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The Chicago Blackhawks have been eliminated from the playoffs, marking the end of a disappointing season.
With a record of 24-39-6, the Blackhawks fell short of expectations as they missed the postseason yet again. However, with the offseason ahead, the team has the opportunity to regroup and make changes to improve their chances for next season.
Things Chicago Blackhawks should do in 2023 offseason
Here are four things:
#1 Watch the ping pong balls
With the second worst record in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks will be anxiously watching the ping pong balls as the team with the second-best chance to get a generational talent in Connor Bedard.
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If the Blackhawks lose out on Bedard, they could have a fabulous consolation prize in either Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson. Each player has the projected talent to be franchise players for years to come.
#2 Improve the defense
The Blackhawks' defense was a weak point this season. The team should look to acquire a defenseman who can help stabilize their blue line and reduce scoring opportunities for opponents.
The Blackhawks sold off nearly all their D men except Seth Jones, who is good, but he needs a ton of help on a much maligned blue line.
#3 Develop young players
The Blackhawks have several young players who have shown promise, including Anders Bjork, Taylor Raddysh and Philipp Kurashev.
The team should prioritize the development of these players to build a strong foundation for the future. That could include giving them more ice time, providing opportunities for them to play in different roles and investing in their training and development.
#4 Evaluate coaching staff
The Chicago Blackhawks' coaching staff should also be evaluated to determine if changes need to be made.
Coach Luke Richardson is only in hist frist season with the Chicago Blackhawks. However, if the Blackhawks are going into a full multi-year rebuild, now is the time to evaluate whether Richardson is the right coach to guide the team. When Richardson was hired, the Hawks still had much of their core intact, but after multiple trades, Richardson could be a dead man walking.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of work to do in the NHL 2023 offseason to improve their chances of making the playoffs next season.
The aforementioned points should be the top priorities for the team. With the right moves, the Blackhawks could turn their fortunes around and compete at a high level once again.
