Every year, everyone likes to predict what the NHL standings are going to look like by year’s end. There are usually some “hot takes” involved, but a lot of it is as expected based on the team’s makeup. 

For the Chicago Blackhawks, most folks around the league remember how this team has had a draft pick in the top three in each of the last three seasons. Great teams don’t select that high in the draft. 

“JFresh” revealed a standings prediction for 2025-26 on Wednesday. Their model is based on data and current rosters. 

JFresh (@JFreshHockey) on Xundefined

According to them, the Blackhawks are going to finish in last place in the Central Division with 75 points. Last place isn’t great, but the division is filled with teams that believe they can compete, and it’s a 14-point improvement over their 2024-25 season that ended with 61 points. 

This 75-point finish on the model has them as the fourth-worst team in the Western Conference. The Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks all project to be worse. In the Eastern Conference, only the Philadelphia Flyers project worse.

This scenario would give Chicago the fifth-best odds at landing Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. No matter how it happens, landing that superstar would enhance every franchise in the NHL. 

In a perfect world, the young stars on Chicago's roster take a big step, the team looks improved over the course of 82 games compared to a year ago, and the team still has a chance to make a top-five pick in a loaded draft class. 

If they somehow compete for a Wild Card spot, that will be a great experience for the youth as well. No matter what the finish looks like in the standings, there is potential for 2025-26 to be a great developmental year.

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