What To Watch For As Blackhawks Return To Action Following 4-Nations Face-Off
Team Canada did what they do best. They found a way to win a hockey game against an equal opponent in Team USA. It was a hard-fought game by both teams that found its way into overtime.
Connor McDavid scored for Team Canada in OT to give their nation another best-on-best victory. They are the champions of the first-ever Four-Nations Face-Off.
This tournament was new and nobody knew what to expect coming in but it exceeded all expectations. The only Blackhawks player who participated was Teuvo Teravainen as he went with Team Finland. They were eliminated during Round-Robin play.
Now, with a couple of practices already under their belt this week, the Blackhawks are getting close to resuming their season. There is a lot to work on in the final 27 games of the season. These are the stories to look out for as they return to action:
Connor Bedard’s Finish to his sophomore season
Connor Bedard entered the 4-Nations Face-Off break playing much better than he was early in the season. He currently has 16 goals and 49 points in 55 games played this year but 11 of those goals and 30 of those points have come in the 29 games since the coaching change.
How will he play down the stretch? The points will likely continue to rack up but it’s the other areas of the game that he must work on to take that step into elite status.
Bedard’s abilities offensively are already great and are only going to get better as he gets stronger, faster, and smarter. However, being hard on the back-check, forecheck, and defending are skills that he is still working on.
Seeing how he ends the season in Chicago is important for the team. He is going to need a new contract soon and their overall evaluation of him will be a key to the negotiations. Is he a wing or a center long-term? These final few months will help them determine a lot.
It’s also important for Bedard to go into the summer feeling strong about his game. There will likely be more help for him next year so they need to make sure he’s confident. Dominating the rest of the season would go a long way.
How Frank Nazar and other young players play down the stretch
Frank Nazar is not Connor Bedard but he’s in that next tier of young players hoping to make an impact in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. After an incredible start to his rookie AHL season, he came up to the NHL and never looked back.
Nazar is making an impact in Chicago much like Alex Vlasic, Colton Dach, Ethan Del Mastro, Louis Crevier, Landon Slaggert, and Nolan Allan amongst others have at different points.
As the Blackhawks season winds down, developing these young players is amongst the most important tasks this franchise has. It can’t all just be on Bedard. Other good talent is needed around him to win. It starts with the other young players.
What is Kyle Davidson going to do ahead of the trade deadline?
Are the Blackhawks going to be true sellers at the trade deadline this year? They probably should be even though they aren’t necessarily “tanking” anymore.
If there is a team out there willing to acquire Seth Jones, Davidson will not hesitate. He’s a good player but his need or cap hit doesn’t fit the timeline of the organization anymore. Plenty of good teams may consider a minute-munching, tough, hard-to-play-against defenseman if they can work out the money issue.
Another player with dialogue surrounding his situation right now is Ryan Donato. He has been outstanding for the Hawks this season on a personal level and they do need bodies to play in the coming years. Will they be offered a good enough return to give him up or will they try to extend him?
Outside of those two, you'd think that Kyle Davidson would let anyone on an expiring deal go for a somewhat decent return. They aren't trying to lose but they will have a high draft pick no matter how the deadline goes.
Next up:
The Blackhawks kick off their post-4-Nations Face-Off portion of the schedule with a road tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets. One day later, they will return home to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at United Center.
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