Breaking down who is easily the Chicago Blackhawks MVP of the season

Alex DeBrincat was drafted 39th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft and was passed over by many teams in the draft due to his size, despite tearing it up with Erie Otters and playing with the face of the NHL Connor McDavid. Since making his debut in the 2017-2018 season, DeBrincat has proven the scouts wrong.

Going into the 2021-2022 season, DeBrincat was expected to improve off of his successful 56 point 2021 shortened season, where he was over a point per game player. DeBrincat currently leads the Blackhawks in the goal scoring department with 23 on the season. He has been relied on in key situations, especially on the power play, where 9 of his 23 goals have been registered.

DeBrincat is currently 3rd in the NHL in goals, tied with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and currently trails Capitals great Alexander Ovechkin and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl. He is currently on track to get at least 40 goals on the season, which no one else on the Hawks will come close to this season.

The MVP for the Chicago Blackhawks is easily Alex DeBrincat

DeBrincat also has the highest shot percentage on the team, where he has 20.4% with the 113 shots that have been credited to him on the season. He has been key to getting the Hawks back in the lead when the team trails. Despite the Hawks being out of contention and 10 points back from a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, DeBrincat deserves the credit in an offensive lacking team.

Despite his impressive performance this season, DeBrincat is third in goal scoring since Jan. 1, 2021, with 54, trailing only Auston Matthews and Leon Draisaitl and ahead of former #1 overall picks and stars of the game Alexander Ovechkin and Connor McDavid. That is an elite honor to compete with some of the best in the game, as he is flying under the radar and not getting respect for it.

DeBrincat just earned his first trip to the NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas, which he 100% deserved. DeBrincat will be the lone representative for the Blackhawks in the All-Star game. The NHL All-Star game. This will be the first time the Blackhawks won't be represented by either Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook at the All-Star game since 2008.

The Blackhawks are a rebuilding team with tons of young talent on the rise with the likes Lukas Reichel and Kirby Dach taking over the reins of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane within the coming years. Drafting DeBrincat in 2016 was a steal and having him around for the long term is a must. Hopefully, the Blackhawks will lock down DeBrincat for a longer-term deal and build a balanced winning culture around him.