Tensions are rising in The Windy City. The Chicago Blackhawks are nearing their boiling point after enduring one disastrous outing after another throughout the 2024-25 NHL season. While fans might find some solace in the prospect of high draft picks, the players couldn’t care less—they want to win. After the catastrophic 6-2 defeat against the Seattle Kraken, the cracks began to show, with veteran Jason Dickinson delivering a stark reminder to interim head coach Anders Sorensen, Connor Bedard, and the rest of the team.
It wasn’t the first time the Blackhawks were blown out at the United Center by a visiting team in the NHL. Fans have grown accustomed to such performances in recent years, but it certainly didn’t feel like it would be the last time—though everyone would love to believe that.
Chicago jumped on to an early 2-0 lead, but stepped off the gas and allowed Seattle to gain momentum, eventually leading to a lopsided whooping in front of their home fans. It was utterly embarrassing for everybody inside the locker room, especially for veteran Dickinson, who voiced a clear reminder postgame.
Dickinson has been in Chicago since the 2022-23 campaign, so this wasn’t his first rodeo with the Blackhawks. However, he couldn’t bite his tongue when addressing the team’s performance postgame, delivering a harsh wake-up call for Sorensen, Bedard, and the rest of the team.
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on during the second period against the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
“[This team is] a gritty one. We’re not a high-skilled team, we’re not a team that can play with a shootout mentality,” Dickinson firmly stated hinting at Sorensen’s offensive-minded playstyle, via CHGO Blackhawks. “We are not going to take it to 8-6, 8-7, those are not games that we want to play.
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“We’ve got to get into a gritty match that we’re blocking every shot, we’re getting into bodies, forechecking, and turning pucks over: making it miserable. It’s not gonna be fun to win hockey games that way, but winning hockey games is a whole lot more fun than this, so I don’t care how we do it. I just wanna win.”
Stats don’t matter
Although Bedard snapped his three-game point drought during the game, it was far from a strong outing for the 19-year-old. Even his goal was the result of a fortunate bounce off a skate and into the back of the net.
His lowlight of the night came in the second period when he attempted to sneak a pass over a defender, but turned the puck over. It lead to a breakaway chance for the Kraken’s Jared McCann, who scored and gave his team a 3-2 lead. After the game, Dickinson made something clear to Chicago’s goalscorers, Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi.
Jason Dickinson #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 09, 2024 in New York City.
“It doesn’t matter, it’s great for them that they got a goal, but we lose the game 6-2,” Dickinson admitted. “What does it matter if we score on the power play or short handed? It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care… let’s go win a freaking game.”
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Earning the right to play fancy
Plays like Bedard’s turnover in the second period are exactly what were maddening during the game, and throughout the campaign, for Dickinson and other long-time veterans. Chicago often shoots itself on the foot, and Sorensen’s playstyle has much to do with it.
Sorensen isn’t fully responsible for the team’s direction, as he was handed a tall order when appointed as interim head coach. However, his offensive style of hockey may not be the wisest approach for a team struggling as much as Chicago.
Interim head coach Anders Sorensen of the Chicago Blackhawks speaks to the media after losing to the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on December 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Ongoing dilemma
Sorensen has repeatedly stated his desire to help develop the younger talents, but that leaves the Blackhawks’ locker room mired in a two-front dilemma. It seems the veterans, who aspire to compete, and their wants and needs are often overshadowed by the youngsters. The latter still have their whole careers ahead of them and have no fear of losing every night, seeing it all as part of the bigger lesson.
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The cracks in the locker room are starting to show as the season reaches its finale, and the Blackhawks say goodbye to yet another abysmal season.
