Blackhawks' four storylines to follow during middle portion of season
The 2024-25 Blackhawks season hasn't captured much attention so far, and that's not going to change.
Many fans aren't able to watch — conveniently at least — due to Chicago Sports Network's absence from Xfinity, and the team's struggles haven't motivated anyone to go out of their way to do so. Interim coach Anders Sorensen has made the games more up-tempo, but there's very little chance he manages to drag the team out of the NHL's basement.
On top of the Hawks' lack of intrigue, the middle portion of the NHL season isn't the most thrilling stretch for any team. The standings hierarchies have largely been established, but the trade deadline remains more than two months away and the playoffs longer than that.
But there are games to play. Between the holiday break — which ends Friday with the Hawks visiting the Sabres — and the two-week break in February for the new international tournament, the Hawks have 20 dates on the schedule. They're 35 games in right now; they'll be 55 games in by Feb. 8.
During the dog days of another lost season, what's really at stake? Here are four Hawks storylines worth following:
Can Hawks finally win a Winter Classic?
The Hawks will walk into Wrigley Field on New Year's Eve — surely in some coordinated, over-the-top outfit theme — winless in Winter Classics. They lost to the Red Wings in 2009, to the Capitals in 2015, to the Blues in 2017 and to the Bruins in 2019.
It would be ironic if this meager Hawks team was the one to break the streak, but it's conceivable — especially since these Blues are no juggernaut, either. When asked about the streak last week, captain Nick Foligno responded, "We're going to change that." Foligno, for the record, is 1-0 in Winter Classics, winning with the Bruins against the Penguins in 2023.
Can Hawks extend their new coach bump?
The Hawks are a respectable 4-5-0 under Sorensen so far and have demonstrated an increased ability to keep up offensively against most opponents. During five-on-five play, their 49.2% scoring-chance ratio under Sorensen ranks 19th in the league, whereas their 43.5% ratio under Luke Richardson ranked 31st.
It's common — almost expected — for teams to temporarily improve after coaching changes, though. The challenge will be maintaining this so-called "new coach bump" long enough that it's no longer a bump.
Thirteen of the Hawks' 20 games in this middle portion being in Chicago should help with that. They've been dramatically less terrible at home than on the road in recent years.
Can Hawks’ trade chips boost values?
By the time the February break rolls around, trade rumors and speculation ahead of the March 7 trade deadline will be the talk of the league. In the meantime, Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson would love for his best trade chips to play well and boost their values.
This year, Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato — two pending free agents — will probably be Davidson's most prominent chips. Hall has surged since Sorensen's arrival, while Donato is enjoying a career year (leading the Hawks with 11 goals) and has the grittiness and consistency that playoff contenders crave. Fellow pending UFAs Pat Maroon, Craig Smith and Alec Martinez could also be shopped.
Can Connor Bedard catch up to Macklin Celebrini?
Many recent talking-head comparisons between Bedard and Celebrini, the last two No. 1 picks, have been somewhat unfair to Bedard, but there's no denying the fact he's pacing behind production-wise. The Hawks sophomore has 30 points in 35 games; the Sharks rookie has 25 points in 25 games.
Can Bedard, who has 11 points in nine games under Sorensen, rally back to a full point-per-game average? Will Celebrini eventually hit a wall? They're not directly competing for any awards, but it will be interesting to follow their parallel trajectories.