Five seasons ago, the Canadiens had the worst record in the NHL. But their point total has increased in every season since, including 15-point jumps in the last two seasons. They had 106 points last season and reached the conference finals.
Now that’s a rebuild.
The Blackhawks, meanwhile, had the sixth-worst record in 2021-22, then finished in the bottom three for four consecutive seasons. Their 72 points last season were 20 more than they had in 2023-24 but still were the second-fewest in the league.
That’s a much slower rebuild.
The Original Six rivals met Friday at the United Center, with the Hawks hoping — expecting, really — to catch the Habs in the rebuild race. Though his team is far behind, coach Jeff Blashill looks at the Canadiens and sees the Hawks’ future.
“Montreal was very young last year, and once it clicked, it clicked,” Blashill said. “And there’s zero doubt in my mind that once it clicks here, it’s going to really click.”
The teams are taking similar tacks in their rebuilds. Both are assembling young cores — they’re among the five youngest teams in the league — and have them under contract for several years. The Canadiens, in particular, have banded together, signing team-friendly deals to keep their core intact.
The Hawks have begun that process, but they’re still a ways from determining exactly who is in their core. Though they’re off to a slow start, Blashill thinks the talent is there.
“We have a lot of real high-end talent that just has to learn how to manage games, learn how to not beat themselves,” he said. “You’re going to figure it out at some point when you have that kind of high talent with great character, which I’m sure is what Montreal has.”
That’s the rub for the Hawks: Learning on the job.
“We beat ourselves too much,” Blashill said. “And there’s no getting around the growth process of that. We’re trying to help expedite it, but it’s still just part of it.”
The Hawks activated left wing Andrew Mangiapane from injured reserve after he returned to practice in the morning skate. He suffered a lower-body injury in the season opener Sept. 29, the second consecutive opener in which Mangiapane got hurt. Last year with the Oilers, he suffered a groin injury that he played with all season.
“That’s one of the reasons why you want to make it heal, because last year I didn’t,” Mangiapane said after taking a few moments to catch his breath as he builds his stamina back up. “I think I played every game with a bum groin. You just don’t want it to be the same thing.”
Mangiapane’s status initially was day-to-day, but he said the injury lingered and he didn’t want to risk making it worse.
“Feeling good and just happy to be back and skating with the guys,” he said. “Just being in on the jokes and seeing everybody is an uplifting feeling.”
But Mangiapane isn’t guaranteed a permanent spot in the lineup.
“I think a number of guys have done a good job since he’s gone out, especially as of late,” Blashill said. “It will be a competition, for sure.”
• Defenseman Bowen Byram (upper body) returned to the ice, skating individually before practice, but he isn’t close to playing.
Blashill has embraced players’ use of iPads on the bench, though some players who predate the technology criticize its use because players watch the game less.
“It’s a great tool to be able to get instant feedback,” Blashill said. “I wish the damn things would work more. I used to throw my controller, too, when I used to play video games. That’s probably more on me.”
