How to fix the Chicago Blackhawks

 The Chicago Blackhawks had just started being a good team when I began watching hockey. Lots of hype around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane being two young talented hockey stars both starting their rookie seasons at the same time. Now, to see where they're at now for me doesn't look like the Chicago Blackhawks I knew. Honestly, I believed them to just be hitting their low point now. 

I will begin saying that they have lots... of work to do. I could make it simple in a complicated way by saying trade all the players who aren't under twenty-one except Spencer Knight. Because if the cap didn't exist I think Chicago could've been an unstoppable team until as late as 2021-22 where players likely start getting traded to other contenders or retire one-by-one. Today's NHL has changed a lot as it's become somewhat cutthroat while also being harder to make. I mean, if Tyson Barrie could barely hold a spot with the Flames as he is truly a serviceable player.

Now, I am going to say the stuff that's working well for them is Spencer Knight as their goaltender, their defense for the future is on a good rise and believe Levshunov and Korchinski are going to be great blue-liners for them, and to build long term you should make sure they're not going to make things complicated salary-cap wise. 

1. I hire a new coach. I think Gerard Gallant would be the best fit considering he's a great players coach although management haven't always enjoyed working with him. But I think Gerard Gallant needs to be back in the NHL as he truly is a good coach. Another controversial opinion I have is Vegas shouldn't have fired him. Right after he brought Vegas to the finals he took the Rangers into the playoffs. But it usually seems to be a management problem, similar to Boston who keeps firing excellent coaches, and I disagree with Montgomery being let go. That being said, first order of action. 

2. I draft Michael Misa or trade up for him. I think Misa and Bedard will have some of the best chemistry in the NHL similar to two former Hawk duos: Kane and Toews; Mikita and Hull. 

3. I do believe all the veteran support is good, but what I find is those vets barely look motivated as you see Bedard is always eyeing the win rather than putting up points. What they truly need is a veteran that's competitive, wants to win, knows what it takes to help them get past the first round. Some might say that sounds exactly like Jonathan Toews, as I think he should return to Chicago to hand the torch down to Bedard properly. But I think preferably a right-wing would be ideal that can be hard-nosed similar to Tom Wilson. 

4. Keep the age group together as much as possible with a few veterans, have the team grow into contenders. Age differential is what I find is not good for this team, especially when the player everybody looks to is Bedard.

That's four key things I'd try doing. But as for Bedard, I think if he had teammates that he could rely on, he'd probably for sure get more points rather than a higher spot in the standings. Nathan MacKinnon for example, had two off-years, and in todays NHL with the goaltending being a lot more advanced he's been doing excellent. What MacKinnon and Bedard have in common is simple: both first-overall picks in the central division, centremen, and both won the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year. Bedard had more points than MacKinnon while leading the team. 










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