21 Blackhawks Questions After 21 Games (Part 1)

The Chicago Blackhawks have half as many wins as losses to finish out the first quarter of the season. At 7-14, it’s somewhat of how people imagined things going. At the same time, that familiar rebuild lull is kicking in as the inconsistency continues on following Chicago’s 5-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

With 21 games in the book, we’ll answer 10 of the 21 questions and save the other 11 for Saturday.

A Hat Trick of Connor Bedard Questions

1. Is Bedard as good as advertised?
2. Will he continue at the pace he’s at?
3. Should anyone be worried that he’s busting his sticks and punching the boards as frustration mounts?

Yes, Bedard is as good as advertised, and I still think he could surpass the pace he’s at right now. Through 21 games, Bedard has 18 points (10-8) and has been stuck at those ten goals, last scoring on November 22 against Columbus–right before all hell broke loose for the Blackhawks

If we go back to the Auston Matthews comparison I wrote about back in October, Matthews had 16 points (8-8) after 20 games. Want to add that other game for consistency’s sake? 17 points with nine goals. So, on a team that was better than anything Bedard is used to, Matthews was a point and a goal behind Bedard’s pace.

So I will double down here and say, yes, not only will Bedard keep up the pace but I believe he’ll exceed it. As for the worry about his frustration levels, nah. To be honest, don’t you want the generational talent to be engaged and be angry about losing?

A Crosby comparison will be coming soon, too. It might actually be the more apt measuring stick.

What About The Other Young Players?

4. How has Kevin Korchinski looked?

Korchinski has certainly had his fair share of hiccups lately–specifically the game against Seattle where he ended up being bumped from the top power play line. But looking at the entire body of work–he’s been pretty damned good for a 19-year-old. I stand by my Duncan Keith comparison when I argued that Korchinski should be in the October lineup way back in August. He’s only going to get better and he’s smart enough to learn from his mistakes and adjust.

5. Should Wyatt Kaiser go back to Rockford to figure things out?

As for Kaiser, he doesn’t look totally lost. He looks like a young defenseman figuring things out. But that highlight reel goal from Robby Fabbri that came at his expense will stick in people’s minds because he was made to look silly. But one of those isn’t enough to condemn his game. Now, if a pattern emerges, then for sure all options need to be examined.

6. Will Isaak Phillips stick for some more time?

Phillips has been good in his time up, and what’s really caught my attention is his willingness to jump up into the play. A couple times he’s been knocked on his rear end, but he’s popped right back up and gone for it again. The Hawks have their more careful defensemen who stay more at home, but Phillips has been responsible in his own zone while being aggressive in a Korchinski-like manner.

7. Can Alex Vlasic continue to be as smooth as he’s been?

Vlasic has been steady of the defensemen outside of Korchinski, just very responsible on the ice and looking far more mature than his young age. Often in the right spot at the right time, he’s also displayed some sneaky-good offensive instincts that have helped the Blackhawks, too.

Marching Forward

8. Will Lukas Reichel figure it out?

Reichel has a couple points in as many games, which includes a goal. He’s started slower than the Blackhawks would like but has most of his production in his last ten games so far. The pressure on him is more because of what he was supposed to be based on last year’s production. A reason to worry? Here’s head coach Luke Richardson on his performance last night:

“He definitely skated well tonight,” Richardson said.  “It’s a good stride in the right direction. It helps the power play and it helps himself in his own play by just getting on the board, and we’d like for him to shoot that puck even more and getting a chance.”

9. What about Philipp Kurashev–will he really keep up this pace?

He’s cooled a bit since his point-per-game pace and still has 12 (4-8) in 15 games so far this season. Placing him on the Bedard line was one that has worked well and will likely see a rotating left wing at times, be it Bedard, Foligno, or Beauvillier if that works. While Richardson doesn’t always employ the line blender as much as some fans would like, he’s pushed the right buttons when he’s needed to–Kurashev is an example of that.

10. Should Joey Anderson be up with the Blackhawks for a lengthier time?

Yes. He’s been a sparkplug for the team and the pass he had on MacKenzie Entwistle’s goal the other night is one of those moments that pays off for the “grind it out” players. Anderson was terrific in Rockford and his numbers more than determined the need to bring him up to the big club. As players get healthy (Andreas Athanasiou) or get their visa issues sorted out (Beauvillier), Anderson’s impact where he’s placed in the lineup should keep him in there for a bit longer.