The Chicago Blackhawks project to be one of the youngest teams in the NHL with the 2024-2025 season right around the corner. Even after signing multiple veteran players in the offseason, the Hawks will still boast a lineup of top prospects. With the team boasting many young prospects who will spend time in the NHL this season, the Hawks will have alot of learning to do in the 2024-2025 season. As players enter their first or second NHL seasons, let’s review the Chicago Blackhawks youth for 2024-2025.
What to Expect From Blackhawks Youth
Connor Bedard
The first of the Chicago Blackhawks youth is the star. Bedard is the biggest name on the Chicago Blackhawks heading into the season, following his stellar rookie campaign. Bedard posted 61 points in 68 games in his rookie season with the Blackhawks. Heading into his age 19 season, the sky is the limit for Bedard. Bedard’s major problem last season didn’t even have anything to do with his own play, it was his teammates. The Blackhawks had an injury riddled and below average lineup during the 2023-2024 season. This season, the Hawks new and improved lineup will be better suited to help Bedard.
Wintering year two, the expectations for Bedard are high. Many fans are hoping that he can develop into one of the best centres in the NHL. Given the high-level talent Bedard has shown throughout his career, there’s every reason to believe he can become a star this season. Add in some more forward talent around him and the breakout potential is certainly there.
Frank Nazar
Following his time at the University of Michigan, Nazar joined the Blackhawks for the final three games of the 2023-2024 season. He dazzled in his debut with a breakaway goal against the Carolina Hurricanes. While Nazar is a projected cornerstone of the Hawks franchise, his chances of starting the season in the AHL are high. Nazar still has more developing to do, and Chicago has preached not rushing players to the NHL to early.
The Hawks shouldn’t throw Nazar into a bottom six role to start the season to give him experience. He needs to dominate in a top-six role in the AHL before returning to the NHL. Nazar will see NHL action this season but needs more development before a full-time jump.
Lukas Reichel
The next of the Chicago Blackhawks youth is a key piece. Reichel has had a rocky start to his NHL career. While Reichel has dominated in the AHL, he has never found his footing in the NHL. Reichel can still put it all together, but he is running out of chances to prove himself. After an offseason full of moves, the amount of roster spots has gotten slim. Reichel is someone who needs a big training camp come September.
Reichel is far from a bust, but he is definitely running out of opportunities to prove himself. With more and more prospects expected to make the jump this season, Reichel will be in need of a big season. Reichel is projected to be a middle six player if he makes the roster. Hopefully the arrival of Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen help Reichel’s development.
Ethan Del Mastro
Other than Artyom Levshunov, Del Mastro is Chicago’s best defenseman prospect.Del Mastro was drafted as a defensive-minded defenseman but has developed a well-rounded game. Del Mastro recorded 37 points in 69 games at the AHL level last season.
Del Mastro making the Hawks opening night roster will depend more on external factors, primarily the performance of players like Wyatt Kaiser and Isaak Phillips. Del Mastro could strengthen the Hawks’ blue line this season, but his future in the NHL is uncertain.
Landon Slaggert
Another player who made his debut toward the end of last season is Slaggert. Slaggert is a player who seemingly doesn’t have a spot on the Blackhawks roster after the signing of Pat Maroon and Craig Smith. Slaggert is a typical bottom six player who can add a scoring touch. However, he will likely begin the season in Rockford.
Slaggert is a player who could stay in the NHL and continue his development, but the Hawks are likely going to go another way. With the signings of bottom six players, it doesn’t look like Chicago wants to make Slaggert a full time NHL player just yet. In the case of an injury, Slaggert should be the first player getting called up for the Hawks.
Kevin Korchinski
Korchinski is an interesting player to cover. He struggled in his rookie year, but the Hawks had no choice but to keep him in the NHL due to NHL rules concerning junior hockey players. While Blackhawks fans debate Korchinski’s spot on the opening night roster, it’s clear he struggled last season.
It would not be surprising in Korchinski began the season in the AHL so that the Blackhawks could try and see what the have in depth defensemen in Wyatt Kaiser and Isaak Phillips. Similar to Nazar, Korchinski will be a cornerstone of the Hawks future core.
The post What We Can Expect From The Chicago Blackhawks Youngest Players this season appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.