The Blackhawks ultimate checklist for a successful 2024 offseason

The Chicago Blackhawks 2023 offseason was a resounding success simply because they drafted Connor Bedard, and he rewarded them with an outstanding rookie year. The presumed Calder Trophy winner has 59 points and 22 goals in 63 contests as of April 9th, and his three-zone game will only improve as he becomes more acclimated to the NHL when next season rolls around. 

But as we have seen this season, Bedard’s presence alone won’t change the Blackhawks fortunes, and it shows just how important it is to build a complete team, even around a generational talent. If the Blackhawks can do something similar to what the Pittsburgh Penguins managed with Sidney Crosby, then this team has the brightest future of any non-playoff team in 2023-24. 

Blackhawks need another outstanding offseason to take a few steps forward

The Blackhawks aren’t a good hockey team, but one look at their lineup shows us that it’s full of primarily cast-offs sans a few seasoned veterans and either pending unrestricted free agents or RFAs who will be looking to earn an extension in 2024-25. We will see which RFAs stick around and how their presence will impact the Blackhawks next season, but deciding on who stays and who goes will play a role in shaping this ever-important summer. 

But if general manager Kyle Davidson wants the next few months to be a resounding success, making decisions on pending RFAs is also just a small piece to the puzzle. With another high pick in the upcoming draft and free agency on the horizon, there are plenty of decisions for Davidson to make that will leave a lasting impact on how Chicago’s 2024-25 campaign unravels. 

If he wants the team to ultimately build on the first layers of the foundation that was laid this season, there is a checklist of items Davidson must tackle. Let’s explore all three of them in detail, starting with the upcoming draft.