KANATA, Ontario \u2014 Tuesday brought an end to a fifth consecutive season of misery for Blackhawks fans, the last three of which were somewhat self-inflicted by management with the promise of a bright future.
\nIt has been a humbling, demoralizing stretch for the fan base, regardless of the merits of that rebuilding approach within the NHL\u2019s tight-salary-cap world. Here\u2019s an eye-opening stat: The Hawks are the first franchise since the 1997-2002 Lightning to win fewer than 30 games in five consecutive seasons.
\nBut there is good news: This should mark roughly the end of that misery. The fun part of the rebuild should be coming around the corner \u2014 at least in theory.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s arguably nothing more satisfying in sports than ascending. It\u2019s like watching a coming-of-age movie play out in real life. When that dismal feeling of losing and dwelling at the bottom of the standings is still fresh and familiar, every win tastes sweeter, every breakthrough feels more inspiring and every bit of success seems more meaningful.
\nWatching a team climb the standings, exceeding and raising expectations every month and every year, spawns endless optimism. It allows fans\u2019, players\u2019 and coaches\u2019 imaginations to run wild: \u201cIf we keep improving at this rate, there\u2019s no telling what our ceiling could be!\u201d<\/p>\n
That ascension is rarely a linear process. Adversity along the way, often stemming from inexperienced mistakes, is inevitable. But overcoming that adversity only adds to the satisfaction.
\nOnce a team climbs the mountain and establishes itself as a Stanley Cup contender, victories are most plentiful but joy is not, because the expectations are so high. Senators fans, elated about their first playoff berth since 2017, have surely enjoyed their team\u2019s 44 wins this season far more than Panthers fans have enjoyed their team\u2019s 47 wins.<\/p>\n
Grizzled Hawks fans already witnessed this journey in the latter half of the 2000s. The Hawks earned 26 wins in 2005-06, 31 in 2006-07, 40 in 2007-08 (narrowly missing the playoffs), 46 in 2008-09 (advancing to the conference finals) and 52 in 2009-10 (winning the Cup). And there\u2019s a reason why that time period is remembered with such fondness.
\nThere\u2019s no guarantee this 2020s Hawks rebuild will be as efficient or triumphant as that one. But the process of finding out will unquestionably be more interesting than the last five years have been.<\/p>\n
Granted, Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson declared the first step forward would happen this season, and it didn\u2019t. That false start stirred up some understandable concerns within the fan base. But it can be blamed on the horde of placeholder veterans proving ineffective and apathetic, not on anything related to the long-term plan.
\nDuring the latter half of this season, the Hawks\u2019 new, young core began to finally arrive and acclimate to the NHL, displacing those placeholders. This is their team now, and they will have full rein come autumn \u2014 ideally with just a couple talented, prime-aged players brought in to supplement them.
\nThe Hawks\u2019 improvement, which coincided with their arrival, was encouraging, too. Increased team speed and tenacity translated into more competitive games and, eventually, some late-season wins.<\/p>\n
So how big of a star will Connor Bedard become? During the next few years, fans will finally get to find out.
\nAnd what will Frank Nazar become? How about Artyom Levshunov? Sam Rinzel? Spencer Knight? Who else will emerge from the rest of the Hawks\u2019 Olympic-sized prospect pool as notable NHL contributors?
\nWhat roles will each of them settle into? What signature moments will they create? How fast \u2014 and how high \u2014 will the Hawks ascend?
\nDiscovering all of those answers should be fun \u2014 at least in theory.<\/p>\n
The Blackhawks’ rebuild has been a long and arduous process, but the fun part should be coming soon. With a new, young core in place and a plethora of talented prospects on the horizon, the future is looking bright. While there are no guarantees, the journey of discovery and ascension is sure to be an exciting one for fans.<\/p>\n
Q: How many consecutive seasons have the Blackhawks won fewer than 30 games?
\nA: The Blackhawks are the first franchise since the 1997-2002 Lightning to win fewer than 30 games in five consecutive seasons.
\nQ: What is the expected outcome of the Blackhawks’ rebuild?
\nA: The fun part of the rebuild should be coming around the corner, with a new, young core in place and a plethora of talented prospects on the horizon.
\nQ: Who are some of the key players to watch in the Blackhawks’ rebuild?
\nA: Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Spencer Knight are some of the notable prospects to watch.
\nQ: What is the historical context of the Blackhawks’ rebuild?
\nA: The Blackhawks’ rebuild is reminiscent of their rebuild in the latter half of the 2000s, which ultimately led to a Stanley Cup win in 2010.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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