The Chicago Blackhawks are "tanking" for another top 5 NHL draft pick

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Finnegan Frost
November 16, 2024 (1:01 PM)

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Ben Pope, a prominent Chicago Blackhawks insider predicts the team will likely receive another top 5 NHL draft back if they can't turn their season around.

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently residing in the basement of the NHL, posting a 6-10-1 record. The team is currently undergoing a massive rebuild, however, fans are starting to grow weary of the overall length of the process.

GM Kyle Davidson has failed to give fans a more watchable product, failing to bring in key assets to build around Connor Bedard during the offseason. As it stands, the idea of "tanking" is already becoming a relevant topic in order to secure a a top 5 2025 NHL draft pick.

As of Friday, they sat one point out of a tie for last place in the NHL and six points out of a playoff spot. The leaguewide floor seems higher this season than most - the Canadiens' not-that-awful 5-10-2 record is the worst in the NHL - so the bottom tier isn't as clearly defined.

If the Hawks fail to escape the NHL's basement this season, however, there will be one silver lining: That would put them in position for another top-five draft pick.
-Ben Pope

So far, the Chicago Blackhawks are scoring in the bottom percentile in almost every statistical category, including their 36.7% expected-goals ratio during five-on-five play ranks 31st in the NHL, ahead of only the Sharks'.

With that being said, the Chicago Blackhawks are taking on the Vancouver Canucks tonight which should be a thrilling matchup for Hawks enthusiats. The game marks superstar Connor Bedards highly anticipated homecoming, with fans eager for an offensive ressurnence.

The Chicago Blackhawks have a narrow window to climb back to a .500 record. If not, it's looking like "tanking" for a top 5 pick will be the only silver-lining.