There are three key dates and a lot to do this offseason for the Chicago Blackhawks and general manager Kyle Davidson. It could technically start at any time if Davidson wants to extend UFAs and RFAs, even players with one year left on their deals. The first key date is June 27 when the NHL Awards ceremony takes place in Las Vegas before the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. BEDARD IS THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Sensation Connor Bedard is a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year. As the first prediction, I think he will win. It's seemingly a two-man race between Bedard and Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber. New Jersey D-man Luke Hughes is the third finalist. Connor Bedard's final thoughts (none, officially) on the Calder Trophy race... and his season. Bedard's rookie season shows the type of player he can become in the league. It was more impressive than any recent first overall pick and the 18-year-old led the Blackhawks offensively despite their second-to-last place finish in the standings. With 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, Bedard also led NHL rookies in both categories. BLACKHAWKS MASTERFULLY LOAD UP ON MORE TALENT AT DRAFT Next up after that is the draft on June 28 and 29. The Blackhawks have two first-round picks, three second-round picks, two third-round picks, a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick. Some previous trades are set to pay off as Chicago received four of these picks from from deals in 2022 and another from 2023. The Blackhawks didn't win the draft lottery this season, but do own the second overall pick, which Davidson is happy to have. See video. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson is happy with No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Chicago will get a "foundational piece." The Blackhawks are going to select a very good player and my prediction is that it is a forward. Chicago's defensive prospects are very good right now and the team is set for a while with the likes of Kevin Korchinski, Alex Vlasic, Ethan Del Mastro, Wyatt Kaiser, Nolan Allan, Isaak Phillips, Louis Crevier and Sam Rinzel. This isn't to say that a defenseman won't be drafted with one of the seven picks in the first three rounds. It is more likely one is in the right spot in the second round with the three selections available. Thus, I think the second first-round pick (20th overall) the Blackhawks have this year also will be used on a forward. The 2020, 2021, top of the 2022, and 2023 drafts have all been strong for the Blackhawks and there's a great opportunity to continue to build the already top prospect pool in Chicago. BRING IN A COUPLE SPECIFIC UFAS The Blackhawks won't be expected to win next season, but they need to improve. To do that, they need to make some changes. The team's current UFAs include Tyler Johnson, Colin Blackwell, Nikita Zaitsev, Jarred Tinordi and Jaycob Megna. Blackwell is the only one with any chance of returning, so some holes need to be filled. All of the holes can't be filled by prospects either. Ideally, any UFA brought in will be on a shorter-term deal maxing out at three years. This doesn't take up a spot on the roster for too long and eat up cap space. It also fits the plan of infusing as much youth as possible and building around that. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says team will take best player available on board in 2024 NHL Draft because Chicago has depth among defenseman and forward prospects. Even though Taylor Hall will be healthy to start the season, the Blackhawks still need some more forward skill around Bedard. There wasn't enough this season and Bedard carried a big load on his shoulders. Someone like Nick Foligno, but a little younger and with more skill, would be a great option. As for defense, the Blackhawks are probably going to let all three hit free agency. There are many young D-men coming in who could hold a spot on the roster, but bringing in one reliable depth veteran defenseman wouldn't do any harm. Worse case scenario he can serve as the seventh defenseman or even play in the minors until needed. A veteran presence can't be overlooked and there's never too many with different experiences. EXTENSIONS AND TOUGH DECISIONS MADE ON RFAS The Blackhawks have a number of RFAs to deal with, but have more time to manage them than the UFAs. Philipp Kurashev may seem like the least pressing contract extension to get done, but if he has another season like he did alongside an improved Bedard for a full season, his numbers are going to rise even more. Davidson waited until an arbitration decision to sign him to his current two-year deal last summer. I don't think he will wait again and get Kurashev signed for 5+ years at a good price. There are four RFAs the Blackhawks may want to sign to have back in the organization next season. These players include Joey Anderson, MacKenzie Entwistle, Crevier and Phillips. Anderson had a surprisingly great season in his shutdown role and deserves a larger contract for at least two years. Entwistle did alright as the fourth-line center. He is still young and there's potential there, so it's worth giving him another shot where he played in the lineup this season. As for defensemen Crevier and Phillips, both are coming off of their entry-level deals, played NHL games already after being picked in the fifth round or later in 2020, and deserve more time to show the Blackhawks what they have. Now we get into some of the tougher decisions. There is limited room in the NHL, especially with players like Frank Nazar and Landon Slaggert now out of the NCAA and competing for time. Some of the fringe NHLers or players who struggled might just be moved on from. Four key names here include Taylor Raddysh, Reese Johnson, Cole Guttman, and Filip Roos. I see just one, maybe two of Raddysh, Guttman, or Johnson getting a contract. Johnson will be the easiest to let walk. The 25-year-old had two goals and five points in 42 games. There are better options to fill a potential depth spot on the Blackhawks. Guttman is also 25 years old, but spent over half of the season in the AHL. He puts up big numbers there and has another year left before he is eligible for waivers. It makes sense to give him a one-year deal, even if he splits time between the NHL and AHL again. Raddysh is a more interesting case. He had a breakout 20-goal season in 2022-23 and then fell off completely last year to the point where he was a healthy scratch at times. He's 26 years old and the Blackhawks didn't qualify better players like Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik when the team was changing directions, so it they may not expend any more effort on Raddysh. Roos is caught in a crowded defensive logjam where all of the eight defenseman mentioned earlier are ahead of him. Unless he's kept as an AHLer he may not be qualified either. The Blackhawks are going to look different in a good way after this offseason is over. RECENT BLACKHAWKS NEWS Connor Bedard Off Scoresheet For First Time At IIHF World Championship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/connor-bedard-off-scoresheet-for-first-time-at-iihf-world-championship] How Much Better Was Connor Bedard In His Rookie Season Than The Previous Five First Overall Picks? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/how-much-better-was-connor-bedard-in-his-rookie-season-than-the-previous-five-first-overall-picks] Lukas Reichel Gets A New Contract... And A Message From Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/lukas-reichel-gets-a-new-contract-and-a-message-from-blackhawks] More Than Connor Bedard: Blackhawks' 2023 Draft Has Potential to Become Best in Franchise History [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/more-than-connor-bedard-blackhawks-2023-draft-has-potential-to-become-best-in-franchise-history]
