5 Storylines To Follow During the Second Half of the Season for the Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard's return from injured reserve and the impact it will have on the offense.

Bedard has been out since January 5th with a fractured jaw. He provided an update on his return at the All-Star Game.

The return timetable appears to be the same six to eight weeks as it was projected when he had surgery. It sounds like a return in February is unlikely. That means a March return.

It also means the Chicago Blackhawks offense will continue to struggle. The Hawks have been shut out in four of the 11 games they have played without Bedard. They also have four games during that span where they have scored one goal in regulation or overtime.

It is not like the Blackhawks are not shooting the puck. They just do not have a load of talented skill players to find the back of the net with Bedard on IR. Now the scoring drought is getting into the team's heads.

Jason Dickinson has been the only threat to score on a nightly basis. Otherwise, finding offense has been laborious. The only positive with Bedard out is everyone has stopped standing around watching Bedard try to make amazing things happen.

Once he returns, the hope is the effort everyone is playing with, along with Connor's amazing skills starts to produce more scoring.

Taylor Raddysh, Lukas Reichel, and Arvid Soderblom trying to finish the season strong.

Raddysh's and Reichel's offensive struggles are a contributing factor to the Hawks not producing much offense. They have a combined 19 points (Raddysh has 10 while Reichel has nine) and eight goals (Raddysh with five of them) this season.

Raddysh has missed some time with an injury, but he has not played anywhere near the level we saw last season when he racked up 37 points. Reichel is one of the Blackhawks' most gifted offensive players, but his confidence has been shot with the rough way his first NHL season is going.

If both of them can rebound in the second half, it will help the offense. It will also help their future standing with the team. Both are set for restricted free agency. Reichel is 21 so his age and potential, however diminished it feels like right now, should get him another contract. He is costing himself money and years on that deal right now.

Raddysh will be 26 next season so he is still young enough for the Hawks to consider him as a long-term piece. With this production and all the prospects the Hawks have, if he continues to play like this, he is likely to be non-tendered.

Soderblom is another young player disappointing in his first full NHL season. The hope by now is he would have a firm grasp on the No. 1 goaltender spot. Instead, he is one of the worst goalies in the NHL. He has been so bad that the Blackhawks have extend Petr Mrazek to a bridge-deal until Drew Commesso is ready.

That does not mean the clock has run out on Soderblom's hopes to be the long-term starting netminder for the Hawks. If he plays like he has the rest of the year, it will solidify him as nothing more than a backup goalie, or worse, a player the team loans out to a European club next season.

Frank Nazar's (possible) NHL debut.

There is speculation that the Blackhawks' second first-round pick in the 2022 draft will sign with the team after Michigan season ends.

When the Wolverines' season ends could throw a wrinkle on his signing and making his NHL debut. If Michigan makes the NCAA Tournament and a run to the Frozen Four, there will be no chance of him playing for the Blackhawks. The Frozen Four is April 11th and 13th. That would leave just two games left on the schedule once Michigan's season wraps up.

If Michigan does not make the tournament (they are 14-9-3 so there is a chance) or has a short stay, then there is some time for him to sign and debut with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Giving him a taste of the NHL is probably the best way to start his development. He is an amazing playmaker that the Hawks could use for the season's final games.

He had a strong World Juniors and projects to the team's future second-line center or play the wing (or center) on the top line with Bedard.

Colton Dach and Landon Slaggert possibly getting some NHL ice time

Two other prized prospects could make their NHL debut at some point this season. Dach has missed time this year in Rockford with an injury. He has 16 points in 23 games for the IceHogs.

There is hope among Blackhawks fans that Dach will get a call-up this season, especially with Reichel struggling. Dach can play up and down all four lines. The front office does not want to rush him like the team did with his brother, Kirby.

Slaggert is a Hawks prospect who confirmed he will sign with the team once Notre Dame's season ends. The Blackhawks' top brass consider him as the most NHL-ready player the team has among their group of prospects.

He is another forward with the ability to play on the top line or the fourth line. Whether he gets an opportunity to play in the NHL this season depends on the timing of the Fighting Irish finishing their season and the Hawks front office choosing his career should start in Chicago or Rockford.