The 2019-20 Chicago Blackhawks finished in last place in the Central Division, but thanks to the NHL's expanded, 24-team postseason tournament in 2020, they got to play some hockey in the bubble. And they didn't just play, they upset the No. 5-seeded Edmonton Oilers in the qualification round, in one of the biggest shocks in recent postseason memory.
The offseason has not gotten off to a great start, as three critical players are out indefinitely, and the team seems to be in need of a significant retooling to get back to Stanley Cup contention.
What should fans expect out of the Blackhawks in the 2020-21 season? Here's what to know ahead of opening night:
Big question: Just how bad are the Blackhawks going to be?
GM Stan Bowman finally admitted the obvious this offseason: Chicago is in a rebuild. And the process may not be that pretty.
The Blackhawks didn't re-sign Corey Crawford, instead turning to an unproven trio of youngsters in net. They traded Brandon Saad (21 goals last season), are without two of their top young forwards in Kirby Dach (wrist surgery) and Alex Nylander (knee surgery) for most of the season, and captain Jonathan Toews (60 points last season) isn't reporting to camp as he tries to get to the bottom of a medical mystery. It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Did realignment hurt or help?
Since the Blackhawks aren't likely to make the playoffs this season, it doesn't matter what division they found themselves in. Realignment did reunite the Blackhawks with the Detroit Red Wings -- although the historic rivals are expected to be two of the worst teams in the league. Bummer.
Offseason comings and goings, plus the cap situation
The Blackhawks have $4,213,687 in projected cap space, according to Cap Friendly. Chicago parted with netminder Corey Crawford, along with forwards Brandon Saad and Drake Caggiula, and defenseman Slater Koekkoek. The Blackhawks brought in blueliner Nikita Zadorov and these forwards who will help with depth: Mattias Janmark, Carl Soderberg, Lucas Wallmark and Pius Suter.
Bold prediction
Jeremy Colliton gets an extension early in the season. Maybe this isn't so bold since Bowman hinted to that being the plan in October. Colliton didn't enter Chicago under the most ideal circumstances -- an unknown, rookie NHL head coach who had to succeed the legendary Joel Quenneville -- but the Blackhawks think he's the right coach to usher them through the rebuild and help develop players. Fans might not necessarily agree with that notion.
Breakout candidate: Pius Suter
He's the reigning Swiss League MVP, and signed with Chicago this offseason in large part due to their track record of scouting and signing European gems (the most glitter example is Artemi Panarin, but also see: Dominik Kubalik, Erik Gustafsson, David Kampf, Dominik Kahun, Michal Kempny and Jan Rutta). Suter should immediately get a top-six opportunity, which is what helped catapult Kubalik into a 30-goal rookie campaign.
Biggest strength: Patrick Kane
The Blackhawks will struggle next season, but Kane won't. He's 32, and has shown very little signs of aging. The winger can totally take over a game, shoulder insane minutes (he averaged more than all but one Blackhawks defenseman, Duncan Keith, last season) and dazzle with his vision and stickwork. In other words, Kane might single-handedly make the Blackhawks watchable.
Biggest weakness: Goaltending
The blue line isn't great either, which is going to make things harder on the trio of Collin Delia (18 games of NHL experience), Malcolm Subban (66) and Kevin Laikanen (0). Though the Blackhawks are hoping one goaltender capitalizes on the opportunity and emerges as the starter of the future, it's hard to get excited about the least heralded trio in the league.
Blackhawks in NHL Rank
No. 15: Patrick Kane, RW
No. 84: Jonathan Toews, C
Prospect perspective
Pipeline ranking: 22
Prospects in the top 100: No. 53 Lukas Reichel (LW), No. 75 Ian Mitchell (D)
Fantasy facts to know
A youth movement is underway in Chicago -- personified by projected top-six forwards Alex DeBrincat, Dominik Kubalik and Kirby Dach -- as management looks to the not-too-distant future. While Kubalik hopes to build upon his impressive rookie campaign in which he notched 30 goals and 16 assists in 68 games, DeBrincat plans to bounce back from a disappointing 2019-20 after potting 41 goals the previous season. Unfortunately, a wrist injury will knock Dach out for most (if not all) of the season. The other two are worthy of fantasy consideration in later rounds, particularly whoever lines up with Patrick Kane.
Young defenseman Adam Boqvist and Ian Mitchell are ones to watch while veteran Duncan Keith remains a reliable fantasy asset, particularly in leagues that reward blocked shots. Boqvist merits immediate investment as Keith's eventual projected replacement on the Blackhawks' top power play, while Mitchell is likely a year or two away from fantasy relevance. -- Victoria Matiash