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The Chicago Blackhawks just can’t catch a break this season. After a rare high-scoring win (7-4 over the Flyers) gave fans a flicker of hope, the team was hit with more bad news. Jason Dickinson’s injury – a season-ending wrist issue – means rookie star Connor Bedard will finish the year without one of his key teammates. It’s another tough blow in a season full of them, as Chicago remains stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings with no playoff hopes in sight.
Blackhawks’ Rough Season So Far
It’s been a rough ride for the Blackhawks in 2024-25. The team currently sits last in the Central Division (and near the bottom of the league overall) with a record of 21-41-9. In other words, Chicago has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a while. The year started with low expectations due to a rebuilding roster, but it still found ways to disappoint fans during Bedard’s much-anticipated rookie campaign.
Early on, the Hawks lost veteran winger Taylor Hall to a season-ending knee injury after just 10 games. Despite flashes of promise (like the recent big win against Philadelphia), consistency has been lacking. As captain Nick Foligno put it, “it’s an emotional rollercoaster” being on a young, rebuilding team. Chicago’s offense has often struggled, and defensive lapses have led to embarrassing losses (such as a 6-2 defeat against Seattle). With only a few games left, the Blackhawks are basically playing for pride and development.
Jason Dickinson Injury Ends His Season
Head coach Anders Sorensen confirmed that forward Jason Dickinson will miss the rest of the regular season with a wrist injury. Dickinson, one of Chicago’s veteran leaders, was hurt during a scrum in a game against the St. Louis Blues – an altercation that left him with a serious wrist issue. The injury occurred in the first period of a 4-1 loss on March 22, when Blues forward Jake Neighbours drove Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez into the boards and chaos ensued. It’s a bit of bad luck for Dickinson, who already missed over a month earlier this year due to a high ankle sprain. Dickinson isn’t a flashy scorer, but he’s a crucial two-way player for the Hawks. He has been an alternate captain and a stabilizing presence for the young team. Known for his strong defensive play, Dickinson often takes on tough assignments like killing penalties and shutting down opponents’ top lines. Before the injury, he logged 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in 59 games this season while averaging around 15 minutes of ice time per night.
Jason Dickinson’s 2024-25 Season at a Glance:
Games: 59
Points: 16 (7 goals, 9 assists)
Role: Alternate captain; defensive forward key to the penalty kill
Injuries: Missed 13 games with a left ankle sprain in Feb–Mar; now out for season with a wrist injury
Losing Dickinson is a blow to Chicago’s lineup. He’s a 29-year-old veteran with nearly 8 NHL seasons under his belt, and his experience has been valuable on and off the ice. “That’s some bad luck with [Dickinson]; he’s had some bad luck throughout the season, missed extended time,” Coach Sorensen noted, referring to the forward’s injury woes. With Dickinson sidelined, other players will have to fill his role as a shutdown center and penalty killer.
Coach Sorensen: “Opportunity for Other Players”
Interim head coach Anders Sorensen tried to put a positive spin on the situation. While he admitted losing Dickinson is tough, Sorensen also said “It’s a loss, but it’s an opportunity for other players to step up.”
With the Blackhawks’ season essentially over, Sorensen sees this setback as a chance for younger guys and call-ups to grab larger roles. Chicago has a number of prospects eager to prove themselves, and now they’ll get more ice time to do so on the NHL stage.
Sorensen praised what Dickinson brought to the team – especially his defensive reliability. “Penalty kill is one thing, but obviously… in terms of shutting other teams’ top lines down he’s done a good job the last couple of years here,” the coach said of Dickinson’s contributions. Those are big skates to fill, but Sorensen’s message is clear: with a veteran out, it’s “next man up” for the rest of the roster.
Look for Chicago to shuffle its lines and give opportunities to players who may have been lower on the depth chart. This could mean increased minutes for younger forwards and those recently called up from the AHL. Sorensen wants to see who can seize the moment: Which young Blackhawks will step up when given the spotlight? The final stretch of games will serve as an audition for many.
Connor Bedard Staying Positive Amid Adversity
Through all the struggles, Connor Bedard has been a bright spot – and he’s trying to keep his head up despite losing a teammate like Dickinson. The 19-year-old rookie phenom leads the team in scoring with 56 points this season, a notable achievement in such a challenging year. Bedard has expressed that he’s focused on growth over results as the season winds down. “I know what I’m trying to do right now is not be so focused on results,” Bedard said, noting that the Blackhawks are young and just trying to get better while enjoying the game.
Instead of dwelling on the losses, Bedard is taking a “just have fun and do the best you can” approach with only a few weeks left. He remains optimistic about the future, highlighting that Chicago’s influx of young talent is reason to hope. In fact, Bedard has been impressed by some of the prospects who have joined the lineup recently, seeing them make a positive impact.
Of course, the ultra-competitive Bedard isn’t completely satisfied – he’s the type of player who expects more from himself. He acknowledged that he had a couple of 12-15 game slumps this year where he didn’t produce as much as he wanted. “As a guy who’s supposed to produce, those stretches are what I need to get rid of,” he admitted, while also recognizing that overall he’s had a solid rookie campaign. The teenage star believes he has “a lot of areas [he] can improve”, which he actually finds exciting because it means he can get a lot better.
Bedard’s mature perspective is impressive: he’s balancing frustration with a long-term view. Losing a linemate and mentor figure like Dickinson is tough, but Bedard seems determined to use these challenges as learning experiences. Blackhawks fans can take some comfort in knowing their franchise player is staying resilient and learning how to lead through the tough times.
Captain Nick Foligno’s Bold Message to the Team
Veteran captain Nick Foligno did not mince words after yet another demoralizing loss last week. Foligno, who won a Stanley Cup in his career and knows what a winning culture looks like, delivered a passionate locker-room message to remind everyone what’s at stake. “We need guys that want to be a part of this. It’s not easy, it’s not for the faint of heart, it’s hard,” Foligno said bluntly. In a rebuilding year full of adversity, Foligno’s looking for teammates who embrace the challenge rather than shy away.
As one of the oldest players on the roster, Foligno has taken Bedard and the other youngsters under his wing. He’s been through NHL ups and downs and knows how important mindset is. He described the season as “an emotional rollercoaster a lot of days”, capturing how draining a losing season can be. But Foligno also stressed the importance of keeping focus: “It’s gonna be an important last stretch to go on to a really important summer to pick up and move off of this feeling in here,” he said, urging the team to use these final games as a springboard. In his eyes, progress will come “in little increments” – there’s no overnight fix, but commitment now will pay off later.
Foligno’s bold message is both a challenge and encouragement. He basically told his teammates: If you want to be part of the solution in Chicago, now is the time to show it. The captain’s words carry weight, and younger players like Bedard are surely listening. This kind of veteran leadership is exactly why the Blackhawks brought Foligno in – to set the tone for how to handle tough times with grit and professionalism.
Looking Ahead: Silver Linings and Opportunities
With Jason Dickinson’s season cut short and the playoffs out of reach, the Blackhawks have turned their attention to development and the future. Every remaining game is a chance for young players to gain experience. Fans at the United Center may not be cheering for a playoff push, but they will be watching how the team responds to this adversity. In Dickinson’s absence, expect to see different names in key defensive roles – perhaps a rookie forward getting a shot on the penalty kill, or a call-up centering the third line. It’s all about finding out who can step up when it counts.
For Connor Bedard, these last weeks are an opportunity to further establish himself as the team’s cornerstone and maybe pad his stats enough to stay in the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) conversation. More importantly, it’s a chance for him to continue developing chemistry with other pieces of the Blackhawks’ future core. The same goes for other young players on the roster, who can use this low-pressure environment to make mistakes, learn, and grow.
Though 2024-25 will go down as a “learning year” for Chicago, the hope is that all the growing pains – including injuries like the one to Jason Dickinson – will forge a stronger team down the road. As Foligno hinted, the real mission begins in the offseason and next training camp, building off the lessons learned. Blackhawks fans are a resilient bunch, and they know rebuilding a contender takes patience. The mix of emerging talent (led by Bedard) and experienced voices (like Foligno and, hopefully next year, a healthy Dickinson) could set the stage for a brighter 2025-26.
In the meantime, the message is clear: keep fighting, keep improving, and don’t let the losses break your spirit. This season’s story has been rough, but each challenge – including the latest Jason Dickinson injury setback – is another chapter in the Blackhawks’ journey back to prominence. The road may be hard, but the Blackhawks are embracing the grind with an eye on future success.
