Motivation To Watch The Blackhawks This Season

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Jared
July 14, 2022 (0:44)

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This upcoming season will not be easy on anyone. Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach have been traded, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik will be walking into free agency looking for a new home, and what is left of the core are on the last year of their contracts. With the near future looking bleak, there are numerous reasons why many fans will not be taking a trip to the United Center or tuning in to watch the Blackhawks on NBC Chicago this season. Many of you are frustrated, and reasonably so, but I am going to give you three reasons why you shouldn't throw that Hawks jersey in the back of your closet just yet.

1: New head coach Luke Richardson

The Blackhawks officially hired new head coach Luke Richardson on June 27th, and praise from former players and the Montreal Canadians soon flooded many of our Twitter timelines. Richardson, who played 21 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman, is known for getting the most out of his players. As a former defenseman, Richardson should bring a fresh defensive system to the fold. Time is the best measuring stick to determine if the Blackhawks made the right choice, but all early indicators are pointing to Richardson being a fantastic hire. You can check out the statement from the Montreal Canadians for Richardson's hire below.

2: The horde of young defenseman

One thing that I will praise Stan Bowman for is stockpiling young defenseman with high upside. (Yes I know about the Boqvist trade, but hear me out). The Blackhawks have Ian Mitchell, Alec Regula, Alex Vlasic, Isaak Phillips, and long-lost Nicolas Beaudin in Rockford waiting for an opportunity to play in Chicago. Mitchell and Beaudin are due for another look in Chicago and may crack the opening night lineup. Phillips, Vlasic, and Regula are also figured to play at least a few stints in Chicago this season but may not find extended stays for development reasons. The Hawks aren't going to be competing, so there is no need to rush their development. With Richardson hopefully bringing in a revamped defensive system, these young defensemen should be able to adjust rather quickly and will undoubtedly develop a little easier now as compared to what Colliton was running. I know that more often than not, prospects do not live up to the hype, but there is too much upside and skill in this group to not be excited.

3: Watching Patrick Kane chase down the Blackhawks scoring record

According to Hockey Reference, Patrick Kane is 287 points away from tying Stan Mikita on the Blackhawks all-time points list. Everyone seems to have their own opinions on what Patrick Kane should do and what the Hawks should do with Kaner, but the one thing that we know for sure is that he is currently a Chicago Blackhawk. If he is here, we need to enjoy him. Superstars don't come around often, especially ones who continue to close in on records seemingly on a weekly basis. We have the chance to watch one of the best in the game chase down one of the greatest Blackhawks ever, further cementing his legacy here in Chicago. Building on that, we need Kane as a mentor for the young kids. Kaner plays the game the right way and has the rings to back up his confidence.

I truly hope that I just gave everyone who reads this a little motivation to watch the Blackhawks this upcoming season. I am a glass half full type of person, and I was very defeated on draft day as I watched another great player pack his bags. But I'll tell you what. The sun rose the next day and the Blackhawks were able to draft 3 quality players in the 1st round, which will help reload the prospect pipeline. This is going to be a painful period of Blackhawks hockey, but now is the perfect opportunity watch this team start fresh and grow back into a contending hockey team right before your eyes.