2023 brought both highs and lows for the Chicago Blackhawks.
We’ll first address the challenging aspects. The team experienced significant struggles and currently ranks among the NHL’s weakest. This outcome was intentional, part of a strategic decision to rebuild the team from the ground up. Fortunately, the process of dismantling the roster has been completed, marking the end of a challenging phase.
Now begins the daunting task of reconstruction, a process that will extend beyond a single year. It’s likely to take two or three additional offseasons before the Chicago Blackhawks are prepared to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Despite the overall challenges, there were positive moments in 2023. Here are five noteworthy highlights from the year, presented in chronological order:
Patrick Kane’s Farewell Performance: In his final game with the team, Kane orchestrated a memorable comeback with two goals, rallying the Blackhawks to victory against the Dallas Stars. Before departing for a trade requested before the deadline, Kane showcased his legendary skills in a remarkable performance.
Max Domi’s Impact: During the game against the Stars, Kane and Seth Jones set up Max Domi for the team’s first goal. Domi reciprocated later in the second period, assisting Kane in scoring his first goal of the game. Kane eventually tied the score at three, securing a victory. This game was a fitting farewell for the greatest Chicago Blackhawk ever.
Trade and Transition: Kane was traded to the New York Rangers a few days later, signaling the closure of a significant chapter. While it would have been ideal for Kane to stay, the decision marked a necessary transition for both the player and the team.”
Jonathan Toews scores a goal in his farewell match with the Chicago Blackhawks.
In his final game with the team, Toews, the captain of three Stanley Cup-winning squads, left an indelible mark by scoring a power-play goal in the second period. Toews played a pivotal role in the Blackhawks’ success, notably serving as the captain during their first Stanley Cup victory in 49 years in 2010. Widely regarded as the team’s greatest captain, he stands among the Blackhawks’ all-time greats, with a legacy comparable to Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.
Similar to Kane, Toews reached a point where it was time to part ways. Challenges such as injuries and a decline in performance necessitated this decision. Toews faced health issues related to long-COᴠID, causing him to miss the entire 2020-21 season and a significant portion of the 2022-23 season.
The Blackhawks had announced earlier that they would not bring Toews back for the following season, as he was set for free agency. Making a triumphant return for the last game of the season, held at the United Center, Toews provided fans with one more memorable moment by finding the net.
As Toews takes the current season off, the decision on whether he will return to the NHL or officially retire гemɑins pending.
The Chicago Blackhawks secured victory in the NHL Draft Lottery, earning the privilege to select Connor Bedard as the No. 1 overall pick. The strategic tanking efforts paid off, and Bedard has proven to be everything he was touted to be.
Drafting Bedard is monumental for the Blackhawks as it provides them with a bona fide superstar to anchor the foundation of their next great team. The team also had a successful 2023 draft, selecting Oliver Moore with another first-round pick—a skilled speedster who could potentially form a dynamic scoring duo with Bedard in the future. Additionally, goalie Adam Gajan, taken in the second round, showcased exceptional skills during the World Juniors.
May 8, 2023, the day the Blackhawks won the lottery, and June 23, 2023, when they officially drafted Bedard, are now engraved as the two most significant dates in team history.
Connor Bedard quickly made an impact in his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins, facing off against his hero Sidney Crosby. The game, hyped up by ESPN, drew widespread attention, showcasing Bedard’s potential to be a generational talent that could elevate the popularity of the sport. In that debut, he notched his first point with an assist in a 4-2 victory, and the following day, he scored his inaugural NHL goal against the Boston Bruins.
One standout moment was Bedard’s extraordinary goal against the St. Louis Blues, often referred to as a Michigan goal or lacrosse goal—an achievement even acknowledged by Wayne Gretzky as something he could never do. This remarkable goal has earned a permanent place in Bedard’s highlight reel, with hopes for many more outstanding performances in 2024 and beyond.