Tip: Blackhawks 2024-25 Season: Will the Changes Pay Off?

After last season, there was only one way forward for the Chicago Blackhawks. General Manager Kyle Davidson stated that the team needed to take a step forward, but the size of that step was uncertain. Over the summer, Davidson showed his intentions by bringing in several new players: Ilya Mikheyev from the Vancouver Canucks, as well as Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Craig Smith, Patrick Maroon, Alec Martinez, TJ Brodie, and goaltender Laurent Brossoit. In total, he added eight new players and increased the salary cap hit by nearly $30 million.

The question now is what these changes will mean for the Blackhawks. Davidson upgraded the team's top-six forwards with Bertuzzi and Teravainen, both of whom have played key roles in their previous teams. They could quickly be placed alongside Connor Bedard to strengthen the offense. Additionally, Davidson has bolstered the defense with Martinez and Brodie, providing the team with more stability and allowing younger players to develop in the AHL.

The bottom-six forwards have also seen an upgrade, with Mikheyev, Maroon, and Smith replacing some of the previous players. The goaltending position has been enhanced with Brossoit, who has been one of the best backup goaltenders in the league.

Despite these improvements, projections indicate that the Blackhawks may still rank among the weaker teams in the NHL, even though they have made progress compared to last season. It’s possible the team could exceed expectations, but it’s likely they will still face a challenging season and may need to aim for an early draft pick in 2025.