The Chicago Blackhawks finished 31st in the NHL in 2023-24 and are set on finishing higher in the standings next season. But up to this point, the team has been relatively quiet and hasn't started making personnel moves. The only team lower in the standings last season was the San Jose Sharks. They have been the furthest thing from quiet as we draw closer to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and free agency. The Blackhawks, with generational talent in Connor Bedard, may be under more pressure to climb next season than San Jose. The Sharks, with less going for them and a longer expected rebuild, look like they're closer to giving teams a challenge every night in 2024-25. SAN JOSE SHARKS' OFFSEASON IMPROVEMENTS Over the course of the last week, the Sharks have gone out and got Barclay Goodrow, Ty Dellandrea, Jake Walman, and Egor Afanasyev. On top of that, San Jose got a second-round pick to take on Walman's contract. All it cost the team was Ozzy Wiesblatt and a 2025 fourth-round pick that wasn't even their own. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says team needs to be prudent with UFA signings and doesn't know who will be available, despite current list. This was extremely effective asset management and all happened before the draft and free agency opened. San Jose is expected to take Boston University star forward Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall slot in the draft on Friday night. The Sharks have two first-round picks, three second-round picks, one third- and fourth-round pick, two fifth-round picks, and a seventh-round pick in 2024. For four likely roster players, it cost very little to make the team better for 2025. The Sharks also have nearly $30 million in cap space to use this summer if they so choose. They may not load up with any major free agents or acquire any big names through a trade this season, but they are one of the only teams actively getting better. So what is Chicago doing? BLACKHAWKS MOVES AND PLANS The Blackhawks have Bedard and know what he is going to offer the team. This creates some urgency to help boost the team up from 31st to somewhere at least closer to sniffing a playoff spot. A healthy Taylor Hall will make the team better, but Chicago also has nearly $33 million free. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson promises his team will be better in 2024-25. Instead of acquiring players in different ways that could make the Blackhawks better next season, Chicago has made four minor signings and two meaningful signings since their offseason started. The organizational depth pieces signed includes Brett Seney, Zach Sanford, Martin Misiak, and Cole Guttman while the Blackhawks also smartly locked up Alex Vlasic and Lukas Reichel. These moves only kept the Blackhawks right where they were. No new talent was acquired, which makes the draft and free agency very important. There are some big names linked to Chicago, unlike San Jose, so this could still be a huge offseason success when it's all said and done. We don't have to wait long and find out. RECENT BLACKHAWKS NEWS Former Blackhawk Great Jeremy Roenick Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/former-blackhawk-great-jeremy-roenick-elected-to-hockey-hall-of-fame] Revisiting 2023 NHL Draft: Bedard Pulls on Blackhawks Jersey, Chicago Fans Roar [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/revisiting-2023-nhl-draft-bedard-pulls-on-blackhawks-jersey-chicago-fans-roar] With Calder Win, Connor Bedard Set To Join Distinguished Blackhawks Top Rookie Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/with-calder-win-connor-bedard-set-to-join-distinguished-blackhawks-top-rookie-club] Former Blackhawks Forward Perry Loses 4th Consecutive Stanley Cup Final Appearance [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/former-blackhawks-perry-loses-4th-consecutive-stanley-cup-final-appearance]
