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2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals

by Ryan Cobbett - 9/23/2024

Chicago Blackhawks predictions Connor Bedard

Last season was a brutal one for the Chicago Blackhawks. Aside from Connor Bedard, there was not a lot to be excited about for Chicago fans. They won just 17 games in regulation, which ranked 31st in the league, ahead of just San Jose. They also joined the Sharks as the only teams to have a negative goal differential of over 100, as the Blackhawks finished with a differential of -111. They were also the worst road team this past year, going 7-32-2 away from home ice. Chicago finished with just 52 points and were firmly in the Central Division basement.

Chicago scored the least number of goals last season, notching just 179 goals, again joining the Sharks as the only two teams to not reach the 200-goal mark. They averaged a mere 2.17 GF/G, while their 16.6% PP% ranked 28th in the NHL and their penalty kill ranked 27th as they had a PK% of 75.8%. The Blackhawks also finished last in the league with an 8.3% S%. Connor Bedard led the team with 61 points despite playing in only 68 games. His 39 assists led the team, while he was tied for first in goals with Jason Dickinson (22). Philipp Kurashev joined Bedard as the only Chicago player to finish with more than 40 points, as the center finished with 54. Bedard and Kurashev accounted for 24% of Chicago’s offensive production last season.

In addition to being the worst scoring team in the league, Chicago allowed 3.52 GA/G, which ranked 29th in the NHL. Their .897 SV% ranked 26th in the league, and they were last in the league in shutouts with just one. Petr Mrazek appeared in 56 games last season and finished with an 18-31-4 record, allowing 3.05 GA/G on a .908 SV%. His backup, Arvid Soderblom finished 5-22-2 allowing 3.92 GA/G on a miserable .880 SV%.

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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024-25:

Chicago Blackhawks Key Additions/Losses

Chicago lost a few role pieces over the course of the offseason, including Colin Blackwell (12 points, 44 games), MacKenzie Entwistle (11 points), Tyler Johnson (31 points), Taylor Raddysh (14 points), and Jarred Tinordi (nine points).

However, their additions heavily outweigh the role pieces that departed. They acquired Ilya Mikheyev (31 points) in a deal with the Canucks this summer. They also added veteran forwards Tyler Bertuzzi (43 points) and Teuvo Teravainen (53 points). Chicago kept adding depth up front, as they also signed Pat Maroon (16 points) and Craig Smith (20 points). The Blackhawks also improved their goalie group as they signed Laurent Brossoit, who allowed just 2.00 GA/G last season in 23 games. Chicago also added veteran blueliners T.J. Brodie (26 points) and Alec Martinez (17 points).

Chicago Blackhawks X-Factors

Veteran Presence- Now that Bedard has a whole season of ice time in the NHL, he should be able to consistently improve his game and quickly become one of the best players in the league. It helps that the Blackhawks have added a ton of veteran pieces around him to not only help the youngster develop, but it also takes a lot of the attention away from him on the ice by the opposition. Kurashev, Bedard, and Teravainen form a solid top line for a Blackhawks team that struggled to score last season. Some of the other young players on this team need to develop as well. However, now Chicago has some producers on their roster, and they should be more competitive than they were a season ago.

Chicago Blackhawks Goalie Outlook

Another big X-Factor is their improved netminding duo. Peter Mrazek, though not terrible, struggled last season taking the bulk of the starts, as Arvid Soderblom was just terrible. Now that the Blackhawks have added Laurent Brossoit, Mrazek should be able to have a few more games off and keep himself sharp in less capacity. Brossoit did set a career high with 22 starts last season, but his elite numbers from a season ago (2.00 GA/G, .927 SV%) should earn him at least 30-35 starts. If that’s the case, Mrazek and the Blackhawks could see a big improvement in the crease this year.

Grade: B-

Chicago Blackhawks Key Schedule Stretch

The 2025 Season- This season carries no significance for Chicago other than the hope of significant improvement and development of their younger players. Though the Blackhawks should improve some, they will likely be in the basement of the Central Division and well out of the playoff picture. They have some solid pieces in place for the future, but they will need to invest in more talent next summer and really give Bedard the firepower to lead this team to the playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks Notable Odds

Stanley Cup Champions: +22000

Conference Winner: +11000

Division Winner: +11000

To Make the Playoffs- Yes: +750

James Norris- Seth Jones: +12000

Jack Adams Award- Luke Richardson: +3000

Chicago Blackhawks Prediction

There are no futures bets worth investing in for Chicago. They are not going to be competitive this season. Yes, they added a lot of veterans to the roster, and they should improve from their 52-point mark from last season, but they won’t reach 75 points. I like the under on this year’s point total as they finish closer to the 70-point mark. They may even ship out some of the veteran’s they added in the offseason at the deadline, making the roster worse. Chicago is getting there, but they still have a way to go before they are a playoff caliber team again.

Under 74.5 Team Total Points

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