Blackhawks Q&A Focuses On Nazar, Athanasiou, and Win Totals

Ah August–the dead period of hockey and scourge of fans everywhere. So why not have a little Blackhawks question-answer session after an Offseason that featured a thorough draft and busy first day of free agency.

Here are three questions–with some answers–as the off-season continues on.

Do Any Rookies Have a Chance of Breaking Camp With the Blackhawks?

The million dollar question. Frank Nazar seems to be the front runner for this question and in a line combination piece coming tomorrow we’ll look at his closer. But Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson made it clear that not only will they do what’s best for their young players’ development, but what will help the team in the current and long term.

“I don’t see anyone being blocked, especially to the point of development being hindered here,” Davidson said. “If players are ready, especially young players are ready and they’re ready to come in and elevate the group, more so than a player who’s in a spot, then we’ll make the decision on how to best find a role for them and find that. But what we couldn’t do is what I believe happened a little last year, where we had spots for young players, and then maybe they’re ready, maybe they were not quite thriving, you can’t fix that in September.”

Artyom Levshunov intrigues but unless he dominates in his ice time, the likely pairing is with Ethan Del Mastro in Rockford in what is forming to be one of the better teams in the AHL.

Where Will a Guy Like Andreas Athanasiou Slot In for the Blackhawks?

It’s jammed up that’s for sure, which lending to the previous question, there certainly seems to be a more stable rotation of players that won’t rely on a shuttle service from Rockford. The top two lines seems pretty set but the bottom six could work in a number of ways. Maybe a platoon situation with Craig Smith and Pat Maroon but where do things go with the likes of Andreas Athanasiou? Will he go to center or will he exclusively on the wing? Could he be shuffling in a top nine role or is definitely a top six guy? Athanasiou is an interesting case because he’s on the final year of a contract after a limited 2023-24 campaign due to injury. A terrific 2024-25 season could make him expendable at the trade deadline if the Hawks don’t intend to bring him back next season. The speed and scoring combo Athanasiou boasts could be an asset both in the season–and at the deadline–if it goes to plan.

Which brings us to the last question.

What Do Reasonable Gains Look Like for the Blackhawks?

Watching baseball this year has reminded Chicago fans that rebuilds take different forms, and God help you all, don’t mean that things will even work out. So instead of timelining the whole thing, it’s more about measurable gains that set things up for long term growth. The biggest thing that needs to happen is that the Blackhawks see a jump in the win column to the tune of at least seven more wins. While wins and losses aren’t necessarily the biggest measure here of success, it’s more about building a culture that knows how to gut those wins out and doesn’t get lost in the flow of a season. Not one winning streak last season went beyond two games which was expected with that roster. There’s already a measurable improvement on the roster–but the rest of the division improved, too.

Best case sees a surge, but for there to be some momentum heading into what will be Connor Bedard’s final season of his entry-level deal, the win total should turn to 30–and beyond if they can find a groove.

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