And that’s a wrap.

The Blackhawks fell in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night, bringing a relieving end to a dismal 2022-23 campaign. The loss was a crucial one, as it earned Chicago a point in the standings, taking them from what would have been the second-highest odds of earning the #1 pick to the third, behind the Ducks and the Blue Jackets. With a high draft pick on its way, along with a young, exciting roster, it can be tempting to look toward next season as soon as the final horn sounds on this one. However, the Hawks’ season wasn’t completely lost, and it’s important to recognize some of the steps they took this year to get back into contention.

Hot Start

The Blackhawks team we see today wasn’t exactly the one we saw in October. Throughout the first month of the season, the team was right in the thick of things in a surprisingly hot start. Then they hit a wall. Losing 21 of 23 games, Chicago found themselves with only eight wins heading into 2023.

Trade Deadline

The team showed brief signs of life but was still floundering at the bottom of the standings when the trade deadline came around. By then, it was no secret that the Blackhawks were in a complete rebuild, and they tore it down. Big names started to leave town. Max Domi, Dylan Wells, Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, and Jack Johnson were all among those who were told to pack their bags. Finally, news broke that Patrick Kane was being shipped off to New York. The forward that played a huge role in bringing three Stanley Cups to Chicago in the early 2010s was history, signaling a completely fresh start.

The “Battle For Bedard”

From there, it was a race for the finish line while attempting to stay out of the win column as much as possible, in a draft lottery push we dubbed the “battle for Bedard”. They did so remarkably well, posting one of the worst final records the club has seen in decades. Frustratingly for fans of 17-year-old Connor Bedard, the team lowered their own chances of landing him, gaining five points in the standings in the month of April. Fans rooting for the tank were doubly disappointed at the end of the season when news broke that captain Jonathan Toews would not be returning to the Blackhawks next year. The decision signals the end of an era in Chicago, as he was the last man standing from their championship teams and their longest-tenured captain.

Draft Lottery Odds

Luckily for Blackhawks fans, the end of a season signals a chance at a fresh start. Chicago is well positioned for a “return to glory”, and it starts with the draft lottery. Set to take place on May 8th, the lottery may very well decide which team will be a future powerhouse. Bedard, set to be taken with the first pick, has the unquestionable ability to transform a franchise, and he’s expected to be dominant for at least a decade. The Hawks have a great chance of landing him, as their current odds of securing the number one pick are 11.5%, the third-highest. They’re guaranteed to make a selection in the top five, with #4 being their highest probability at 40%.

Young Talent

With the transition from aging stars to young talent, the Blackhawks will look to their prospects to make an immediate impact next season. Young stars like Lukas Reichel and Wyatt Kaiser have already begun to make their presence felt at the NHL level. If the prospect pool, which ranks as one of the top groups in the league, can properly develop and gel as a group, the Blackhawks could be back in contention sooner rather than later.

In a season like the 2022-23 Blackhawks, sometimes it’s difficult to find bright spots. While Chicago lost some serious star power at the trade deadline, it led to the opportunity to flood their starting lines with young prospects, giving them the opportunity to both get valuable reps and prove themselves to Luke Richardson and his coaching staff. The foundation is set for this team to be a future contender, and it will only improve in the NHL Draft, where they will have an opportunity to add to their ranks with one of the top prospects in the league. Blackhawks fans won’t be able to cheer their team on in the playoffs this year, but that day may come sooner than expected.