The Chicago Blackhawks seem like a night-and-day team from what they were in 2024-25. Through the first quarter of 2025-26, they're 9-5-4 with 22 points, and they appear capable of contending for a wild card spot should they stay consistent.
Nobody's benefiting more than head coach Jeff Blashill. So much, that Elliotte Friedman took notice on Monday's edition of 32 Thoughts. When asked about Blashill, Friedman said, "He's de-aging. He looks younger now than when he started. Like a youthful team that's good. A youthful team that's bad, you look older. because you're sitting there and saying, 'I don't have a chance because these guys aren't ready to win.