I am 100% willing to admit this may be the most freezing cold take I’ve ever uttered (besides ketchup on eggs being good — come at me Betsy — or everybody loving Giannis Antetokounmpo) but Alex DeBrincat was the best player for the Chicago Blackhawks this season — especially once Marc-Andre Fleury was traded at the deadline — and is the most important player going forward for the Blackhawks.
While the rebuild looms large, DeBrincat remains just 24. Even by the least optimistic projections, by the time the Blackhawks’ rebuild is complete and they are ready to compete in the playoffs, DeBrincat will still likely be in his 20s.