As the Blackhawks tumble out of a playoff position — hopefully a temporary development — it’s a good time to remember that the success of this this season isn’t based on the Blackhawks’ final position in the standings: it’s about the progress the young players make on the ice. Winning is fun and there are important lessons to be learned in victory, but the most important factor of the season is the development of the young players on the team.
Unfortunately, the last 13 games were as rough on the Blackhawks’ young defensemen they were on the team as a whole.