Chicago Blackhawks fantasy projections for 2023-24

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has projections for relevant players on the Chicago Blackhawks. Players are listed in order of fantasy rank for this season. 

Connor Bedard, C

NHL.com fantasy rank: 39 

Reason for optimism: Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has drawn comparisons to elite centers Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and could realistically have a point per game or better in his first season. Bedard is the front runner for the Calder Trophy, voted as the NHL's top rookie, the second ranked player in keeper and dynasty leagues behind McDavid and has a high ceiling after the Blackhawks acquired left wing Taylor Hall from the Boston Bruins.

NHL.com point projection: 78

Seth Jones, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 103

Reason for optimism: Jones was tied for 15th among NHL defensemen in goals per game (0.17; minimum 20 games) and tied for 11th in the entire League in average ice time (24:27 per game) last season. Jones is a two-time 50-point producer with an even higher ceiling than his previous NHL career high (57 with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017-18), sharing plenty of ice time with Bedard at even strength and on the first power play.

NHL.com point projection: 62

Taylor Hall, LW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 123

Reason for optimism: Hall has fantasy bounce-back potential in a prime role with Bedard and the Blackhawks after playing on the third line for the Bruins, the best team in the NHL last regular season. Hall was a bright spot for Boston in the Stanley Cup Playoffs despite its surprising first-round loss to the Florida Panthers with eight points (tied for third on the Bruins) in seven postseason games. His best season came with the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18, when he had an NHL career-high 93 points (37 on the power play) and won the Hart Trophy, voted as the League's most valuable player.

NHL.com point projection: 72

Lukas Reichel, C/LW 

NHL.com fantasy rank: 236

Reason for optimism: Reichel, the No. 17 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, was third on Chicago in points per game (0.65; 15 in 23 games) last season behind forwards Patrick Kane (0.83) and Max Domi (0.82), each of whom was moved before the NHL Trade Deadline and no longer plays for the Blackhawks. Reichel is likely to have a top-six, first power-play role with exposure to Bedard, Jones and Hall and is a fantasy breakout candidate for this season.

NHL.com point projection: 59

Other CHI players to consider in fantasy: Taylor Raddysh, LW/RW; Andreas Athanasiou, LW/RW; Petr Mrazek, G; Philipp Kurashev, LW/RW