawks fans will hope that their strong play early on this season continues, and it results in their first playoff berth since 2020. No matter how the season goes, Wirtz is expressing patience in the rebuild process.