5 Shocking Takeaways From The Bleacher Report Chicago Blackhawks Analysis: The Rebuild's True Status

As of December 19, 2025, the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild is no longer a theoretical blueprint; it is a tangible, albeit painful, work in progress, with the 2025-26 season serving as a crucial inflection point for General Manager Kyle Davidson's vision. The current consensus from analysts, including those echoing the style of *Bleacher Report*, is that while the team's standing remains near the bottom of the league, the true progress is measured by the growth of the young core and the emergence of generational talent Connor Bedard. This deep dive breaks down the five most critical takeaways from the latest analysis, focusing on the team's young core, trade strategy, and the surprising developments that will define the next few seasons. The organization's strategy, rooted in patience and high-end drafting, is beginning to yield signs of hope, though the journey to becoming a true Stanley Cup contender is still long. The most encouraging signs are coming from the individual leaps made by key prospects, which is the metric the front office is using to judge success, rather than the win-loss column.

The Bedard Effect: A Generational Leap in 2025-26

The single greatest factor influencing the Blackhawks' future is the ongoing development of Connor Bedard, and his 2025-26 season has been nothing short of a massive jump. Fans who have watched the superstar center this season have seen him elevate almost every aspect of his game, moving closer to the status of a foundational, franchise-defining player. His offensive production is up significantly, but the most telling sign of his maturity is his improved two-way play and faceoff percentage. Through the early part of the 2025-26 campaign, Bedard’s faceoff percentage at 5-on-5 saw an encouraging spike to 41.56%, a marked improvement from his first two seasons. This development suggests he is evolving into a more complete center, capable of driving play in all three zones. The hype train surrounding Bedard is real, and the team’s long-term outlook hinges on his continued ascension.

The Five Pillars of the Blackhawks' Rebuild Core

GM Kyle Davidson's rebuild strategy is centered on acquiring and developing a massive pool of high-end talent, particularly at center and on the blue line. The following five entities represent the most critical pillars of the team's future, with updated analysis on their 2025 status:

• Frank Nazar: The Instant Threat

  Nazar, the 13th overall pick in 2022, is no longer considered a "true prospect" due to his games played, having been promoted to full-time NHL duty in the 2024-25 season. He has quickly established himself as an instant offensive threat for the Blackhawks, showcasing the speed and playmaking ability that made him a top pick.

• Alex Vlasic: The Defensive Anchor

  Like Nazar, Alex Vlasic has graduated from prospect status, solidifying his role as a key piece on the Blackhawks’ blue line. His size, defensive acumen, and steady presence are crucial for a team transitioning to competitiveness, giving the organization a reliable, long-term shutdown defender.

• Kevin Korchinski: The Puck-Moving Catalyst

  Korchinski, the 7th overall pick in 2022, possesses elite skating and natural puck-moving ability. While he has seen time in the NHL, the organization has preached patience, with Korchinski occasionally being sent down to the AHL for further development, a common move for young defensemen. His development, alongside Vlasic, Artyom Levshunov, and Sam Rinzel, is vital to solidifying the "Future of the Blue Line."

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• Artyom Levshunov & Sam Rinzel: The Next Wave of Defense

  The organization's defensive depth is massive, with Levshunov and Rinzel representing the next wave of high-ceiling defensemen. Levshunov, in particular, is viewed as a potential true No. 1 defenseman, though this remains an open question that will be answered over the next few seasons.

• Sacha Boisvert: The 2024 Draft Sleeper

  Boisvert, a forward taken in the 2024 NHL Draft, is one of the many high-upside picks that GM Davidson has accumulated. While still developing, these mid-to-late first-round picks are essential for building a deep, competitive roster beyond the top-tier talent. The success of the rebuild will ultimately be judged by how many of these draft picks "land."

2025 Season Surprises and Unsettling Disappointments

The 2024-25 season, which was punctuated by a disappointing finish and exit interviews, provided clear evidence of which players are exceeding expectations and which are falling short, creating a mixed bag of results heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

The Biggest Surprise: Ryan Donato's Resurgence

The biggest positive surprise to start the 2024-25 season was the performance of forward Ryan Donato. Donato provided a much-needed offensive spark and consistency that few expected, becoming one of the team's most reliable secondary scorers. His unexpected production was a bright spot in a season otherwise defined by struggles.

Disappointments: Reichel and Raddysh

Conversely, the biggest disappointments included Taylor Raddysh and the highly-touted Lukas Reichel. Reichel, a promising young forward, has not panned out as hoped, leading to him being prominently mentioned on the trade block in various rumor roundups. The consensus is that the team needs more scoring to complement Bedard, and Reichel's struggles in a top-six role have been a point of frustration.

Coaching Uncertainty

Adding to the uncertainty, the Blackhawks’ outlook for the 2025-26 season was clouded by coaching questions. Following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, the biggest decision facing the organization was the status of the head coach, a pivotal choice that will shape the development of the young core and the team's identity moving forward.

Kyle Davidson's Trade Strategy and Future Outlook

General Manager Kyle Davidson continues to preach patience, focusing on long-term value over quick fixes. While the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline saw the Blackhawks make a few minor moves, they avoided any "massive" transactions, preferring to hold onto future assets. Davidson's primary focus now is acquiring scorers to help Connor Bedard, as youthful depth on defense (Vlasic, Korchinski, Levshunov, Rinzel) and goaltending (Spencer Knight is mentioned in the broader context of rebuilds) are becoming solidified. The team is actively looking for a "long-term deadline add" who can grow with the core, rather than a rental. Despite the ongoing pain of the rebuild, the Blackhawks are viewed by some analysts as the fourth-closest rebuilding team to a Stanley Cup. This ranking, while optimistic, is a testament to the high-end talent they have accumulated. The next major step is for the young core—Bedard, Nazar, Vlasic, and Korchinski—to translate their individual progress into meaningful team victories, proving that the pain of the rebuild was a necessary step toward future championships. The models may predict a last-place finish, but the organization is banking on the signs of growth from their star players to signal that the promise of a contender is finally on the horizon.

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