The Blackhawks’ early offensive issues aren’t just about getting the puck out of their own end. That part of the conversation has taken center stage, and for good reason, but Chicago’s problems don’t stop once it crosses the blue line. In the limited offensive-zone samples we’ve seen, the Hawks still aren’t creating nearly enough where it matters most.
Chicago sits 30th in expected goal share at 36.7 percent and 30th in expected goals for per 60 at 1.9. A huge reason is simple: they’re avoiding the slot. Instead of attacking the middle, the Hawks are spending too much time circling the perimeter and settling for shots and passes that don’t force defenses into real trouble.
A heat map from HockeyViz.com makes the issue plain. The darker blue areas show where Chicago is well below league average in shot generation, and the picture is ugly in the dangerous areas.
The Hawks are light on traffic in the slot and heavy on the outside, which fits the eye test. The puck moves around, but the threat level never really spikes.
One sequence from the offensive zone showed the problem clearly. Alex Vlasic used a flip pass to get the puck in.
Roman Kantserov then forechecked at the five-second mark, with Tyler Bertuzzi and a pinching Ian Cole helping Chicago gain possession. By 12 seconds, the Hawks had cycled into an offensive triangle with Anton Frondell positioned just inside the house.
Three seconds later, Bertuzzi got the puck to Frondell, who tipped it behind the net. After that, the chance evaporated and Chicago eventually lost possession.
There are flashes, though, that show what this group can do when it attacks with a little more purpose. Against Carolina, one tracked stretch included 40 successful entries, and 45 percent of them were controlled carries. That’s not a massive number, especially against a team that forces plenty of dump-ins and chips, but it does show Chicago can create cleaner looks when it gets in with speed and possession.
On one of those possessions, Bowen Byram’s pass and drive helped stretch Carolina’s defense. Chicago then worked the puck low to high, Vlasic got a shot through, and the rebound landed with Kantserov in position for a chance. Patrick Kane and Nick Lardis were also in the slot, which is exactly the kind of interior presence this team needs more often.
Another example showed the same theme: the puck didn’t enter on a clean controlled carry, but the Hawks still got bodies into the middle and packed the slot.
When Connor Bedard returns, the offense should improve. That much is obvious.
But banking on one player, even a special one, is not a real plan. For Chicago, the fix is less glamorous than people want it to be.
Stop living on the perimeter. Get to the slot.
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