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

Pacific Division

The Oilers are so darn good. Not only do they have the greatest player on earth, (and possibly the second best player on earth depending upon who you ask), but they have elite scorers alongside those guys, they have depth, and goaltending. I love this team for this season and I think the sky's the limit for them.

I know... The ducks at fourth is a VERY bold prediction but that is why this is fun! My logic here is that every season there is a team that shockingly overperforms. I think with the glut of young talent that the Ducks have, it has to eventually work out for them. Why not this season? I see the ducks being a surprisingly sound team defensively and a team with the high end talent to score a lot of goals. If John Gibson can have a bounce back season, the ducks should be a good team.

There are no surprises at the bottom of this division as the Kraken are just one of those "meh" teams that is okay, not great, but okay. The Flames and Sharks are rebuilding and sadly I think both are in for rough seasons in terms of wins and points.

Central Division

It pains me to admit this... But the good for nothing Nashville Predators are going to be an absolute juggernaut this season. I hate this team with a burning passion.. and yet I love what they've built. This is a team poised to win now, and they have the horses to do it. Adding BOTH Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault is unbelievable GM work by Barry Trotz.

Add to that the fact that Nashville already had a very competent group of forwards lead by the ever underrated Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'reilly. Add to that the fact that they already had Roman Josi and they added Brady Skjei on defense. Add to that the fact that they have Juuse Saros in net.... *sigh* They are a terrific team, and one that I think will easily compete to win this division.

The Stars and Avs are still excellent so I kept them around where they were last year. However, I bumped Utah up to fourth in the division. I think this is the season that we see this team make the playoffs.

They have subtely been a solid team the past two seasons and I think they addressed a massive need by adding Sergachev from Tampa in the offseason. I expect Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther to take the next step and I see them improving drastically.

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for... I have the Chicago Blackhawks finishing sixth in the division and missing the playoffs.

I know it may seem like a bummer, but honestly, this would be a massive improvement. Remember that last season the Hawks finished with 52 points and scored the least amount of goals by any team in the league. I expect both of those things to improve substantially.

With the additions of Taylor Hall, Teavo Teravainen, and Tyler Bertuzzi, this team suddenly has a very competent NHL top 6 forwards. Add to that the fact that Bedard should be even better as a sophomore and this team could surprise some people. I still think the rebuild has a long way to go, but adding so many veterans to insulate Connor Bedard, should at the very least raise the floor on this team.

Not to mention that by adding an elite backup goalie in Laurent Broissoit, the Hawks have ensured that they will be competitive in almost every game they play this year. I love the direction that this team is going in, and I'm so excited for the future!

At the bottom of the division are two teams that just feel stuck in no man's land to me. I don't see either of these teams being bad necessarily, but I don't see them being good either. I think they both will have tough seasons which will result in serious discussions of whether it is time for a rebuild. I think personally St. Louis has been overdue for a rebuild for several years now. This season may well expose that fact.

So what do you think? Do you have the Hawks finishing higher or lower than I do? And how do you think the rest of the standings will shake out? Hockey season is almost here and I couldn't be more excited to see what happens!