NHL Quarter-Season Check-In: ‘Hawks Need to Find Footing

The Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard (98) battles with the Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard (49) and Josh Manson (42) in the first period at the United Center on Jan. 8, 2025, in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

The NHL’s 109th season is ablaze—but the Blackhawks have seemingly tripped into a dumpster fire.

A 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 21 knocked the team off their skates, sending them to the bottom half of the Central Division.

However, this is still not the worst season that the Blackhawks have seen in recent years.

Despite dropping in the standings and struggling in a few games, the team seems to be staying physical, not shying away from hits and scrums.

Connor Bedard even received an unsportsmanlike penalty in a game against the Seattle Kraken. He argued with the referee after a missed call on a hook against him, resulting in a power play for the Kraken, effectively leading to the Blackhawk’s loss.

The team is showing camaraderie, with Tyler Bertuzzi and coach Jeff Blashill standing up against a bad tripping call while playing the Colorado Avalanche (the penalty was later revoked because the Avalanche player was tripped by his own teammate, not Bertuzzi).

The Blackhawks’ coach also made a 6-7 joke during a press conference recently, feeding into the antics of younger players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. Social media frequently shows the two making jokes in the same vein.

The chemistry between the players on the ice matches up with the friendship they show off the ice, contributing to the team’s successes so far.

While the Blackhawks have been off their A game recently, there are other teams in the league that are making strong strides towards success.

What players are showing the most success right now? What teams are on top? Elmhurst University student and Buffalo Sabres (yes, the very same Sabres that pummeled the Blackhawks) fan Noah Kostro gives his opinion.

Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks was Kostro’s standout pick.

Kostro says, “he was good last season in his rookie year but has really exploded this year.”

He also mentioned Connor Bedard, saying, “much was said in jest, but there were jokes about him being a bust. Both have really become their hype.”

After 23 games, Celebrini is sitting at 37 overall points across 14 goals. After 22 games, Bedard has 31 overall points and 13 goals.

Both players have been in the spotlight since the moment they were drafted and are definitely proving themselves this season. The comparisons between the two are never-ending, but both are highly talented players.

Kostro’s pick on a potential Stanley Cup winner, despite being only a quarter of the way through the season? The Colorado Avalanche.

He says, “for the Central- Colorado. I think they could maybe win a cup this year.”

The Avalanche are currently first in the Central Division, with only five losses. They have amassed 37 points after 22 games, much higher than any other team in the league.

The NHL 2025-2026 season has been fun so far. The Blackhawks have been fairly successful, while the Avalanche are currently the top Cup contenders.

The halfway point of the season will hit in January, when the Blackhawks will hopefully have found their footing again.