Explore the Chicago Blackhawks’ advantages in speed and how they impact game tactics for the upcoming season.
The Chicago Blackhawks are advertising one of their perceived advantages: speed.
I have my doubts about this, despite Blackhawks beat reporters making strong claims that this is a younger and faster team. That’s technically true, but let’s not forget that the forwards are still mostly veterans. That said, there’s some truth to this. And one area of the ice that will be impacted (depending on head coach Jeff Blashill’s philosophy) is moving through the neutral zone.
Before we continue, be sure to check out our previous articles on Blackhawks tactics.
The Blackhawks Neutral Zone In 2024-25
There’s not much worth digging into here. But bear with me, let’s lay the groundwork for why this stuff matters.
The Blackhawks were just a leg-hair above league average in shots generated off the rush/60 last season, with 12.8 (NHL average: 12.7). But the Hawks had an atrocious rush shooting percentage (6.9% compared to 10% league average) and 10.45 entries that led to chances per 60 (8th worst). The Blackhawks didn’t have any puck movers or any direction, for that matter. This year, though, it’s different.
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Chicago Blackhawks 2024-25 rush offense according to All Three Zones
There are two key skills that will help the Blackhawks move the puck through the neutral zone: skating ability and active defensemen.
Blending Skating Ability With Puck Play
The Colorado Avalanche have a monster in Nathan MacKinnon. He’s one of the world’s best skaters and centers. He was the eighth-best player in controlled entries/60 last season. The Blackhawks have Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. That’s the top two lines that could create offense on the rush. If Oliver Moore makes the team out of training camp, his skating certainly fits this style as well. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves with Moore just yet.
Last season, Bedard had 14.75 controlled entries/60. MacKinnon had 18.77. Bedard has a ways to go before he can come close to MacKinnon’s level. But it starts with speed. Connor Bedard has been working on his speed during the offseason. Aside from exciting training camp clips, we’ll have to see it in a real game to believe it. But this is absolutely an area Bedard needs to get better at. The Blackhawks are building a team of fast skaters. It’ll probably be a rush team when they’re good.
Frank Nazar had 17 controlled entries/60. That’s not bad considering Nazar was in his first year. But we all know what Nazar struggled with: finishing. He had 1.38 controlled entries leading to scoring chances/60. League average was 3. MacKinnon had 6.65/60 and was eighth, one spot above Macklin Celebrini.
Defensemen Getting to the Red Line
The Blackhawks have two defensemen whose game specifically fits rush-style offense: Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov. The massive caveat is that both are still unproven. But they skate fast and look promising.
Jeff Blashill has said he’s on board with defensemen joining the rush. That could be a d-man acting as a 4F on the rush or even carrying the puck from one end to the other. Artyom Levshunov displayed that in last night’s preseason game in the clip below.
What’s On Tap Next?
Jeff Blashill has talked about active defensemen in previous interviews. Blackhawks fans can expect Blashill to encourage his puck-moving defenseman to activate. However, this depends on how preseason looks. Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Kevin Korchinski are all players who could fill this role. Korchinski is likely to be AHL-bound, and Levshunov may join him.
In the forwards, Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and possibly Oliver Moore are players who could fit this scheme. Ilya Mikheyev and Landon Slaggert could make a speedy third line. Although their role would be more focused on sustained forechecking pressure if they’re to fulfill Blashill’s role of a shutdown third line.
Next, we’ll take a look at offensive zone entries.
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