The countdown to the 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawk’s first game and final roster spots for the season has begun. Four players on the roster should already feel the pressure to stand out over the upcoming 82-game schedule. Whether they’re returning from an injury, or their contract is in question, this season will surely bring some determination from a few key players.
What We Can Expect From The Chicago Blackhawks Youngest Players this season
The Leading 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks Roster Breakout Taylor Hall
Taylor suffered a season-ending ACL injury in a game against Buffalo early last season on November 19th. The Blackhawks are eager to add him back into the lineup this year. His place on the team, and in the league will have a lot riding on it. The expectation for him this season is similar to last season, for him to be a solid on-ice linemate for Connor Bedard. This season the stakes for that role are higher.
Bedard had a breakout rookie season without Taylor Hall for most of it. This year, Taylor will have to work twice as hard to prove he is a good piece to play alongside the star rookie. With other new pieces being acquired during free agency, Taylor Hall is also going to work against a tide of other, eager talent. Add to this, his contract is up at the end of the season. Therefore, if he wants to secure another six million plus payday with either the Blackhawks or another organization, he’ll need to excel.
So how about a prediction ahead of the 2024-25 season for his roster positioning on the Chicago Blackhawks? Remember if you will, he is a 32-year-old former first pick. He has the stuff to prove himself and to make a huge comeback after an injury. He’s had flashes of greatness in the past and there’s no reason not to expect that from him again. However, if he does have a standout run, expect to see him moved at the trade deadline.
Tyler Bertuzzi
Fresh off a new $5.5M AAV, four-year contract, there are questions and skepticism regarding the length of his contract. There’s already talk on how well it will age, and if the Blackhawks will regret the final years of it.
A quick way for Bertuzzi to ease this talk, and this pressure, is to become a fan favourite here in Chicago, Illinois. If he can use this season to get Blackhawks fans behind him, then he has nothing to worry about.
Luckily for Bertuzzi, he’s the exact kind of player Blackhawks fans love to support. He’s gritty, which will go far in the city of big shoulders. While he may not be a large point producer this season, if he plays aggressively and helps open up the ice for other players to make moves, the fans will love him.
We will end with a prediction and that is there’s an earnestness about Bertuzzi that fans will gravitate toward. While he will always attract some naysayers to his game, the more casual fan base here will be purchasing his jerseys by the time the Winter Classic comes to town.
Philipp Kurashev
Philipp had a standout season last year which most people are expecting him to have again. On a line with Connor Bedard, filling in when Taylor Hall was taken out, Philipp found excellent chemistry with the young rookie. By the end of the season, he’d played 75 games, scored 18 goals, and had 36 assists, for a total of 54 points. Not bad for his fourth year in the league.
However, having that same success this season isn’t as likely with newly acquired established players added to the roster. Last season he had little as far as competition went. The expectations were low as the Blackhawk’s primary concern was getting Connor Bedard acclimated to the NHL. But this year, with Bedard entering his sophomore campaign, the rest of the team, including Kurashev are going to need to figure out where they belong.
Plus, Kurashev’s status as an RFA at the end of the season will be looming over his head. He’ll have to perform well enough that the Blackhawks sign him to a new deal that’s favourable. Or, have the kind of season that makes himself look like a great pick-up to other teams, if the Blackhawks don’t make him an offer. For our prediction, he will have a consistent season, but take a slight downturn and score 45 to 50 points. Kurashev has a level head and seems to respond well to pressure. In the end, he’ll likely get re-signed by the Blackhawks pretty quickly come the off-season.
A Vet Among the 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks Pat Maroon Roster Breakout Potentials
This one is pretty low stakes, and no doubt, the Big Rig, will not feel a great deal of pressure. But it has to be said that this could be a defining year for his career. At 36-years-old and coming off of back surgery last winter, Pat Maroon needs to remind everyone why he’s still playing.
He adds value to whatever team he is playing for. Unfortunately for Maroon, a lot of his value doesn’t always translate onto the ice during regular season games. He’s a great veteran presence for young players, but fans don’t always get to witness that or understand that role. For Chicago to get behind him, he’s going to have to show up in big ways. Otherwise, he’ll be mired with criticism regarding his age and speed.
Luckily, age and speed don’t hold him back while battling for pucks off the boards. And his physical presence on the fourth line will wear opposing teams down. Moreover, Pat Maroon is a polarizing player. When he’s healthy, he’s fun to watch. He tends to make huge highlight reel hits. And off the ice, he’s great for candid interviews. Both of these attributes should win over the hearts of Chicagoans. That makes our prediction that much harder to say, when we say goodbye to Maroon when he gets traded to a cup contender come the trade deadline. Let’s just hope it doesn’t end up being one of the Blackhawk’s most heated rivals.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The post Four Chicago Blackhawks About to Have a Make or Break Season appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.