The Chicago Blackhawks brought in Jeff Blashill as the franchise's new head coach, but with the work isn't over yet.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson crossed a major task off of his list last week when he hired Blashill, but that was just the first move on the todo list.
The Blackhawks have a lot more work to be done in the next month.
Obviously a major focus right now is on the 2025 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks will be drafting third overall this summer, just behind the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks.
A lot of time right now will be spent on who the Hawks take at third. The way different mock drafts are currently going, there is a real chance the Hawks could get their top pick at third overall, as it's anyone's guess who the Islanders or Sharks will take.
Blackhawks management have to be going through their depth charts, deciding not just who to draft skill wise, but who fits best into the organization.
Additionally, Chicago is no stranger to draft day trades, maybe fans will see one again this year. One area the Hawks need to fix sooner than later is the situation in net.
Spencer Knight and Laurent Brossoit are both signed for next season. Arvid Soderblom, who had a really good bounce back season last year, is a restricted free agent.
It seems likely one move the Hawks will make will involve Brossoit. Chicago may choose to buy him out, but a trade also could be in the cards if a team is interested in the 32 year old netminder.
Soderblom is one of a few players the Hawks have to worry about contract wise for next season. On the blue line both Wyatt Kaiser and Louis Crevier are set to be restricted free agents and with the forwards, Ryan Donato and Phillip Kurashev are also up as well.
Donato might walk in free agency, if the Blackhawks let him reach that point, and Kurashev had a underwhelming season that definitely puts his future in jeopardy.
With all that in mind, at least Davidson now has a coach in place to help with these decisions. In some ways, a general manager can only do so much without an understanding of the style of play his coaching staff is hoping to bring.
With Blashill in place, Davidson can start truly turning his attention to next season, starting with an extension or two for some of these players set to hit free agency.
