Connor McDavid's 2024 Playoff Points Would Rank 3rd on Blackhawks 2023-24
McDavid's postseason numbers compared to the Blackhawks during the regular season shows what needs to be improved.
Connor McDavid's 2024 Playoff Points Would Rank 3rd on Blackhawks 2023-24Connor McDavid's points in 23 playoff games would rank third among the Chicago Blackhawks skaters for the full 2023-24 regular season. While that's very impressive for the best player in the world, it also highlights how much the Blackhawks offense and depth have to improve for next season.
McDavid already has 42 points in the Edmonton Oilers' run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final and there's still Game 6 and potentially Game 7 to go. He is coming off of back-to-back four-point games, an NHL record.
McDavid's postseason points are higher than the regular-season numbers of only two Blackhawks — Connor Bedard (61) and Philipp Kurashev (54).
Blackhawks' Offense Needs to Be Improved
What to really take from this, other than what a generational talent in McDavid can do, is the need to make some changes in Chicago. The Blackhawks won't likely compete for the Stanley Cup next season, but improvements are a must with Bedard on the team and leading the charge.
One of the problems last season was that the Blackhawks were riddled by injures. Only one of the top six scorers on the team played more than 75 games.
Bedard, the most important of the players to miss time, was out of action for 14 games with a broken jaw. Kurashev missed seven games, Nick Foligno missed eight games, and both Tyler Johnson and Seth Jones missed 15 games each. Speedy Andreas Athanasiou skated in just 28 games. On top of that, Chicago's biggest offseason addition, Taylor Hall, played only 10 games due to a right ACL injury and surgery.
Going into next season, Bedard, Hall, and the rest of the group aren't expected to miss as much time. It's unlikely Hall misses 72 games and Bedard suffers an injury from a massive hit like the one he took on Jan. 5 to keep him out of action. With full seasons projected for the top players, the offense should improve without any additions.
Now on top of that, there will be help brought in. The Blackhawks are parting with some players in free agency, so there are spots to be filled.
The Blackhawks have enough cap space to add multiple big names, but my guess is that they will stick with bringing in one big name on a long-term or short-term, then add a veteran player with some skill for a shorter length of time. This should more than cover any offense lost and really improve it.
Prospects, including forward Frank Nazar III and Lukas Reichel, should begin contributing in 2024-25. Expect smooth-skating defenseman Kevin Korchinski to add more from the blue line.
McDavid's playoff run is showing what a generational talent can do, and while Bedard is already a very good young player, it will be tough to break records in the fashion the Oilers' captain is doing. Bedard and the Blackhawks' time in the playoffs will come.
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