Predicting the 2024-2025 NHL Standings and where the Chicago Blackhawks might fall

The Chicago Blackhawks finished last season with a pathetic 52 points in 82 games, and in last place in the Central Division.

This season the team will hope for several things to fall into place.

For one, the team is banking on a monstrous season from Connor Bedard. While placing such high expectations on a 19-year-old in his second season is unfair, Bedard is in the class of greats like Crosby, McDavid, and Ovechkin. Therefore, he is expected to be a point-per-game player at a minimum and win games for this team.

The Hawks also hope that the depth and top end talent they added this offseason will translate to actual wins in the regular season.

They clearly believe that the team they have constructed this season is far more competitive and veteran laden than was the squad last season.

If these two bets pay off, the Hawks should see a significant bump in their win total, and thus a steady climb in the standings.

So how exactly will the standings shape up? And how will the full league look when all 84 (yep, they added two games... I forgot too. Don't sweat it) games have been played? Let's get to some bold Season Standings predictions.

Atlantic Division

The thinking here is pretty simple. If Jeremy Swayman re-signs, I think Boston will be a complete force in the Atlantic. They have depth, top end talent on offense and defense, toughness, size, great goaltending (if Swayman re-signs). What's not to love?

In the middle, the most shocking omission from the playoff picture will certainly be Tampa Bay. They have been as consistent a regular season juggernaut as can be found over the past few years but I feel shaky about them.

For one, they lost their captain and their number two defenseman this offseason. Those wounds will sting for quite some time, even with the addition of Jake Guentzel.

They are now completely dependent upon an elite (and healthy) season from an aging Victor Hedman, and an oft injured Nikita Kucherov to stay afloat in this seriously tough division. Meanwhile, young and hungry teams like Detroit and Buffalo are desperate to take the jump to the playoffs.

I think this is the season Detroit will finally break through as they've been knocking on the door the past few seasons. They added Tarasenko in the offseason and somewhat surprisingly re-signed Patrick Kane. I like their defense a lot and their depth and scoring ability is great. Their goaltending will again be their big weakness.

At the Bottom of the division I sadly must project the Senators and Canadiens. I really feel for Senators fans, as this team feels mired in the mud. I don't see how they break through, even after adding Linus Ullmark. They just feel like a mediocre team again. As for the Canadiens, God-Almighty the Patrick Laine and David Reinbacher injuries are so brutal. This team just can't seem to stay healthy and I think it will cost them another season.