What should the expectations be for the 2024-25 Blackhawks?

Kyle Davidson put in the work this offseason improving the Chicago Blackhawks. Now, in less then a month, the Blackhawks will drop the puck on the 2024-25 NHL Season. What should the expectations be on this year’s team?

Honest expectations for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2024-25 NHL Season.

The Hawks finished last season in last place in the Central Division and 31st overall with a record of 25-53-6. The Hawks registered just 52 points and finished the season with a goal differential of -111.

The Central Division still looks competitive. The team may have a hard time rising up in the division, despite there additions this offseason. To put things in perspective, last season’s -111 goal differential for Chicago was the second worst in the league, in front of just the San Jose Sharks with -150. Every playoff team from the Central finished with a positive goal differential, and the three teams in front of Chicago who didn’t make the postseason did significantly better.

St. Louis finished with -11 goal differential and were just seven points behind Nashville for the final playoff spot. The Minnesota Wild were a -12 goal differential and were 12 points out of a playoff spot. Even the Arizona Coyotes, now Utah Hockey Club, finished the season with a -18 goal differential despite missing the playoffs by 22 points.

While goal differential isn’t the best stat, the separation between the Hawks and their divisional opponents show how far behind they were last season. Now, maybe things change drastically in 2024-25, but here are some more likely expectations on the roster.

Play better in all situations.

Last season, the Blackhawks were 14-16-4 when scoring the first goal of the game. The defending Stanley Cup Champs, the Florida Panthers, were 33-4-6 when scoring the first goal of the game.

This season, with the improved roster this is a battle that fans should watch for each night. How are the Blackhawks playing in situations where they grab a lead early? Can they hold it and play good shutdown hockey under head coach Luke Richardson‘s system?

Last season the Hawks were 15-5-1 when leading after two periods. Additionally they were just 4-45-4 when trailing after two and 4-5-1 when tied. The Panthers on the other hand were 35-0-3 when leading, 4-19-1 when trailing and 13-5-2 when tied.

Holding a third period lead is important. The 2014-15 Chicago Blackhawks could do that. While en route to the Blackhawks third Stanley Cup in six seasons the Blackhawks finished the regular season a perfect 25-0-0 when leading after two periods.

The Hawks 15-5-1 record when leading after two last season wasn’t horrible, but it is situations like that worth keeping an eye on this year.

Luke Richardson has more stars to utilize.

This is a different Blackhawks roster then Richardson has had in his first two seasons in Chicago. The Hawks have gone just 49-102-13 in his first two seasons in Chicago, good enough for a .338 points percentage. Now, Richardson has a roster that could compete.

NHL coaches who help take teams through a rebuild have a habit of not being around when teams turn the corner towards contention. Can Richardson show he can coach a competitive team this season? That is a big thing to watch this year.

The goal this season should be taking a leap forward in the standings. While it might be hard to jump an opponent in the Central Division, the expectation to win 30 to 35 games and register 70 plus points could be attainable.

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