Alex Vlasic’s playoff aspirations are perfectly understandable. He commented that Chicago needs to end their playoff drought after last season. He’s doubling down now, even in the wake of Connor Bedard’s injury.
It’s time. Hawks players seem to feel it. Patrick Kane returned to help this young group finally turn the corner. Vlasic led the Hawks in five-on-five and penalty kill minutes among defensemen last season. He, like the rest of the Hawks group, can afford to be better.
Vlasic told the Chicago Sun-Times this week that playoffs need to be the expectation moving forward, despite Chicago’s struggles in the early days of the Bedard era.
Alex Vlasic’s Playoff Aspirations are Unrealistic, But Necessary
Yes, Chicago is a playoff long shot. That’s not really up for dispute. They play in a brutal division. Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota all got collectively worse this offseason, at least for now. And, admittedly, Dallas has some unfinished business after punting on Jason Robertson’s contract situation. Still, even if all three were to take a step back, they’re likely all still playoff teams.
Meanwhile, Utah seems poised to ascend. They’re deep everywhere, which makes them a strong fit for a potential massive swing. St. Louis finished this season red-hot thanks to strong play from goaltender Joel Hofer. The Blues also featured hockey’s best line after the trade deadline.
Those are the first obstacles in the way of Alex Vlasic’s playoff aspirations. Second, Chicago still has to find a way to overtake Nashville and Winnipeg. Those are big gaps, as Chicago finished 14 points behind Nashville and 10 points behind Winnipeg. It’s fair to wonder if Nashville has any additional meat on the bone. Plus, they could wind up trading at least one (or more) key pieces before the trade deadline. Conversely, Winnipeg is much more enigmatic. If Connor Hellebuyck starts the season with the Jets, there’s probably a bit more meat on the bone compared to last year’s 82-point catastrophe. Still, it seems likely that Winnipeg will move Hellebuyck at some point, allowing Chicago to make up some ground.
Finally, the Hawks must overcome Connor Bedard’s early-season injury, which will cost him at least some regular-season games. And, despite every obstacle laid out, Vlasic is absolutely 100 percent right to believe it’s time for the Hawks to ascend.
‘‘If you’re scared to use that word, it isn’t a good thing. You want to be confident as a team. Up until halfway through the season last year, we were in a really good spot of potentially making the playoffs, and I think we’re a better team this year and going to take steps forward.”
Alex Vlasic’s playoff aspirations represent a sea change in Chicago. At bare minimum, fans don’t need to walk into the season without a shred of hope.
Obstacles Aside, It’s Time for Chicago
Patrick Kane returned to Chicago specifically to help the rising Hawks core. Even if the odds are long (and they are, according to FanDuel), the Hawks internally should no longer be concerned about their youth. Excuses like that can stunt a team’s growth.
Yes, rebuilds like the one Chicago undertook take a long time. But eventually, teams have to turn the corner. The Blackhawks have somehow spent five consecutive seasons with the worst expected goal generation in the NHL at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. It seems like an impossible stat. There’s some validity to it, considering expected goals most closely match up with puck possession. NHL Edge ranked Chicago 31st in the league last season in offensive zone time. Chicago’s overall chance generation, from long-range to high-danger, was as bad as one would expect: 32nd in all locations, 31st in high-danger, 25th in mid-range and 25th in long-range.
It’s time. The Hawks might not be ready to live up to Alex Vlasic’s playoff aspirations. Still, they need to at least approach each year under Connor Bedard’s new $75 million contract like they’re going for it. That’s what the Hawks fanbase deserves after four consecutive last-place finishes in the division and six consecutive sub-30-win seasons.
Teams can only be bad for so long before something much worse occurs. Connor Bedard may be signed for five seasons, but he’s a free agent at 26. The Hawks can’t risk alienating the franchise.
Alex Vlasic’s playoff aspirations are warranted. They represent the right idea and a corner turned. Time will tell if the team lives up to that on the ice.
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