Grading Blackhawks' 2024 summer additions in hindsight: Tyler Bertuzzi best signing in disappointing group

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson's robust group of player additions last offseason has not elevated the Hawks' roster the way he intended.

He is expected to discuss Monday, in both a news conference and Zoom meeting with season-ticket holders, a plan moving forward that he believes will actually help the Hawks climb out of this deep rebuild.

Before that happens, here's an attempt to grade each of Davidson's summer 2024 additions, with the benefit of 48 games of hindsight:

Tyler Bertuzzi: B+

Months ago, the expensive contract the Hawks gave Bertuzzi — four years with a $5.5 million salary-cap hit — seemed like a considerably worse decision. But he has quickly caught up to and surpassed expectations since interim coach Anders Sorensen's arrival.

Bertuzzi's scrappiness and finishing ability around the net made him a logical winger for Connor Bedard all along. But after they failed to click together in training camp, the Hawks spent far too long shoving Bertuzzi's square peg into other round holes before finally trying him alongside the teenage star again.

Bertuzzi has racked up 12 goals in 22 games under Sorensen — compared to five in 26 games under ex-coach Luke Richardson — and now leads the Hawks with 17 total. Most importantly, he has also helped Bedard, who has recorded 57% of his five-on-five points in the 32% of his ice time he has spent with Bertuzzi.

Bertuzzi is much less impressive defensively, and it's comical how frequently he falls down while skating. But he's so effective in the dirty areas around the net that he seems worth the money.

Teuvo Teravainen: B

Teravainen was the Hawks' other big free-agent signing, receiving a three-year contract with a $5.4 million cap hit, and he has succeeded in quieter ways.

His 33 points actually exceed Bertuzzi's 27 this season and put him second on the team — behind only Bedard — in total scoring, although he has accumulated 23 of those 33 points via assists and 16 of the 33 on the power play.

In many ways, Teravainen has been the opposite of Bertuzzi, in that he has been solid in most areas of the ice and aspects of hockey but hasn't dominated any singular one. He has also been honest about struggling confidence-wise at times.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the Bertuzzi and Teravainen signings is that Davidson pivoted to them after seemingly striking out on the summer's marquee free-agent forward, Jake Guentzel, who instead signed with the Lightning (for seven years at $9 million per) and has tallied 49 points in 46 games. Landing Guentzel might've allowed the Hawks to take the step forward Davidson promised.

Ilya Mikheyev: C

Mikheyev, acquired in a salary-dump trade with the Canucks, has been adequate. He uses his speed well defensively, and he has slotted in smoothly alongside Teravainen and Jason Dickinson on the Hawks' checking line.

But the 30-year-old forward hasn't rediscovered the offensive touch he demonstrated earlier in his career. Aside from erupting for five goals in a four-game span in December, he has scored only three times in his other 42 appearances combined.

The Hawks converted a 2027 fourth-round pick into a 2027 second by taking on Mikheyev's contract, which runs through next season with an adjusted cap hit slightly over $4 million. Perhaps Davidson should've driven a harder bargain and tried to get the second-round pick outright, for example.

Alec Martinez: C

Defensemen Martinez and T.J. Brodie and forwards Pat Maroon and Craig Smith all fell into the same bucket when signed July 1: depth players at various stages of age-related decline.

Three of the four have been fine, but the Hawks probably didn't need quite so many, as they've done little but block young AHL players angling for promotions. One or two could be traded before the March 7 deadline, but for insignificant returns.

Martinez has been healthy for only 22 games so far and hasn't done much of note, but he at least eats minutes, averaging nearly 20 per game. He might be entering the final months of his career.

Pat Maroon: C

Maroon's biggest impact has been befriending and mentoring Lukas Reichel, the enigmatic German youngster whom Maroon knows how to keep confident and loose better than anyone else. Maroon has also fought more lately, but he has just two goals in 43 games.

Craig Smith: C

Smith started relatively hot with four goals in his first 10 games, but many fans have probably forgotten by now that he's still on the team. He has missed 16 of the Hawks' last 21 games (and counting) with a back injury.

T.J. Brodie: F

Brodie's two-year contract with a $3.75 million cap hit wasn't announced until hours after all the other July 1 signings — odd timing that hints at some miscommunication or unexpected decision-making behind the scenes. The Hawks certainly regret making the offer at this point, as this has become one of the ugliest marks on Davidson's pro-scouting track record.

Brodie has statistically been one of the NHL's worst defensemen, struggling in all regards but especially with turnovers. The Hawks need to cut bait this coming summer, likely via buyout.

Laurent Brossoit: N/A

Brossoit has been the ghost of the 2024-25 Hawks. The 31-year-old goalie has yet to play — or even practice — with the team due to two consecutive knee surgeries. Sorensen provided no update on his progression (or lack thereof) when asked Saturday.

Brossoit has historically been an excellent backup or "1B" goalie, and if healthy, he theoretically could've helped the Hawks win a few more games. However, his absence has allowed 25-year-old Arvid Soderblom to resurrect his own NHL career, which is arguably a preferable outcome for the organization.

Whether or not Brossoit plays before season's end, the Hawks could have a tricky situation to figure out this coming summer. He has another year under contract at $3.3 million.