The Chicago Blackhawks continue to struggle with consistency this season.
After an impressive performance against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday that snapped a five-game losing streak, the Hawks faltered again on Sunday, suffering a disappointing loss to the New York Rangers.
Goaltender Arvid Soderblom, who earned a second consecutive start, failed to make a strong case for solidifying his spot as the team’s No. 1 goalie. He allowed six goals on 34 shots, a stark contrast to his brilliant showing against the Canadiens just a day earlier.
Despite the rough night, giving Soderblom a long look to see if he can still be the long-term No. 1 netminder is one of three things the Hawks must figure out over the rest of the season.
Despite his struggles, Arvid Soderblom has earned the opportunity to prove he can reclaim the starting goalie role he lost last season. One major issue contributing to the Blackhawks’ defensive woes is the blue line’s inability to clear screeners and limit opponents’ prime scoring chances.
Interim head coach Anders Sorensen has emphasized the importance of defensemen taking away those high-danger scoring areas, but the unit has struggled to meet that challenge so far. This has placed additional pressure on Soderblom and the other goaltenders.
With Soderblom’s contract set to expire after the season, the Blackhawks owe it to themselves to evaluate whether he can become their top goalie. If he rises to the challenge, the team could explore trading Petr Mrazek or Laurent Brossoit, as their relatively low cap hits would make such moves feasible.
Additionally, young goalie Drew Commesso likely needs more time to develop in Rockford before he’s ready to step into a backup role, further emphasizing the importance of seeing what Soderblom can offer this season.
The Blackhawks have to find a winger who can skate opposite of Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi.
Tyler Bertuzzi has shown he can complement Connor Bedard effectively on the top line. The challenge now lies in identifying the right third player to complete the trio.
One of the issues that contributed to Luke Richardson’s dismissal as head coach was the frequent reshuffling of Bedard’s linemates, which disrupted consistency. However, Bertuzzi’s ability to capitalize on Bedard’s playmaking has been a bright spot, offering hope for establishing a more stable and productive top line moving forward.
It would be ideal for the Blackhawks to find the right third player to complete their top line. Taylor Hall had a chance to skate alongside Bedard but was eventually moved to the second line, and Ilya Mikheyev has recently been given the opportunity.
Colton Dach also got a look in the second period and could be a solid long-term fit due to his size and physical style of play. As an energy guy, Dach could screen goalies and win puck battles, setting up Bedard for scoring chances.
Another intriguing option is prospect Oliver Moore, whose skill and speed might make him a worthy addition to the line with Bedard. However, Moore is still in college, which complicates his immediate potential.
For now, it’s promising that Bertuzzi is developing solid chemistry with Bedard in the short term. The hope is that this partnership continues to grow throughout the season while the team works on finding a third forward to complete their top line.
Find an energy guy on the ice.
It would be beneficial for Colton Dach, or another player from Rockford, to step up and fill a role similar to that of Matt Shaw—a player who brings an edge and is a constant nuisance for opponents. Someone who can create chaos, win puck battles, and provide physicality would complement the top line well, especially alongside skilled players like Bedard and Bertuzzi. Having that type of “pain in the you-know-what” player can be crucial for creating space and adding an extra layer of grit to the team’s offensive dynamics.
It would be refreshing to see more players skate with a sense of urgency and energy, something that has been lacking for the Blackhawks this season. While it’s great that the front office has prioritized skill and speed, every team needs players who can bring an energy and grit that often sparks momentum, and right now, the Blackhawks are missing that kind of presence.
If Colton Dach can embrace this role, he could solidify his spot in the NHL and avoid a return to Rockford. By becoming that high-energy player—someone who can make life difficult for opponents and spark plays—Dach could earn his place as a key contributor to the team, bringing the physicality and drive the Blackhawks need.
