The Chicago Blackhawks season has been lost. That does not mean the Hawks cannot accomplish anything over the final 27 games of the season.

It is important the Blackhawks play good hockey to have a good transition into next season.

Connor Bedard on what the #Blackhawks can accomplish over the last 27 games of the season pic.twitter.com/9PDXu0lj5W

— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 18, 2025

The Hawks are still in the running for the best lottery odds. If the Blackhawks do end up with the league’s worst record, all it will do is give the team the best odds of winning the NHL Draft Lottery.

You can bet no one in the locker room cares about the Blackhawks lottery odds.

Playing well can go a long way toward setting up for the Hawks to have a successful 2025-26 campaign that was envisioned for this season.

This was supposed to be the season of raised expectations and instead it got off to a rough start that ended up costing former head coach Luke Richardson his job.

Despite interim head coach Anders Sorensen changing how the team defends and scrapping superstar Connor Bedard focusing on improving his defensive game, the Hawks are still at the bottom of the Central division.

He is pushing the team to have the intensity on a nightly basis much like has been watching in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Anders Sörensen says the intensity of the 4 Nations Face-Off is a bar he wants his team to reach.

"That's where you're trying to get." pic.twitter.com/vvGOv2dukC

— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 19, 2025

A lack of consistent effort has plagued this team the entire season. Establishing a more consistent effort-based identity can go a long toward bridging that into next season.

However, the talent has to be upgraded on the top lines in the offseason. Bedard needs players with a similar skill level. Mikko Rantanen would be a great free-agent signing, especially since the team is retaining some of his salary in a deal that got him to Carolina.

Let’s get back to the focus of what can be done over the final 27 games of the season.

Bedard silencing his critics is one thing that can be accomplished over the final portion of the season. He has taken it on the chin from the national media and even the local media recently.

The most recent criticism is Bedard’s generational talent is hiding. So, a strong finish to the season can erase all the doubt.

Rookie Frank Nazar playing strong over the final 27 games also will help the team’s long-term future. If prospects Ryan Greene, Oliver Moore, and Sam Rinzel sign their entry-level contracts after their NCAA seasons are over, getting them a taste of the NHL game will go a long way.

Arvid Soderblom playing strong in goal can also help the franchise feel more secure about the club’s netminder outlook long term.

Soderblom went from being a failure as the No. 1 goalie of the future to getting reconsidered after the strong season he has been having. Finishing off his redemption season strong will bring some comfort when the Hawks likely extend him or give him a short-term deal since he is a restricted free agent after the season.

While the Blackhawks are in the race to the bottom, there is still some things the Blackhawks can accomplish in another lost season.