The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into a critical summer in which they will have a golden opportunity to make their already intriguing team legitimately better.

The Blackhawks are armed with cap space and a bevy of draft capital this offseason which they can utilize to sign free agents, accumulate more young talent and potentially swing some significant trades to bolster their roster.

Chicago may have totaled just 72 points this season and has missed the playoffs six years in a row, but there is no question that the Blackhawks are an ascending squad that could be in the mix for a postseason berth sooner than you think.

Of course, Chicago will need to ensure it makes all of the right moves to take that next step, which is what makes these coming weeks so pivotal for the franchise.

But amidst all of the noise about the Blackhawks’ rumored trade targets and what they’re going to do on the open market, what actually is the central theme of Kyle Davidson’s plan going into the offseason? Bleacher Report’s Lyle Fitzsimmons knows the answer.

Chicago Blackhawks are prioritizing Connor Bedard’s future

Connor Bedard is slated to hit restricted free agency on July 1, and while that doesn’t really put the Hawks in danger of losing the young star, it does mean they need to get moving when it comes to putting a contender around him and making sure he sticks around for the long haul.

Fitzsimmons feels that extending Bedard will actually be Chicago’s primary order of business this summer.

“GM Kyle Davidson is saying all the right things about wanting to improve on the back end after the Blackhawks surrendered the second-most shots and the sixth-most goals per game last season,” Fitzsimmons wrote. “But let’s face it, the whispers in the background are about getting pending RFA Connor Bedard signed long term.”

There are multiple reasons why signing Bedard to a long-term pact now would be enormous for the Blackhawks.

First and foremost, Chicago wouldn’t have to worry about him receiving a gargantuan offer elsewhere that it would have to match. Bedard is under team control for the foreseeable future, so if the Blackhawks really wanted to, they could play the RFA game for quite some time. But why do that when you can just save some money over the long haul by getting him locked up now?

Second, inking Bedard to an extension would allow Chicago to know how much money it can allot to other areas. It’s not just about keeping Bedard in the Windy City; it’s about contending for championships while he is aboard, so knowing exactly what you can spend elsewhere for years to come would help tremendously.

We’ll see if the Blackhawks can get something done with Bedard.

The post Blackhawks’ actual offseason strategy revealed amid rampant rumors appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in a pretty solid position heading into the NHL offseason, as they possess a decent amount of cap space and own expansive draft capital that they could use toward potentially building a contender going forward.

The Blackhawks have missed the playoffs six years in a row, equaling their longest drought since 1952. However, they have shown clear improvement over the last couple of seasons, so they may not be as far off as you may think.

Could that mean established stars may start viewing Chicago as an appealing destination this summer?

It’s what the Blackhawks are hoping for, as they are aiming to make at least one notable free-agent signing, and it would be nice if they could cash in some of their assets in a significant trade, as well (players do have some pull there).

For example, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin was recently floated as a potential target for Chicago, but is it realistic? Larkin just answered that question.

Dylan Larkin update is bad news for the Chicago Blackhawks

Larkin has asked the Red Wings for a trade, and he has now provided a list of three preferred destinations: the Vegas Golden Knights, the Minnesota Wild and the Florida Panthers.

What do all three of those teams have in common? They are all contenders. Yes, the Panthers missed the playoffs this year, but they just won two straight Stanley Cups and made it to three in a row. The Blackhawks do not exactly possess that resume in their current form.

So, what does this mean for Chicago?

Well, Larkin does not speak for veterans everywhere, but it could be an indication that some of the top players available this offseason do not exactly view the Blackhawks as a marquee landing spot. Considering the Hawks managed just 72 points this season, it’s not hard to see why.

The hope is that big names see the potential in a young Chicago squad led by Connor Bedard, but perhaps it’s still a bit too soon for the Blackhawks, who have yet to actually prove they are going to be contending anytime soon.

Chicago will surely land someone of significance this offseason, but it might be more difficult than people initially anticipated.

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The Chicago Blackhawks own the fourth overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, and it seems pretty clear who they would prefer at their selection: Swedish wing Ivar Stenberg.

Blackhawks fans have been clamoring for Stenberg, who put on quite a show at the World Championships and has already drawn comparisons to Detroit Red Wings star Lucas Raymond. But will Stenberg actually be available for Chicago at No. 4?

That’s the million-dollar question as the draft quickly approaches.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to select Gavin McKenna with the top overall selection, but after that, things get a bit spooky for the Blackhawks. The San Jose Sharks seem inclined to take defenseman Chase Reid, and the Vancouver Canucks may end up nabbing Caleb Malhotra, the son of their new head coach, Manny Malhotra.

That would leave Stenberg for Chicago … but it might not be that simple.

Chicago Blackhawks could lose out on Ivar Stenberg

Stenberg was certainly a big story at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, and the problem for the Blackhawks is that both the Sharks and Canucks have expressed serious interest in the 18-year-old.

“So what stands between the Hawks and Stenberg? It’s really just the Sharks and Canucks, who hold the second and third picks and who took Stenberg out to dinners this week in Buffalo,” wrote Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times. “It appears increasingly plausible that Stenberg, Reid and center Caleb Malhotra might be the 2-3-4 picks in some order, leaving the Hawks to take the last one remaining at No. 4.”

Given Stenberg’s immense talent, is it actually realistic to think that both San Jose and Vancouver will pass on him?

Well, the good news for Chicago is that the Sharks are in dire need of help with their blue line, so Reid could very well be the pick there. And while you would hate to accuse anyone of nepotism, can you really imagine Manny Malhotra snubbing his own uber-talented son at No. 3?

The Canucks’ decision to hire Malhotra may have been the best thing that could have happened to the Blackhawks, as it could give them the inside track to landing Stenberg … but that’s assuming that San Jose goes the conventional route and selects Reid.

We’ll see what happens later this month, but one thing is for sure: Hawks fans are in for a nailbiter.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are ready to make a major move this offseason. One of the bigger names that could be available is a member of the Detroit Red Wings. With some major names that could be on the move this offseason, Chicago could be in a position to improve the team. Let’s take a look at how one outlet believes their chances are of landing the Red Wings captain.

The Chicago Blackhawks make sense as a Dylan Larkin landing spot

In an article published by The Athletic discussing the sensibility of each team trading for Dylan Larkin, the Blackhawks are one of the more intriguing teams. They are classified as one of the teams that make sense to trade for the 29-year-old center. Below is what Scott Powers wrote regarding the Blackhawks’ sensibility to make the trade:

“The Blackhawks are open to ading a viable top-six forward. Larkin is probably a little older than what they were hoping to target, but it’s not as if his play is falling off. He’d be a serious upgrade for the Blackhawks. He’s also played for Jeff Blashill before. His contract, including the money and term, would fit Chicago, too. The question is whether the Blackhawks have what the Red Wings would want for him. Detroit is looking to win now and probably wants more than first-round picks.”

Larkin has continued to be a solid player, as in 74 games, he recorded 67 points (34 goals, 33 assists). If the Blackhawks are able to land him and have the 1-2 punch of Larkin and Connor Bedard, that would be an elite top line. Larkin gets to dictate where he goes as he has a no-trade clause in his deal. However, his $8.7 million cap hit over the next five years is difficult for some teams to take on.

After Davidson said that he is motivated to make a major splash this offseason, this could be a chance to do so. Chicago’s cap space allows it to be in the mix for the star. It will be intriguing if they decide to go this route.

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The Chicago Blackhawks will have some money to play with this offseason, so they are expected to be rather active players on the free-agent market.

Of course, the question is whether or not any top free agents will want to join a team that has missed the playoffs six years in a row and finished in last place in the Central Division this season.

On the bright side, the Blackhawks have shown obvious signs of improvement the last couple of years, and they have a growing crop of young talent that could be on the cusp of making some noise and finally returning to the postseason.

So, who could Chicago pursue on the open market? We have heard the Blackhawks connected to Alex Tuch multiple times, but whether or not Tuch would actually want to leave a contending team like the Buffalo Sabres to play for a squad that totaled 72 points in 2025-26.

Surely, there are more realistic options, and Ron Luce of On Tap Sports pitched a potential option that will tug at the heartstrings of Hawks fans: Patrick Kane.

Could the Chicago Blackhawks reunite with Patrick Kane?

Kane spent this season with the Detroit Red Wings, but with Dylan Larkin recently requesting a trade and the Red Wings toiling in mediocrity, it seems rather unlikely that they will re-sign the Chicago legend this summer.

That’s where Luce thinks the Blackhawks could come into play.

“Naturally, there are a few other questions that stem from the Larkin report. For Detroit, will Patrick Kane re-sign if Larkin is moved? Doubtful. Perhaps there is a reunion there?” Luce wrote.

Kane spent the first 15-and-a-half seasons of his career in Chicago, helping lead the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships and earning nine All-Star selections along the way. He also won the Hart Trophy during the 2015-16 campaign after leading the NHL with 106 points.

Of course, the 37-year-old is a shell of the player he once was. Chicago traded him to the New York Rangers midway through the 2022-23 season, and he has spent the last three years with the Red Wings. He’s still productive, having registered 16 goals and 41 assists this past year, but he is no longer a superstar.

Still, Kane would represent a nice veteran addition for the Blackhawks, and it’s hard to imagine the fanbase saying no.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to make some significant moves this offseason, as they lay claim to significant cap space, a ton of draft capital and a host of young players that they can include in potential trades.

But will the Blackhawks actually do what fans are anticipating?

There has been quite a bit of speculation that Chicago might pursue an established scorer to put alongside of Connor Bedard up front, with big names names like Jason Robertson and Matthew Knies being floated as possibilities. But is that actually realistic?

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson opened up on the team’s trade avenues this offseason, and while many want to see Chicago pursue a high-octane winger, the reality of it is that the Blackhawks seem more focused on adding a defenseman.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Kyle Davidson makes intentions clear

Chicago traded away veteran defenseman Connor Murphy before the deadline this past season, and the unit struggled afterward.

For that reason, Davidson wants to add some more established talent to the blue line.

‘”It didn’t go quite the way we were hoping to give us that full shot in the arm, that ‘set it and forget it’ [feeling]. So it’s probably something we want to at least explore,” Davidson said, via Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times.

While the Blackhawks absolutely should look to add a defenseman this summer, it’s certainly not the sexiest move that fans would have imagined. There is no question that Bedard could use some assistance up front, but Davidson didn’t really give any indication that Chicago is itching to provide it. At least not via trade.

Remember: the Blackhawks could always sign someone in free agency, and they’ve already been linked to Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch, who is slated to hit the open market.

Davidson also made it clear that he does not want to trade too many young players in one deal, so the chances of Chicago swinging a blockbuster trade for a star wing seem pretty slim. But again, that doesn’t mean the Blackhawks won’t try and dip into the free-agent pool.

We’ll probably get a clearer picture of Chicago’s strategy during the NHL Draft later this month.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been looking to get out of the basement in the NHL for a few years now. They have a lot of young talent maturing, and this is going to be a pivotal offseason. Chicago has a lot of decisions it can be part of. They hold a projected $40.1 million in cap space and four picks in the first two rounds of the draft. Their general manager is ready to pull the trigger and improve the team, but let’s take a closer look at what he said ahead of players switching teams.

Kyle Davidson says the Chicago Blackhawks are motivated to make a major move this offseason

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson spoke to the media and explained that he is motivated to make a splash this offseason.

“I’m certainly motivated to. I don’t know if I feel like its, like, a mandatory thing ,but I want to, yeah. That’s kind of been a lot of the motivation, and a lot of the work here is trying to figure out what’s there that we potentially could add to the group. I wouldn’t say we weren’t motivated in the past to add, but there’s certainly an extra bit of willingness or aggressiveness in trying to explore what’s out there, for sure.”

Players like Jason Robertson, Matthew Knies, and Dylan Larkin are all likely to be on different teams next season. Davidson said it was more internal for the team to decide to make a move now.

“I think it’s just the maturation of our team. We have a better idea of where guys are starting to fall, what things are looking like moving forward, where we need need to fill some holes, which was sort of where we wanted to understand where some of these players were after this year. And so, it’s just a better understanding of what we’re actually trying to fill.

“Now, last couple of years, it’s not like there’s been some windfall of players that we’ve just sat out on. But there’s just, as we get further into this thing, and these players are in the NHL, and we understand their capabilities, their areas of growth and their strengths, what do we need to augment that, and what do you need to support that? And so that’s something we have more information on at this point, which allows us to be much more specific and targeted in what we might want or don’t want.”

The Blackhawks have a 107-187-34 record since Davidson was named general manager in 2022. It will be intriguing to see if Davidson can make a splash this offseason. Remember, it takes two sides to make a significant move happen.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are entering a critical offseason in which the right moves could potentially elevate them into playoff contention next year, and they have the assets to make that happen.

The Blackhawks have a nice chunk of cap space, are loaded with current and future draft capital and possess a host of young players they could dangle in trade packages. Of course, execution is the key here.

Chicago will need to ensure it makes the most of its situation this summer, so it will have to add the right pieces rather than just going for broke and attempting to fill all of its needs within several weeks.

The Blackhawks have already been linked to a handful of big-name free agents and potential trade targets, and everyday, it seems like a new possibility is identified for the team. The newest shiny toy? Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, who has surprisingly requested a trade.

But should Chicago actually get involved? Ron Luce of On Tap Sports Net doesn’t seem to think it’s all that realistic.

Chicago Blackhawks probably won’t be acquiring Dylan Larkin

Many Blackhawks fans have already connected Larkin to their squad, but Luce doesn’t see the fit.

“Simply, Larkin doesn’t fit the Blackhawks’ timeline. He is 30 years old, and although he’d be a great addition to the top six, he will be past his prime when the Hawks are truly competitive. Realistically, any of the playoff teams from this season are the most-likely destinations for a player like Larkin,” Luce wrote.

Larkin scored 34 goals and tallied 33 assists for the Red Wings this season and has spent his entire career in Detroit, making his NHL debut back in 2015. He has made a pair of All-Star teams and would unquestionably represent an interesting partner for Connor Bedard up front.

But it just doesn’t make a ton of sense.

“Nonetheless, the Blackhawks will not be in the Dylan Larkin sweepstakes, if there is one. It’s a fun thought, but it simply doesn’t make sense. Hopefully this doesn’t burst too many Blackhawks fan bubbles,” Luce added.

Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean Chicago won’t be in the mix for some other top players on the trade market, such as Jason Robertson and Matthew Knies. Both of those players fit the Blackhawks’ timeline quite a bit better. But Larkin probably isn’t the best fit.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be one of the more active teams in the NHL this offseason, as they are loaded with cap room and impressive draft capital that they can use to wheel and deal and improve their roster for a playoff run next year.

The Blackhawks have missed the postseason six years in a row, representing their longest drought since 1952. But Chicago has shown some positive signs recently, displaying clear improvement over the last couple of seasons.

Still, it’s obvious that the Blackhawks need more pieces to seriously contend, and one of their primary issues is not having enough help for Connor Bedard up front.

The prevailing thought is that Chicago will pursue another wing this summer, whether that be via free agency or trade, and on that note, a very intriguing target may be available in the latter category: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal.

Bedard has said in the past that Barzal is his idol and that he would love to play with him, so can the Blackhawks make it happen?

Can the Chicago Blackhawks trade for Mathew Barzal?

Barzal has been a member of the Islanders ever since he made his NHL debut back in 2016-17. He has made three All-Star appearances in New York, and because the Islanders remain playoff contenders, they surely won’t move him without getting a hefty return.

What would that return look like? Greg Boysen of Blackhawk Up explained what New York would probably want.

“For argument’s sake, if Barzal was put on the market, what would the cost be? You’d have to imagine the asking price would be similar to what the St. Louis Blues reportedly want for Jordan Kyrou: an established player, a prospect, and a draft pick. The Blackhawks can easily come up with the draft pick and prospect, but it’s that established player that will be an issue in any trade,” Boysen wrote.

Chicago is full of young players and draft capital, so that part would be easy. But what established player could the Blackhawks possibly dangle that would interest the Islanders?

Boysen suggested 22-year-old budding star Frank Nazar as a possibility, but that would be risky for Chicago. Ilya Mikeheyev was also floated as a potential option.

One thing is for sure: the Blackhawks should absolute exhaust all of their resources to see if they can try to get a deal done here. It would make Bedard incredibly happy, and it would absolutely improv Chicago as a collective unit.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into a critical offseason in which they could really take a step to the next level with right moves.

The Blackhawks have missed the playoffs six years in a row, equaling their longest drought since 1952. However, they have shown clear improvement over the last couple of seasons, and armed with cap space and a host of draft capital, they are set up very nicely for the summer.

Chicago owns the fourth overall pick in the NHL Draft next month, so that decision will be pivotal. The general consensus is that the Blackhawks covet Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, but there have been questions about whether or not he will actually make it to Chicago at No. 4.

But the Blackhawks just received some fantastic news in that regard, and it involves a choice the Vancouver Canucks — who are drafting directly head of Chicago at No. 3 — just made earlier in the week.

Chicago Blackhawks might have been gifted Ivar Stenberg

The top four prospects in this year’s class are widely considered to be Gavin McKenna, Chase Reid, Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra.

McKenna and Reid are expected to go at pick Nos. 1 and 2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks. Many have been anticipating that the Canucks would take Stenberg third overall, but that may have just changed due to the fact that they have hired Manny Malhotra as their new head coach.

Yes, that’s Caleb’s father.

While Manny surely won’t want to be accused of nepotism, it will certainly be very hard for him to avoid passing up on the opportunity to coach his son on the NHL level. Not to mention the fact that there were some who felt Vancouver would select Malhotra even before Manny was named head coach.

Should the Canucks take Malhotra, it would open the door for the Blackhawks to steal Stenberg at No. 4, which could potentially provide Connor Bedard with an outstanding partner for the years to come.

Of course, it would also open the door to a potential trade. Perhaps a team that really wants Stenberg would be willing to trade up to No. 4 to acquire him, and Chicago may be able to come away with quite a haul.

In either case, this is terrific news for the Blackhawks.

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Earlier this week, the Chicago Blackhawks traded the rights of former third-round pick Jack Pridham to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a third-rounder in what could only be considered a horizontal move for the franchise.

The Blackhawks drafted Pridham in 2024 and had high hopes for the 20-year-old, but he made it clear he didn’t want to sign a contract with them.

That marks the second time this has happened to Chicago involving a draft pick in recent years. Remember: last summer, former sixth-round pick Dominic James decided to bolt the Blackhawks in free agency after failing to strike a deal with them, signing with the Lightning.

Scott Powers of The Athletic explained the reason for both flubs, and it’s concerning.

“In both cases, the players didn’t share the Blackhawks’ vision and weren’t completely confident there would be a roster spot waiting for them in the end. They looked at the plethora of young players in the Blackhawks system — from the NHL to AHL to unsigned — and the math didn’t add up,” Powers wrote.

So, what does this mean for Chicago?

Chicago Blackhawks must start to consolidate

The Blackhawks are absolutely loaded with draft capital. They have three second-round picks this year and also own three first-rounders in 2027. They will be adding even more players to their already stacked pool of young talent, and while that sounds like a good thing, it’s also dangerous.

Chicago has too many young players, so much so that the path of incoming youngsters is blocked.

“When a team drafts 38 players, including 28 in the first three rounds, over the last four years, some of those players might think their NHL goal might be easier achieved elsewhere,” Powers added.

It’s time for the Blackhawks to start consolidating and trading some of their young players — and draft picks — for established talent. Chicago has shown improvement each of the last two seasons, so it is getting closer to contending. Why not put more starpower alongside of Connor Bedard?

Right now, the Blackhawks’ roster is teeming with young defensemen, for example, and not all of them with receive significant playing time. There is no question Chicago should be aiming to trade some of them, and if it can package some draft capital in the deal, as well, it may be able to land an impactful veteran.

The Blackhawks have done a fine job of rebuilding, but now, it’s time for them to take things to the next level.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have one of their more intriguing offseasons of recent memory getting ready to kick off. They have a massive amount of salary cap space and four picks in the first two rounds of the draft. Chicago can make a lot of noise this offseason, but they could be in the market to make a massive splash via trade. Let’s take a look at one player the Blackhawks could trade for and why it could happen this offseason.

The Chicago Blackhawks could trade for Matthew Knies this offseason

Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz wrote an article discussing a trade or signing each NHL team can do this offseason. For the Blackhawks, Gretz suggested they trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for left winger Matthew Knies. Below is the reasoning he wrote for this deal:

“Knies is a top-line power forward, under contract at a fair rate for several more years, and would instantly be a potential difference-making forward on a team that needs it. Toronto might also be looking to move him to get more long-term assets into the organization as John Chayka tries to rebuild it. Could he get the No. 4 overall pick for Knies? Would Chicago do that? It shouldn’t be off the table. Especially since they are likely to miss out on the Gavin McKenna/Ivar Stenberg duo at the top. Get some help for Connor Bedard. Get some help that can grow with him.”

Knies is under contract for five more seasons with a $7.75 million annual cap hit, so Chicago would have Knies for a handful of years. Having him and Bedard as a duo on the ice would be phenomenal to grow together. Knies is coming off a career season as he recorded 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games. The second-round pick from 2021 has shown improvement, and if the Maple Leafs want to move on, there are certainly going to be suitors.

Chicago has the cap space and the ability to send a respectable trade package. It will be intriguing to see what they are willing to send off and if a trade could happen between these teams.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have seen a lot of talented players go through their franchise throughout its history. Unfortunately, one of the franchise stars who spent more than a decade with the team has passed away. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what he did during his on-ice career.

Dennis Hull passes away at 81

The Blackhawks announced on Saturday evening that former Blackhawks player Dennis Hull passed away. Known as “The Silver Jet”, Hull’s name rings with Chicago fans as the brother of Bobby Hull and the uncle of Brett Hull. Hull spent 13 of his 14 seasons with the “Black Hawks” before playing his final season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Throughout his NHL career, Hull would tally 654 points (303 goals, 351 assists). He would not win a Stanley Cup during his tenure, despite playing in three Stanley Cup Finals. However, the highlight of his career took place in the 1972 Summit Series between the Soviet Union and Canada. He intended to boycott the event due to Bobby being excluded for participating in the WHA. After receiving encouragement by his brother to play, he would score two goals and record four points in the series victory.

Hull retired at 33 years old and lived a life out of the public. The most notable post-playing career aspect was becoming the Athletic Director for the Illinois Institute of Technology.

The Chicago Blackhawks issue a statement on Dennis Hull’s passing

After news of Hull’s passing became known, Blackhawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz issued the following statement:

“The Chicago Blackhawks are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dennis Hull esrlier this morning. Dennis enjoyed a distinguished career built on his scoring ability and consistency, leaving lasting contributions not only to the Blackhawks franchise, but to the game itself. Known around the league for his immense skill, toughness, and intelligence, Dennis was as dominant on the ice as he was beloved off it. He often drew on his sharp wit and sense of humor to keep the locker room loose, while his warmth and humility made everyone he met feel welcome. On behalf of the Wirtz family and the entire Blackhawks organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Dennis’s family, friends and teammates, and the many fans who adored him.”

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The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of questions they need to answer this offseason. They have a significant amount of cap space and multiple top picks heading into the offseason. Chicago can shake up the roster as they have some potential trade candidates. Let’s take a closer look at who could be on the move and why that might be for the best.

The Chicago Blackhawks could trade Kevin Korchinski this offseason

ESPN’s Rachel Kryshak wrote an article discussing players under 25 who could be traded this offseason. One member of the Blackhawks made this article in defenseman Kevin Korchinski. Below is what Kryshak wrote about why he is on this list:

“Another pending RFA who has been passed on the depth chart, Korchinski is an obvious trade candidate for Chicago to use to acquire a skilled forward. Korchinski will be 22 in June and has been passed by Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel for power-play time and offensive opportunities. After playing the majority of the season in the AHL and producing admirably, Korchinski is the prime candidate to make a positive impact with a regular NHL opportunity. He beats defenders one-on-one, attacks the middle of the ice, drives offensive play and has the potential to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL. Chicago has more depth on the right side, but Korchinski needs offensive reps to meaningfully impact the game, and that feels out of reach with this franchise.”

Korchinski, the seventh-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has struggled to find his footing. He has recorded 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) throughout 105 career games. It appears that a fresh start is the best-case scenario for both sides. As Kryshak said, Chicago has seemingly outgrown needing him on the roster at this point. Even with the salary cap space to keep him, this could be a chance to trade him away.

This is not the first time that Korchinski’s name has been discussed in trade rumors. There is the potential that Davidson’s first pick could re-sign and head to the minors. However, selling him for pennies on the dollar now seems like the better situation. Chicago can improve an area of need for the team while Korchinski gets a fresh start.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are loaded with assets heading into the NHL offseason. They have quite a bit of cap space, own the No. 4 overall pick in the NHL Draft and also possess three second-rounders. On top of that, the Blackhawks lay claim to the first-round draft choices in 2027.

As a result, Chicago is expected to be one of the more active teams in the league this summer. Not just in free agency, but also on the trade market.

There are a litany of potential targets that have been linked to the Blackhawks in recent weeks, but one of the more popular names is Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish.

Just 23 years old, McTavish had somewhat of a rough season with the Ducks, putting his future with the franchise in question. Some feel the former No. 3 overall selection could get dealt in the coming weeks, and Chicago seems like a natural destination.

But should the Blackhawks pull the trigger on McTavish?

Chicago Blackhawks could be reluctant to trade for Mason McTavish

McTavish was recently listed No. 4 on a trade big board by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, so he is certainly on the block.

But Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation wonders if Chicago might hesitate to pull the trigger on McTavish due to one big reason.

“A name we’ve talked about frequently, Ducks center Mason McTavish, appears at No. 4 on Johnston’s list. I like the player, but Johnston points out that there are some questions about his skating that could potentially give the Blackhawks’ front office pause,” Bamford wrote.

Bamford added that there is understandably “intrigue” around McTavish, but Chicago already has a wing with less than desirable speed in Tyler Bertuzzi.

McTavish scored 17 goals while adding 24 assists this season, which was a step back from the 2024-25 campaign when he finished with 22 scores and 30 dimes.

The Swiss native remains a compelling talent because of his age and overall skillset, so the Blackhawks may want to check in on him regardless. But there will probably be more enticing targets available for Chicago, and Kyle Davidson will need to be careful in parting with significant assets for a player who might not fit.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have definitely shown improvement over the last couple of seasons, but the fact of the matter is that they have still missed the playoffs six years in a row, representing their longest drought since 1952.

Something needs to change for the Blackhawks, and fortunately for Kyle Davidson and the front office, they are absolutely loaded with assets this offseason, ranging from impressive cap room to tremendous draft capital.

Chicago owns the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft as well as three second-rounders, and next summer, the Blackhawks will possess a trio of first-round selections.

Fans have long been hoping that Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg will be the top pick for Chicago here in 2026, but recent speculation has indicated that the 18-year-old might not be on the board by the time the Blackhawks are on the clock.

Scott Powers of The Athletic has provided an update on the situation, and it isn’t pretty.

Chicago Blackhawks probably won’t land Ivar Stenberg

The Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks are all drafting ahead of Chicago, and while the Maple Leafs and Sharks are both expected to pass on Stenberg, the Canucks could end up swiping the star forward right from under the Blackhawks’ noses.

Powers didn’t specifically name Vancouver as the top threat, but it’s easy to see that the Canucks will probably be landing Stenberg.

“The Blackhawks aren’t as confident as a lot of draft experts that Ivar Stenberg will still be available at No. 4,” Powers wrote. “They’re obviously preparing for every scenario, but they don’t expect him to be there.”

Toronto will almost certainly be selecting Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick, and San Jose is expected to go with a defenseman (Chase Reid has been a popular choice in mock drafts). Vancouver, though, seems like a good bet to snatch Stenberg.

Given how much Chicago needs another wing to put alongside of Connor Bedard, such an outcome would be very disappointing and would give the Blackhawks all the more reason to pursue a major trade or make a significant signing in free agency.

Bedard needs some help, but it’s looking more and more like it may not come in the form of Stenberg.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into a pivotal offseason in which they possess a solid amount of cap space and impressive draft capital.

The Blackhawks own the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft as well as three second-rounders, and next year, Chicago will lay claim to three first-round draft choices.

Clearly, the Blackhawks have plenty of ammunition to significantly bolster their roster this summer, and for a franchise that has missed the playoffs six seasons in a row, its longest drought since 1952, a major move is needed.

The question is whether or not Chicago will move out of the fourth overall selection next month.

There will be some very intriguing prospects available, although it’s beginning to look less likely that Ivar Stenberg will still be on the board when the Blackhawks are on the clock. Scott Powers of The Athletic provided some intel on a potential trade.

Chicago Blackhawks could make a major NHL Draft trade

There are a lot of directions in which Chicago can proceed in the coming weeks, and Powers isn’t ruling out anything.

“As The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Wednesday, the Blackhawks are open to trading the No. 4 pick, but I’d go even further than that. The Blackhawks are open to trading any of their picks over the next two drafts,” Powers wrote. “They’re more willing than ever to listen to offers. Moving the fourth pick, though, would require a significant return. They’d want a player in his prime who can contribute to what they’re building for many years to come.”

Again, Chicago is absolutely loaded with draft capital over these next couple of summers, so a trade actually seems somewhat likely.

The Blackhawks badly need another wing alongside of Connor Bedard, and they could also use a veteran defenseman, particularly one with a bit more offense. Of course, Chicago could always explore the free-agent market for answers, but it may be able to secure a better player via trade.

Bedard himself is headed toward restricted free agency in July, although he obviously won’t be going anywhere. The Blackhawks are working on a contract extension with the star center, which should be their top priority. But they also need to get him some help.

We’ll see how Chicago goes about doing that as the NHL Draft approaches.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are absolutely loaded with young defensemen, but they lack established veteran talent at the position.

While many feel that the Blackhawks should prioritize targeting a wing to put alongside of Connor Bedard this offseason, they may actually decide that pursuing a quality defenseman should be their primary action.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Chicago won’t bring in a winger, as well. After all, the Blackhawks have a nice amount of cap space, and they possess an impressive stash of draft capital that they can use in trades. But adding a defenseman seems like almost a guarantee.

But who will Chicago pursue for its blueline?

Well, Jim Precourt of The Hockey Writers has identified a very intriguing potential target for the Blackhawks: Darren Raddysh.

Chicago Blackhawks could sign Darren Raddysh

Raddysh is hitting free agency this offseason and should command plenty of interest, but Precourt feels he would be a great fit in Chicago.

“Chicago needs a puck-moving, offensive-minded defenseman. Raddysh coming into the Windy City would be just that,” Precourt wrote. “Raddysh isn’t too old, but will still be able to offer a veteran presence and will slot in just fine with the other young defenders on the team. Raddysh played on the right side of the blue line with the Lightning, so putting him next to a defensive-minded type player like Wyatt Kaiser could be beneficial for both of them. However, Raddysh’s play back in his own zone has gotten better.”

Raddysh ranked third among defensemen with 22 goals during the 2025-26 campaign. By contrast, no Blackhawks blueliner even logged double-digit scores this past season, with Louis Crevier leading the way with seven.

Chicago has a pretty loaded depth chart at the position, but most of its defensemen are vastly unproven.

That’s where Raddysh would come into play. Now 30 years old, the Toronto native spent his first five NHL seasons in Tampa Bay. His final year with the Lightning represented a breakout campaign, as he finished with 70 points.

Bedard could certainly use another weapon like Raddysh on the ice. Even if he isn’t a winger, he has clear offensive ability, both as a scorer and as a passer. It would not be the least bit surprising if the Blackhawks made a push for him.

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When you look at the Chicago Blackhawks, you’ll immediately notice that they are in dire need of another wing alongside of Connor Bedard. Yes, they do have Tyler Bertuzzi, but that’s about it in terms of forward help for Bedard.

As a result, the Blackhawks are expected to pursue a top-flight winger this offseason, and they have already been linked to a bunch of them in both free agency and on the trade market. Chicago has some cap space to play with, and it is also teeming with draft capital to swing some deals.

But while the Blackhawks will almost surely add another offensive threat this summer, it may not be at the top of their to-do list.

Scott Powers of The Athletic has revealed some rather surprising intel in that regard, and it may irritate Bedard, who is slated to become a restricted free agent himself this July.

Chicago Blackhawks’ top priority could upset Connor Bedard

Chicago has missed the playoffs six years in a row, marking its longest drought since 1952. Yes, the Blackhawks have shown gradual improvement the last couple of seasons, but they need to start taking the necessary steps to reach that next level.

While you may think that would involve snatching another scorer for the forward line, Powers feels Chicago may have its sights set on different goals.

“I do think the Blackhawks’ priority this offseason is adding a quality defenseman, more so than adding a top-six forward,” Powers wrote. “Davidson’s hope is obviously that his young defensemen make huge strides this offseason and come back bigger and better, but he also can’t bank on that.”

Chicago is absolutely loaded with young defensemen, but it’s true that all of them are entirely unproven.

“Based on how the Blackhawks played late last season with so many young defensemen in the lineup, I can’t imagine [Kyle] Davidson is willing to take the risk of putting that same group on the ice and expecting different results. They need some support,” Powers added. “I could see the Blackhawks adding a left-handed, puck-moving defenseman.”

Keep in mind: Powers did not say Chicago won’t add another winger; he just thinks the Blackhawks will be more inclined to address their blueline first. Bedard will surely understand the thought process, but you do have to wonder if he’ll get annoyed if Chicago doesn’t also make it a point to get him some assistance.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are primed for a big offseason thanks to their nice chunk of cap room and impressive draft capital. They can sign some free agents, swing some trades and bring in some more young pieces via the NHL Draft. But the most important item on the Blackhawks’ to-do list involves locking up Connor Bedard.

Bedard is hitting restricted free agency this summer, which isn’t really a huge deal. Chicago can match any offer made to the young star, and the chances of the Blackhawks not doing so are slim to none. But wouldn’t Chicago want to get something long-term done with Bedard now?

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently reported that “negotiations are ongoing” between Chicago and Bedard’s team and that the two sides are discussing all sorts of different avenues forward. More than likely, the Blackhawks will get something done with the 20-year-old.

Pagnotta added that Bedard could get anywhere from $14-16 million annually based on fresh speculation.

But is it possible that Chicago could botch this?

Chicago Blackhawks receive stern Connor Bedard warning

Again, it seems hard to imagine the Blackhawks messing things up when it comes to Bedard, but Casey McAleer has made sure to send Chicago a stern warning just in case.

“If the Blackhawks are smart, they should do what they must to get a deal with the young superstar done. If he’s already at the center of the rebuild, he should remain there as the foundational piece. Extending his tenure now before he hits free agency is not only the classy thing to do, it’s also the right thing to do. Players like Bedard don’t come across your lap every offseason,” McAleer wrote.

While Chicago has Bedard under team control for the foreseeable future regardless of what happens with the contract negotiations, the last thing the Blackhawks want to do is aggravate the former No. 1 overall pick throughout the process.

The sooner Chicago can get something done with Bedard, the better. Not only would it keep the club’s best player happy, but it would also allow the Blackhawks a clearer window into how they can spend and allot money elsewhere on the roster.

Chicago has missed the playoffs six years in a row, representing its longest drought since 1952. However, the Blackhawks have shown clear improvement over the last couple of seasons, and Bedard is the driving force behind that. They simply cannot afford to bungle this.

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The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in a pretty cushy position heading into the NHL offseason. They possess expansive cap room to sign free agents, and they also own a bevy of draft capital that they can use in trades.

Plus, the Blackhawks have a surplus of young defensemen they can use to sweeten the pot in a potential deal for a star player.

Chicago has missed the playoffs six years in a row, representing its longest drought since 1952, but things appear to be looking up in the Windy City, as the Blackhawks have shown improvement each of the last two seasons and have a brilliant opportunity to make some noise this summer.

We have already heard Chicago connected to numerous targets both in free agency and on the trade market, but will Kyle Davidson actually get aggressive this time?

It does seem like the Blackhawks are primed for some big moves, and most of all, they need to get Connor Bedard some help on the frontline. But who will they actually pursue?

Well, Greg Boysen of Blackhawk Up has floated a rather strange possibility: St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou.

Chicago Blackhawks linked to puzzling trade for Jordan Kyrou

Kyrou is widely viewed as a trade candidate heading into the offseason, and Boysen thinks Chicago could make a play for him.

“St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas has been a name in the rumor mill for months, and he’s 13th on [Frank] Seravalli’s list. He is a player that general manager Kyle Davidson should inquire about, but if he is on the trade block, many other teams will make offers. Thomas’ teammate, Jordan Kyrou, is second on the list and, as I’ve written about before, could be a better fit and a more likely target,” Boysen wrote.

While it’s hard to deny that Kyrou would be a terrific fit alongside of Bedard, the question must be asked: why in the world would the Blues trade Kyrou to their hated rivals?

This would be the near-equivalent of the St. Louis Cardinals trading a star player to the Chicago Cubs. It would never happen, and if the Blues even entertained the thought of sending Kyrou to the Blackhawks, you already know they would attempt to rake Chicago over the coals.

The chances of the Blackhawks actually acquiring Kyrou — who actually had a down year this season — are slim to none. There are plenty of other wingers Chicago can pursue in the coming weeks and months, and they wouldn’t cost the Blackhawks nearly as much.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are in the middle of a long rebuild, but there’s a belief that the franchise is moving in the right direction. With Connor Bedard the jewel in the crown in Chicago, supporters are beginning to believe that the next generation will have a brighter future than what’s gone before.

One team the Blackhawks could learn from in this period is the New Jersey Devils. It wasn’t so long ago that they were also rebuilding while near the bottom of the standings. However, by making some smart draft decisions and being patient, New Jersey have developed into a competitive young playoff team. The latest betting at Betinia New Jersey suggests there’s growing confidence around their long-term future, and Chicago will hope to follow the same blueprint.

Building Around A Young Star

The Devils focused their rebuild around Jack Hughes after picking him first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. While Hughes needed that time to develop into a star, New Jersey remained patient and improved the team around him.

The Blackhawks are following a similar approach with Bedard. Since he arrived in Chicago, Bedard has shown signs that he can become one of the NHL’s top players. After recording an impressive points return in the 2025/26 season, he remains the player the franchise continues to build around.

As Hughes did in New Jersey, Bedard gives Chicago a player who can be key for them for years to come.

Patience Is Crucial

One of the key takeaways for Chicago following the rebuild in New Jersey is that you need patience during a rebuild. The Devils had to endure several difficult seasons before they eventually established themselves as playoff contenders once again.

Rather than attempting to rush the process, the Devils focused on several important areas during their rebuild, including:

• Developing young players gradually
• Remaining patient during difficult seasons
• Adding support pieces through trades and free agency
• Building better balance and depth across the roster

That patience helped them to create a roster that has greater balance and depth.

The Blackhawks still have some weaknesses, particularly defensively, but there appears to be a commitment from the organisation to building for the long term rather than searching for quick fixes. Under the guidance of head coach Jeff Blashill, Chicago will hope to see the team improve over the coming months and years.

The Weight Of Expectation

Another challenge the Blackhawks must manage is handling the weight of expectation surrounding Bedard and the rebuild that’s taking place. Once a franchise has a player in their ranks who is viewed as a future superstar, there will be a demand for immediate progress. The Devils experienced a similar situation with Hughes as they plotted their way back.

Chicago can’t put too much responsibility on Bedard at this early stage of his career. Instead, the organisation should focus on:

• Improving the overall quality of the roster
• Giving Bedard the right support around him
• Allowing young players time to develop naturally
• Building a stronger long-term foundation

If all goes to plan, the Blackhawks could establish a sustainable foundation that leads to long-term success.

Conclusion

The Blackhawks are still some way off Stanley Cup contention, but there are some promising signs that things are finally moving in the right direction. They can look to the Devils for inspiration as they’re a franchise who have been there and done it in terms of rebuilding around a young star. They can also learn from their mistakes, which should lead Chicago to where they want to be without too many missteps.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of money to play with this offseason, and they are also stocked with assets they can use in potential trades.

Basically, this will be a pivotal summer for the Blackhawks, who have missed the playoffs six years in a row (their longest drought since 1952) and are starving for success.

The good news is that Chicago has shown improvement the last couple of years and has one of the NHL’s top rising stars in Connor Bedard, so there is absolutely hope for the future. The Blackhawks just need to make the right moves.

Chicago has been connected to a plethora of potential options in both free agency and on the trade market, so there should be no shortage of possible acquisitions at Kyle Davidson’s fingertips in the coming weeks and months.

But Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation just linked the Blackhawks to one compelling name in particular: Buffalo Sabres wing Zach Benson, a player Bamford himself compared to Chicago fan favorite Andrew Shaw.

Chicago Blackhawks linked to Zach Benson

The Blackhawks would have to sign Benson to an offer sheet and then hope that the Sabres don’t match, but with Buffalo hard up for cash, Chicago might have a chance to poach the exciting 21-year-old.

“The Sabres, like the Stars, don’t have a lot of cap space to play with this summer. And Benson emerged as one of the stars for Buffalo in these playoffs. They also have to make a decision on Alex Tuch, so a significant offer sheet here could force their hand on Tuch. Again, not a big player here (5-10, 177) but plays the Andrew Shaw-type game Blackhawks fans love,” Bamford wrote.

If the Sabres do ultimately decide to re-sign Tuch, it could certainly open the door for the Blackhawks to swoop in and steal Benson, who totaled 13 goals and 30 assists during the 2025-26 regular season and managed five scores and four assists in 13 playoff games.

Benson was originally selected by Buffalo with the 13th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft and posted 11 goals and 19 dimes during his rookie campaign. He followed that up with 10 scores and 18 assists in Year 2.

Shaw, of course, helped Chicago win a pair of Stanley Cup championships in 2012-13 and 2014-15, playing a pivotal role in both runs and establishing himself as a Blackhawks legend along the way.

If Chicago were to acquire Benson and he were anything like Shaw, expect Chicago fans to fall in love fast.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are absolutely loaded with NHL Draft capital over these next couple of years. They own the No. 4 overall selection and three second-round picks this summer, and next offseason, the Blackhawks will lay claim to three first-rounders.

For now, though, most Chicago fans are focused on the fourth overall pick next month, which could potentially net the team Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg.

Considerable buzz has connected the Blackhawks to Stenberg, who would fill a massive hole for the team. Chicago is in dire need of another wing alongside of Connor Bedard, and while the Blackhawks have been linked to several big-name wings both in free agency and on the trade market, securing Stenberg would still be a massive win.

But will Chicago actually have the chance to select Stenberg?

Well, there are conflicting rumors as to whether or not the 18-year-old will be available for Jeff Blashill’s squad.

Chicago Blackhawks land tough update on Ivar Stenberg

Again, we don’t know for sure exactly what is going to happen until draft night, so we should probably take all of these reports with a grain of salt.

But the WCJrankings X account seems pretty certain that Stenberg will come off the board before the Blackhawks pick at No. 4.

“To Blackhawks fans: Ivar Stenberg won’t be available at 4th overall, I’m 99% sure of this based off what I’ve heard,” the account wrote in an X post. “I have no idea where these rumors are coming from that he’ll drop to 4, but it just seems like engagement bait to me.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks are the three teams picking ahead of Chicago. The Maple Leafs are pretty much guaranteed to take winger Gavin McKenna, whereas most feel the Sharks will pick a defenseman (like Chase Reid). The Canucks, however, could be a problem for the Blackhawks.

Will Vancouver nab Caleb Malhotra? Or it will snatch Stenberg right from under Chicago’s nose?

While many mock drafts do, in fact, have Stenberg slipping to the Blackhawks, it is absolutely within reason that he could go earlier, and if we are being honest, it’s no sure thing that San Jose will select a defenseman. What if the Sharks decide to go best player available and think Stenberg fits the possible?

We’ll see what happen, but Chicago fans will definitely be sweating between now and June 26.

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The Chicago Blackhawks definitely need to get Connor Bedard some help this offseason, as he essentially has Tyler Bertuzzi and not a whole lot else assisting him on the wing.

Luckily, the Blackhawks possess a nice amount of cap space heading into the summer, so they can afford to land a top free agent.

Chicago also owns the No. 4 overall pick in the NHL Draft as well as three second-round picks. Plus, it lays claim to three first-rounders in 2027, so if the Blackhawks want to swing a blockbuster trade, they certainly have the goods to do so.

But they might not have to.

There will be plenty of intriguing names available both in unrestricted and restricted free agency, and in terms of the latter, Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation has floated a very interesting possibility for Chicago: Vegas Golden Knights star Pavel Dorofeyev.

Chicago Blackhawks could steal Pavel Dorofeyev

Dorofeyev is a restricted free agent, meaning the Blackhawks would have to sign him to an offer sheet and then hope the Golden Knights don’t match. But given the sizeable portion of money Chicago has to spend, it’s possible it could outbid Vegas for the winger.

“Dorofeyev, 25, is coming off a second straight 30+ goal season. Here’s the kicker: 20 of his 37 goals came on the power play this past season (13 of 35 the previous year). He’s got decent size (6-1, 194) and is Russian, which would be a nice addition with Ilya Mikheyev moving on and Roman Kantserov coming into the fold,” Bamford wrote.

The former third-round pick finished second in the league in power play goals this past season, which would be a welcome addition to a Chicago team which managed just 40 power play scores during the 2025-26 campaign.

Dorofeyev also racked up 37 goals and 27 assists as a whole, which would make him quite easily the Blackhawks’ second-best offensive threat behind Bedard. On top of that, he is still young and can grow alongside of Bedard moving forward.

It could potentially cost Chicago $10 million or more annually to snatch Dorofeyev on an offer sheet, but considering just how much help the team needs and how much it wants to cultivate Bedard, it might just be worth it.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into a critical offseason in which they have the goods to make some significant moves.

Not only are the Blackhawks armed with some hefty cap space, but they also boast some impressive draft capital, owning the No. 4 overall selection as well as three second-round picks. And remember: Chicago also possesses three first-rounders next year.

The Blackhawks have shown improvement each of the last two seasons, going from 52 points to 61 and 72, respectively. But now, it’s time for them to take that next step and get Connor Bedard the wing help he so desperately needs.

Chicago is expected to be a major player in both free agency and on the trade market, so it should not come as a surprise that the club has already been linked to some big names.

Most recently, Bleacher Report’s Lucky Ngamwajasat has named the Blackhawks one of the top contenders to land Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch, who was just eliminated from the playoffs and is now set to enter free agency.

Chicago Blackhawks named among favorites to sign Alex Tuch

Tuch will be one of the best options available on the open market this summer and could command a contract worth $64 million over eight years, but Chicago has the funds to absorb him. Ngamwajasat thinks the Blackhawks will be squarely in the mix, tabbing them as one of the top five landing spots for the 30-year-old.

“It might be finally time for general manager Kyle Davidson to open up the wallet and get Connor Bedard some badly needed help on the wing,” Ngamwajasat wrote. “… Money won’t be an issue for Chicago, which has over $40 million in cap space. The question is, will Davidson be desperate enough to make an offer large enough to lure Tuch?

Tuch scored 31 goals while tallying 33 assists this season and has racked up over 30 scores in three of the last four years. He topped out at 36 goals twice in 2022-23 and 2024-25, and during the former campaign, he also registered a career-high 43 assists.

Outside of Tyler Bertuzzi, Bedard has next to no help, so if the Blackhawks were able to snatch Tuch, it would be a major coup for the talented young center.

If Chicago wants to be taken seriously and wants to keep Bedard happy long term, it should absolutely make a strong push for Tuch this July.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are getting ready for one of their most significant offseasons in recent memory. They have a bevvy of salary cap space and some major draft capital to improve the roster. There are some decisions that general manager Kyle Davidson and his staff need to make, but could they get something for an impending free agent in six weeks? Let’s take a closer look at the rumors swirling around Chicago.

The Chicago Blackhawks could trade away Ilya Mikheyev’s rights

During Monday’s edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Sportsnet’s Eliotte Friedman reported that the Blackhawks are making pending unrestricted free agent forward Ilya Mikheyev’s signing rights available via trade. Mikheyev is approaching the end of his four-year deal, which he signed in July 2022.

Mikheyev signed the contract with the Vancouver Canucks, but was dealt to Chicago alongside a second-round pick for a fourth-round selection. He spent the previous two seasons with the Blackhawks and had the best statistical production of his career. In 157 games in Chicago, he has 70 points (38 goals, 32 assists). The 31-year-old right winger can be a good player when on the ice, but is not going to put up major point totals.

There will certainly be a market to acquire Mikheyev this offseason, but having his rights puts that team in a better position to negotiate. Finding the right landing spot is critical for the winger, but an expiring asset is not going to net a big return.

Whatever the Blackhawks would get for this is not going to be much of anything. However, getting an asset of any kind for an expiring contract would be better than letting him just hit unrestricted free agency. It will be intriguing to see what a potential return for Chicago will be for the veteran winger.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have some moves they need to make this offseason to get into the contending window. After a season where they finished 29-39-14 record and received the fourth pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, there is a chance to significantly improve the roster. There are different ways the Blackhawks can attack this offseason, but what free agent should they target? Let’s take a closer look at who one outlet believes they should go after.

The Chicago Blackhawks can target Mario Ferraro in free agency

The Athletic had their NHL staff create an article highlighting one player each team should target in free agency. For Chicago, they had San Jose Sharks left defenseman Mario Ferraro as the team’s target. Below is what Blackhawks writer Scott Powers wrote about this fit:

“The Blackhawks could use a veteran defenseman to bring some stability to their young group. They probably have a little more flexibility on the left side than the right, so someone such as Ferraro could make sense. From his defensive play to his toughness to his puck-moving ability, he could fit in well with what Chicago already has. The main question is whether the Blackhawks would be willing to sign him to a long-term deal.”

Ferraro has spent his entire career with San Jose. The former second-round pick in 2017 has 114 points (24 goals, 90 assists) in 390 career games. He has been the model of playing every game, only missing eight games over the course of the previous three seasons. Ferraro signed a four-year, $13 million extension with the Sharks following his rookie contract, so it will be intriguing to see how much more than the $3.25 million average annual value he will command on the free agent market.

Chicago has some depth at the left defense position with Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser, but they could certainly use some veteran leadership at the position. The Blackhawks have the cap space available to make upgrades like Ferraro happen, so it will be intriguing to see how general manager Kyle Davidson and his staff address ways to improve the roster this offseason.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have missed the playoffs six years in a row, representing their longest drought since 1952. But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad for the club.

The Blackhawks are set up pretty well this offseason, owning a fair chunk of cap space as well as a wealth of draft capital. Not only does Chicago boast the No. 4 overall selection in this year’s NHL Draft, but it also lays claim to three second-round picks. Plus, the Blackhawks have three 2027 first-round draft choices in their back pocket, as well.

As a result, Chicago has positioned itself nicely on the trade market. If the Blackhawks want to acquire a star player like Jason Robertson or Matthew Knies to put alongside of Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi, they certainly have the assets to make it happen.

And if Chicago really wants to, it could also move down from the No. 4 overall pick to further add to its growing stash of draft capital, and that is exactly what Nestor Quixtan of Blackhawk Up suggested in a recent piece.

Chicago Blackhawks linked to huge trade with St. Louis Blues

If the Blackhawks aren’t enamored with whoever is on the board when they are on the clock, they ultimately could choose to sell off the pick and reap a hefty return, and in Quixtan’s example, Chicago would send the fourth overall selection to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for three first-rounders.

“Then, there’s the possibility of another team looking to move up. For example, a team like the St. Louis Blues, that has three first-rounders, could look to weaponize that abundance of picks to move up,” Quixtan wrote. ” The Blackhawks could send St. Louis the fourth pick in exchange for the 11th, 15th, and 31st picks. For St. Louis, the move would allow them to bring in an impact layer to further their rebuild. For Chicago, three additional first-rounders would give the club more opportunities to draft solid prospects to complement the abundance of high-end talent.”

Such a move would also provide the Blackhawks with even more ammunition to use in trades, and they would then still have some draft assets left over because of it.

The question is whether or not Chicago would value three mid-to-late first-round picks over a top-five selection. For a team that is actually trying to consolidate, using all three selections may not be the best move. But again, the idea here is for the Blackhawks to stockpile as many assets as possible to use in potential trades and create flexibility.

If Chicago were able to swing such a deal, it would then possess six draft picks over the first two rounds, which would make the Blackhawks the envy of the league. It’s absolutely something they should consider in the coming weeks.

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The Chicago Blackhawks definitely need a boost this offseason, and they have the assets to do it. They are armed with a nice chunk of cap space and they also have a plethora of draft capital.

The problem is that if the Blackhawks really want to improve, they may have to swing a big trade. Why? Because the upcoming free-agent market is pretty thin, and Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun Times explained the grim reality in a recent piece.

“In terms of the total quantity of notable available players, this coming summer seems equally bleak,” Pope wrote. “Sabres forward Alex Tuch and Ducks defenseman John Carlson are two of relatively few notable free agents who should interest the Hawks.”

Pope went on to explain that the Blackhawks would strongly benefit to explore the trade market given the number of intriguing names that could be available, but obviously, making major trades is far easier said than done.

So what exactly should Chicago do in the coming weeks and months?

The Chicago Blackhawks have a tough offseason ahead

The good news is that the Blackhawks have showed improvement over the last couple of seasons, going from 52 points to 61 to 72. But the flip side is that Chicago still finished in last place in the Central Division by a wide margin, going 29-39-14.

The Blackhawks have Connor Bedard and a bunch of compelling young players, but the issue is that many of them are defensemen. Chicago has a glut of players at the position, so it would be surprising if it didn’t trade out of that surplus to try and acquire a wing.

Matthew Knies and Jason Robertson have both been tabbed as potential trade targets for the Blackhawks, but it remains to be seen if the Toronto Blue Jays and Dallas Stars, respectively, actually move either player. Plus, even if one of Knies or Robertson did become available, the price would be extravagant.

But Chicago has positioned itself in a way where it could afford to go all in on a trade because of its financial situation and the draft picks it has at its disposal, so because this free-agent market is not all that enticing, expect the Blackhawks to try and swing big.

Whether or not they are successful remains to be seen.

The post Blackhawks insider exposes ‘bleak’ offseason reality for one depressing reason appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks have seen some of their star players continue playing hockey after the NHL season concluded. There are international tournaments going on where players are representing their home country. One of the Blackhawks players are doing just that, but is finished playing after suffering an injury. Let’s take a deeper dive at who it is and what this means for the 2026-27 Blackhawks team.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Teuvo Teravainen suffers an injury during World Championship

Teuvo Teravainen will no longer be on the ice for Team Finland during the 2026 IIHF World Championship, per the team. It was announced that he suffered an undisclosed injury during the team’s win over Team Germany to begin the tournament. This is a major loss for Team Finland, as Teravainen led the team in scoring at the 2025 World Championships with 11 points.

Teravainen has showcased how dominant he can be in international play, but has not been able to have the same level of results with Chicago. He was able to step up with players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, pairing with him on the top line for the Blackhawks.

Teravainen finished the 2025-26 regular season with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists). The 31-year-old winger has been a pivotal veteran for the Blackhawks, but there is not much concern regarding his status for the NHL season. Teravainen is entering the final year of his contract and is hoping to improve on last year’s numbers.

With the fourth pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a significant amount of cap space, the front office could continue to improve the roster. It will be intriguing to see how impactful Teravainen is during his contract year, especially as he recovers during the remainder of the summer.

The post Chicago Blackhawks star to miss remainder of IIHF World Championship appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks have shown signs of improvement the last couple of years, but it’s blatantly obvious that they need to make some moves this summer to try and reach that next level.

After all, the Blackhawks still finished just 29-39-14 this past season, good for last place in the Central Division by a wide margin. And while Connor Bedard is one of the NHL’s top young players, he can’t do it alone. He needs some help (other than just Tyler Bertuzzi).

As a result, Chicago is expected to pursue a trade for an established winger this offseason, and it certainly has the assets to make a deal happen. The Blackhawks only four picks over the first two rounds of the NHL Draft this summer, and they possess a hefty three first-rounders in 2027.

Not only that, but Chicago is teeming with young talent up and down its roster, and there is no way that all of those players will be able to get extended minutes on the team. The Blackhawks might as well start consolidating.

As for potential targets? Toronto Maple Leafs wing Matthew Knies has been tabbed as a candidate, but Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation isn’t sure how palatable such a trade would be.

Chicago Blackhawks’ trade for Matthew Knies would be risky

Knies is unquestionably one of the top young talents in the league. This past season, he scored 23 goals and tallied 43 assists, and he is still just 23 years old. On top of that, he is under contract through 2031.

But for all of those reasons, Bamford is a bit concerned about the cost it would require to pry Knies away from the Maple Leafs.

“Get ready to have some uncomfortable thoughts about the package that might be asked for if Knies does become available, because Toronto has every right to ask for a lot — and a new general manager will undoubtedly want to show he knows what he’s doing if a blockbuster trade opportunity arises this early in their tenure,” Bamford wrote.

And remember: the Blackhawks were nearing a deal to land Knies four years ago, as they almost sent Marc-Andre Fleury and Brandon Hagel to Toronto in exchange for Knies — who was not even a year removed from being drafted at the time — and first-round draft picks.

Clearly, Chicago likes Knies, so it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see the club target him again.

But would the Blackhawks be willing to pay such an exorbitant price? We’ll see.

The post Chicago Blackhawks could make ‘uncomfortable’ trade for rising star appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks have already made one significant move to begin their offseason, signing 21-year-old forward Roman Kantserov to a three-year entry level contract.

Hopefully, that’s the first of many big additions the Blackhawks make this summer, and if the hot speculation is any indication, Chicago will probably be bringing in some more pieces.

The Blackhawks have a ton of assets to use in trades and are expected to aggressively explore the market in the coming weeks and months, and NHL insider Frank Seravalli recently pitched the idea of Chicago going out and swinging a blockbuster trade for Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.

Robertson has emerged as one of the top forwards in the league and is coming off of a 2025-26 campaign in which he racked up 45 goals and 51 assists for the Stars. He also totaled a career-high 15 power-play goals.

So could the Blackhawks actually make a push for Robertson this offseason?

Chicago Blackhawks linked to major trade for Jason Robertson

Chicago owns four draft picks this year, with three of them coming in the second round. However, the Blackhawks lay claim to a hefty three first-round draft choices for 2027, so they could absolutely put together an enticing package for Dallas.

Let’s also keep in mind that the Blackhawks are absolutely stocked with young talent, so if there is any team that can convince the Stars to part ways with Robertson, it’s Chicago.

Robertson is headed toward restricted free agency, and with his next contract expected to be a rather lucrative one, the Stars — who have maintained that they have no intention of moving the 26-year-old just yet — could ultimately part ways with him.

What makes Robertson even more tantalizing as a trade target is that he has played in all 82 games four years in a row. He has also rattled off over 40 goals three times thus far in his NHL career, and back in 2022-23, he accumulated 109 points en route to an All-Star appearance.

We know that Connor Bedard is one of the top young players in the sport, but he needs another player alongside of him. Tyler Bertuzzi has been impressive, but the Blackhawks definitely need another wing. Robertson could be the answer.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are in the midst of one of their worst stretches in franchise history, as they have missed the playoffs six years in a row. That marks their longest drought since 1952.

On the bright side, the Blackhawks have shown some signs of improvement the past couple of seasons, going from 52 points to 61 to 72. They still finished in last place in the Central Division by a rather wide margin this past year, but at least they made some progress.

Chicago is, for the most part, an incredibly young team that clearly has potential, but it absolutely needs to add some established talent in order to reach that next level.

The good news is that the Blackhawks have around $40 million in cap space this summer, and while extending Connor Bedard will probably be their top priority, they also need to put some serious pieces around him, as well.

On that note, Michael DeRosa of Heavy has linked Chicago to a very intriguing name in free agency: winger Alex Tuch.

Chicago Blackhawks linked to Alex Tuch in NHL free agency

Tuch is playing for a tough Buffalo Sabres squad that is currently in the NHL playoffs, and the Sabres might do everything they can to re-sign him. However, with Buffalo possessing just $13 million in cap room, that may prove difficult.

The 30-year-old racked up 33 goals and 36 assists this season and would represent a terrific complement to Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi, the latter of whom led the Blackhawks with a career-high 32 goals in 2025-26. Now, imagine adding Tuch on the other side?

Tuch is being projected by some to bag an eight-year, $64 million contract this offseason, identical to the deal Nick Schmaltz — who, like Tuch, is 30 years old — just received from the Utah Mammoth. Chicago can definitely afford that, so the question may come down to whether or not Tuch wants to play for a team that has been regularly missing the playoffs.

The Syracuse, N.Y. native began his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild in 2016 but spent just one season there before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. He resided in the desert for four seasons before being dealt to the Sabres in 2021, which was when he really broke out.

Tuch registered a career-best 36 goals during his debut campaign in Buffalo and equaled that mark in 2024-25, when he led the league with six short-handed scores.

Chicago would certainly be wise to pursue him, but would he be interested?

The post Blackhawks linked to $64 million move to make Connor Bedard happy appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a position to significantly improve the roster with the fourth pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. They have cap space and a premier pick to fill massive holes on the roster. We will not know who they are selecting until June 26, but there are a lot of different directions the franchise can go. Let’s take a look at one outlet’s mock draft and discuss what that selection would do for the team.

Ivar Stenberg is a Chicago Blackhawk in The Athletic’s latest mock draft

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman wrote a one-round 2026 NHL mock draft. Chicago has the fourth pick and selects left winger Ivar Stenberg from the Swedish Hockey League. Below is the section regarding the pick and why this makes sense:

“I think the dream for Chicago is to add a dynamic scorer to eventually pair with Connor Bedard. Stenberg’s electric puck skills fits the bill, though there are still mixed opinions on how high he ultimately goes. Some think he could be gone by No. 4, but history lacks precedent of two 5-foot-11 wingers going at the very top of the draft.”

The first three picks saw Gavin McKenna, Chase Reid, and Caleb Malhotra taken, so they had some choices to make. Chicago has holes they need to fill and a handful of players who could be selected if this is how the board falls.

Stenberg recorded 33 total points (11 goals, 22 assists) across 43 games for Frolunda HC in the 2025-26 season. He also participated in the 2026 World Junior U-20 Championships, and across seven games, Stenberg posted 10 points (four goals, six assists). This would be a major addition to the team, as he could compete with Frank Nazar for the starting spot. Another potential fit would be to move either him or Nazar to the right wing to get both on the ice.

The Blackhawks certainly could use another offensive weapon or two, as they finished 30th with 210 total goals (2.56 goals per game). Chicago has some weaknesses throughout the roster, but selecting Stenberg would significantly improve the franchise.

The post Chicago Blackhawks add star winger in The Athletic’s most recent NHL mock draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks have certainly shown some improvement over the last couple of seasons, but they are still a long way away from contention.

The Blackhawks finished 29-39-14 this past year, good for last in the Central Division by a wide margin. They have also now missed the playoffs six seasons in a row, representing their longest drought since 1952.

For a franchise that won three Stanley Cup championships between 2010 and 2015, it has been a depressing fall, to say the least.

But there is reason for optimism thanks to an impressive crop of young talent led by Connor Bedard and a group of incredibly young defensemen oozing with potential. However, not all of those players will remain in Chicago long term.

It seems likely — if not definite — that the Blackhawks will trade out of their surplus of defensemen, and perhaps the most notable trade candidate out of all of them is Kevin Korchinski.

Chicago Blackhawks could trade Kevin Korchinski

During a recent episode of Daily Faceoff, Tyler Yaremchuk and Steven Peters discussed Chicago’s offseason and what the Blackhawks can do to try and bolster their chances of making a run next season and beyond, and while extending Bedard was obviously a central talking point, Peters also brought up the possibility of swinging a big trade.

More specifically, Peters thinks Chicago should move at least one defenseman, and he zeroed in on Korchinski in particular.

“Right now, they’ve got seven or eight defensemen all under 25, all that could be NHL, everyday players. You don’t need eight of them,” Peters said. “So not only are they expendable, they are valuable assets. So you can take those assets, put a draft pick along with a Kevin Korchinski, trade that, get a player that can help you now.”

The Blackhawks own four draft picks this summer, with three of them being second-rounders. Next year, however, Chicago owns three first-round selections, so the Blackhawks absolutely can afford to put together a package featuring Korchinski and a draft choice to land an established player who can make Chicago better immediately.

Korchinski was originally selected by the Blackhawks with the seventh overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, but after playing in 76 games during his rookie campaign, the 21-year-old has appeared in a grand total of 29 contests the last two season combined.

There is no question that Korchinski still has trade value, so Chicago may be able to convince another team to move a good veteran in such a deal.

The post Blackhawks connected to shocking trade involving 21-year-old defenseman appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks are entering a pivotal offseason in which they have a nice chunk of cap room and plenty of assets to swing some trades, but the most critical part of their future is centered around Connor Bedard.

Bedard just completed his third NHL campaign and is now a restricted free agent, and while the Blackhawks can match any offer made to the young center, Chicago cannot ignore this elephant in the room.

The 20-year-old racked up 30 goals and 45 assists this past season and was the driving force behind the Blackhawks improving from 61 points to 72 points between the last two years, so why should general manager Kyle Davidson hesitate in securing Bedard’s contract?

Tyler Yaremchuk of Daily Faceoff thinks the Blackhawks should act now, not only to get Bedard locked up, but so they can get a better understanding of their future, as well.

Chicago Blackhawks urged to extend Connor Bedard now

Bedard has insisted that he isn’t really thinking about what his long-term deal could look like, but that is probably just diplomacy on his part.

There is no question that the former No. 1 overall pick has a chance to become the highest-paid player in the league, and Chicago obviously knows that, too. The last thing the Blackhawks need is a disgruntled Bedard, and Yaremchuk explained the situation very well.

“This summer, they have $40 million in cap space. They’re projected to have north of $80 million the following summer,” Yaremchuk said. “If it costs you [$16-18 million], I just think you need to go and get Connor Bedard locked up for the full max term, just to get that cost certainty so you can build around him and know exactly how much you have to spend in each of the next few summers.”

Yaremchuk makes a terrific point. Chicago has missed the playoffs six years in a row, its longest drought since 1952. The Blackhawks absolutely cannot screw this up. Not just in terms of Bedard individually, but also regarding their overall financial situation.

If Chicago acts quickly and signs Bedard to a lucrative extension now, it would keep its star player happy while also giving the Blackhawks a blueprint on how they can attack the rest of the roster.

The post Blackhawks linked to big Connor Bedard move that would change their future appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Blackhawks fans are longing for the days when they won three Stanley Cup championships within a span of six seasons between 2010 and 2015, which was also smack dab in the middle of a run where the Blackhawks made nine straight playoff appearances.

Things have not been quite as swell since.

Chicago has only made it to the postseason once since last winning a Stanley Cup and has missed the playoffs six years in a row, its longest drought since 1952. The Blackhawks went 29-39-14 this past season, finishing last in the Central Division by a significant margin.

However, there seems to be hope for the future in the Windy City, as the Blackhawks have shown improvement over the last couple of seasons. They have also positioned themselves for a pretty exciting offseason, as they own a nice chunk of cap room and could swing some trades.

Steve Peters and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed the latter during a recent episode of the Daily Faceoff.

Chicago Blackhawks could do some wheeling and dealing

Peters was encouraged with what he saw from Chicago in 2025-26 and thinks the Blackhawks are absolutely a team to watch this summer.

“So you can take those assets, put a draft pick along with a Kevin Korchinski, trade that, get a player that can help you now,” Peters said. “… You look at Anaheim, Utah and San Jose, all getting that youth and that speed, and they see the future. Chicago is there, they’re just two years behind, and they might be the best of the four teams that are in that group when they get through this rebuild, and you have to do it by sprinkling in the right pieces around the young talent.”

Chicago owns four draft picks this year, with three of them coming in the second round. Next summer, the Blackhawks will have a trio of first-round draft choices at their disposal, so between Chicago’s draft capital and its cap situation (it is slated to have around $80 million in cap room next offseason), there is no question that Jeff Blashill’s club finds itself in a pretty good situation a the moment.

Peters specifically thinks the Blackhawks may need to package some of their young talent for a proven veteran, noting that Chicago has a glut of young defensemen that should probably be utilized as trade bait — like Korchinski.

The Blackhawks could end up being one of the most active teams in the NHL this summer, so it’s certainly an exciting time for the fanbase.

The post Chicago Blackhawks’ newest trade buzz sparks serious fan excitement appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks are in critical need of a spark after having missed the playoffs six seasons in a row, and they are hoping to get it with the fourth overall pick of the NHL Draft.

There has been some buzz that winger Ivar Stenberg could slip to No. 4, which would be music to Blackhawks’ fans ears. And if the Toronto Maple Leafs do not pull the trigger on Stenberg with the top overall selection in the draft, Chicago may get its wish.

That’s assuming, of course, no other teams trade up to try and acquire him.

The biggest wild card here is the San Jose Sharks, who own the No. 2 pick and may be willing to trade out of it. That could mean another team may move up to snatch Stenberg from under the Blackhawks’ noses, and that appears to be a real possibility, according to a report from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

Chicago Blackhawks could lose out on Ivar Stenberg

Chicago is in dire need of a winger to put alongside of star center Connor Bedard, and Stenberg could be the answer the club is looking for.

However, Pagnotta is getting the sense that the Sharks could sabotage those hopes in the Windy City.

“I think San Jose is serious about wanting to listen, excuse me, willing to listen on that second-overall pick,” Pagnotta said. “I could see Vancouver with motivation to move up. I could see the Rangers with motivation to move up. I think Calgary with motivation to move up. We’ll see kind of where that goes. It’s super fresh, and we’ve got what, five-six weeks? But there’s runway there where San Jose is going to be a pretty attractive team for clubs looking to move up to get basically, again, argument’s sake, [Ivar] Stenberg at No. 2.”

The St. Louis Blues are also a significant threat, as they own three first-round draft picks. That being said, their highest draft choice is at No. 11, and it’s debatable as to whether or not the Sharks would want to move down that far.

What San Jose decides to do with the No. 2 overall pick will almost surely have a major impact on what the Blackhawks can do at No. 4. Hopefully, things fall into place for Chicago, but at this point, it’s looking rather bleak.

The post Blackhawks slapped with brutal NHL Draft news that could squash one big hope appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago sports are not built around one team, one season or one kind of fan. The city has year-round coverage because the calendar never really goes quiet. When the Bears slow down, the Bulls or Blackhawks are in motion. When baseball starts, the Cubs and White Sox pull attention in opposite directions across town.

That is what makes Chicago different. Coverage stretches across leagues, neighborhoods, rivalries and media habits.

The Big Four Aren’t the Whole Map

Most people start with the Bears, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox. That makes sense. They carry decades of history, huge fan bases and national recognition. But Chicago sports coverage goes wider than that.

The Blackhawks, Fire and Sky all add their own layers. College sports, local prospects, minor-league updates and neighborhood-level fandom make the picture even broader. A good beginner’s guide to Chicago’s sports teams shows why the city is not easy to summarize in one season or one league.

The Coverage Stack

Chicago sports coverage works in layers.

• Live games: the obvious starting point.
• Beat reporting: daily updates from practices, injuries and roster changes.
• Analysis: what a trade, draft pick or coaching move actually means.
• Podcasts and radio: where fan arguments get louder and more personal.
• Social clips: highlights, quotes and reactions spreading in minutes.
• Fan forums: the place where optimism and panic often sit side by side.

That stack is why one game can turn into a full week of discussion.

Following Chicago Sports Across Devices

The modern Chicago fan rarely follows everything from one screen. Scores come through apps. Clips show up on social media. Podcasts play during commutes. Articles get saved for later. Some fans manage logins across phones, laptops, tablets and smart TVs.

For people who care about stable account access or consistent privacy settings across devices, a tool like PIA dedicated ip can sit inside the broader tech setup. It is not the center of sports coverage, but it can be one piece of how someone manages their online routine.

A City With More Than One Sports Identity

Chicago does not have one single sports personality. The North Side and South Side baseball split alone makes that clear. The Bears create a different kind of citywide noise than the Bulls. The Blackhawks bring another tradition. The Sky have built their own modern fan base.

A broader look at Chicago sports teams makes that variety obvious. The city’s coverage is wide because the teams serve different audiences, histories and rituals.

Where Local Networks Changed the Picture

The media side matters too. Local broadcasts, team-owned channels and regional sports coverage shape how fans follow games when they are not in the building.

Recent moves around comprehensive Chicago sports coverage show how networks are trying to serve fans who want more than live games. Pregame shows, postgame reaction and around-the-clock programming all expand the sports conversation.

The Real Width of the Chicago Sports Beat

Chicago sports coverage is wide because the city gives reporters and fans too much to ignore. There is always another matchup, another rumor, another rebuild, another hot streak, another collapse or another reason to argue.

The beat does not end when the game ends. In Chicago, that is often when it really starts.

The post How Wide Is Coverage of Chicago Sports? appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks were able to get the fourth pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, thanks to the ping-pong balls going against them. This was the furthest down they could wind up in the lottery, but there is still a bevy of talent available for them to select. The Athletic did a mock draft following the NHL Draft Lottery, but who did they have the Blackhawks taking? Let’s take a closer look at what general manager Kyle Davidson could do when the team is on the clock.

The Chicago Blackhawks add a solid defenseman in The Athletic’s 2026 NHL mock draft

The Athletic did a mock draft of the lottery teams, and each team’s writer would select the player. Chicago’s Scott Powers would have the Blackhawks taking defenseman Carson Carels of the Western Hockey League with the fourth pick. Below is what he wrote regarding the selection:

“The Blackhawks would love to add another elite forward to their roster pool, but they’d be left with little choice if the draft played out this way. In a draft with a lot of high-end defensemen, this would present the Blackhawks with the opportunity to draft whomever they see as the best defenseman. Carels would check a lot of boxes for them as a left-handed defenseman who is big, physical, competitive and possesses a hard shot. He could be na ideal defensive partner for Artyom Levshunov or Sam Rinzel, the Blackhawks’ two defenseman first-round picks. I do think the Blackhawks would listen to trade offers for this pick.”

The first three picks saw Gavin McKenna go to Toronto, Ivar Stenberg go to San Jose, and Caleb Malhotra go to Vancouver. With two wingers and a center off the board, this is not the ideal draft board for the Blackhawks. You’d like to think trading the fourth pick could be on the table if this is how things play out. He has played the previous three years in the WHL for the Prince George Cougars and really stepped up offensively this season. He played in 58 regular season games and recorded 73 points (20 goals, 53 assists) with a +23 goal differential on the ice. In the 10 playoff games, he recorded 10 points (one goal, nine assists), so he can be an immediate impactful player.

It will be intriguing to see what the Blackhawks think of Carels if he’s on the board when they are on the clock.

The post Chicago Blackhawks land elite defenseman in The Athletic’s NHL mock draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks entered the 2026 NHL Draft lottery with a good chance to pick inside the top two. They had the second-worst record and with lottery odds, they could pick no worse than fourth.

With a draft that features prospects Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, landing the top pick was the ideal situation. But as the lottery took place, the Blackhawks fell early, and kept falling as they revealed the picks.

Toronto took home the No. 1 overall pick and San Jose also moved up to No. 2. Both beat the odds to get where they ended up while both Chicago and Vancouver fell. It wasn’t ideal and now, the Blackhawks are being considered a loser from Tuesday night.

Chicago Blackhawks named a loser in 2026 NHL Draft Lottery

With the Blackhawks still in a rebuild, this was another chance to add a big player to the roster. Potentially a star, as well to go along with Connor Bedard on the front line. But that isn’t happening and now, they are being labeled as one of the losers in the draft.

The USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Brehm wrote on his winners and losers, here is what he said about the Blackhawks:

The Blachawks, the league’s second-worst team, could have had Stenberg or McKenna to play alongside Connor Bedard and Anton Frondell. But they drop to the fourth pick.

Picking fourth is a disappointment but it’s not the end of the world. The Blackhawks could still land a premier talent at No. 4 overall. Right now, they are being mocked to land Boston University’s Caleb Malhotra, a center that could provide a boost to the position.

The Blackhawks will certainly do their homework on the prospects. But for now, it’s hard to not feel a little disappointment.

The post Chicago Blackhawks named loser early in offseason appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The ping pong balls have spoken, and the Chicago Blackhawks will pick fourth in the 2026 NHL draft. They dropped two spots from having the second-worst record in the NHL last season, with a 13.5% chance of winning the first overall pick heading into the draw. It was as far as they could drop in the draft.

Your 2026 NHL Draft Lottery results are LOCKED 🔒

Where did your team land? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/r41q8Af62f

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 5, 2026

The Maple Leafs won the draft lottery and will likely draft Penn State superstar Gavin McKenna, with the Sharks winning the second pick and the Canucks dropping to the third pick. All in all, it was a very disappointing night for the Blackhawks and their fans.

Chicago Blackhawks at pick No. 4

Several things are tough to swallow: going from the second pick to the fourth, and the fact that the Blackhawks won’t get that conditional pick from the Panthers. Not to mention it was the Blackhawks’ fourth straight year of last-place finishes. They got the fortune with Connor Bedard a few years ago, but this was quite the opposite of fortune.

What will the fourth overall selection look like? Several mocks have the fourth spot being a landing place for defensemen Chase Reid, Carson Carels, or Alberts Smits. Going with a defenseman would not necessarily be surprising for the Blackhawks.

There is also the possibility of using the pick in a trade. The Blackhawks have assets, and it’s really time to take a big step forward. Do they go bold? It really feels like they should; this rebuild process has inched along for six seasons now. A rebuild can only be inched along so long before making a big move, and the young core and team are over being bottom feeders.

Davidson showed he can gain draft picks and build a farm; now we see what he can do to take the next step. This fourth pick could be key ammunition for that next step.

The post Chicago Blackhawks drop to the fourth pick in 2026 NHL draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks just went through another season of their rebuild, missing the playoffs again. Now, the Blackhawks enter yet another offseason which is critical to the future.

This year, they will have a guaranteed top four pick for the NHL Draft hoping to land No. 1 overall and top prospect Gavin McKenna. But what will they do in free agency? This won’t be a strong free agency class this offseason, so the options will be limited for the Blackhawks.

However, there are still some intriguing options and one reporter believes they will make a run at them.

Will Chicago Blackhawks make a run at top unrestricted free agents?

The big fish in the free agent market have already signed and won’t be hitting the market. With players like Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panari and Adrian Kempe off the market, it’s put a damper on the excitement of landing a big fish.

But Matt Larkin of the Daily Faceoff, the Blackhawks are expected to make a run at some other top free agents:

Chicago could take a run at the top remaining UFA, Sabres right winger Alex Tuch, or breakout Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh, and they have the cap space to overpay and win a bidding war, but Davidson also needs to consider the trade route. He’s in an advantageous position with a prospect pool so incredibly deep that his 10^th-best youngster might be a top prospect on several other NHL teams. You can spare a Moore or a Sacha Boisvert, for instance, when Frondell and probably Kantserov project to be fixtures next season and beyond.

There’s some room for Davidson to make a splash. But as Larkin notes, it could be through the trade market. Getting one of the top two in McKenna or Ivar Stenberg would be huge for the Blackhawks. Even so, they need to find a way to build around Connor Bedard and get more talent for the young star.

It should be another interesting offseason for the franchise.

The post Chicago Blackhawks could ‘make a run’ at top unrestricted free agents appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks have been looking to find ways to improve the roster after finishing the regular season with the second-worst record. They have a lot of cap space and draft capital to help them improve during the offseason as well. Whether they decide to make selections or look at adding a big fish via free agency or trade, Chicago could be massive players in the offseason.

After the Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the annual tradition of trying to move off one of the top stars in the sport continues. Let’s take a look at why one outlet believes the Blackhawks could be the landing spot for a superstar.

Bleacher Report names the Chicago Blackhawks as a potential Connor McDavid landing spot

Bleacher Report’s Lyle Fitzsimmons wrote an article highlighting some potential landing spots for Connor McDavid if he were to be traded this offseason. Buckle up, Blackhawks fans, as they were listed as a possible home for the three-time Hart Trophy winner. Below is a snippet of what Fitzsimmons wrote about Chicago:

“The Blackhawks are loaded with cap space and prospects, and it’s hard to imagine just how much league boss Gary Bettman would relish seeing the game’s best player in an Original Six market alongside a young star like Connor McDavid. But they’re not nearly as close to contending as the Sharks, having finished 31st of 32 teams in 2025-26, which won’t help entice McDavid if he’s in on the would-be destination decision.”

The Blackhawks still can be a massive destination for McDavid, as they will have a major 1-2 punch on the front line with him and Connor Bedard. They have a projected $40.2 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season, so they can easily absorb the $12.5 million hit on McDavid’s contract, as well as signing Bedard as a restricted free agent this summer. In terms of enticing Edmonton, the Blackhawks have that too. They have four first-round picks and five second-round picks in the next two drafts.

It takes two to make a trade happen, but if the Oilers are ready to build for the future, Chicago can land a superstar. It will be intriguing to see if general manager Kyle Davidson wants to swim in those waters.

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Sportsbooks price probability, not passion. They build models on injury reports, roster depth, historical ATS records, and Vegas sharp money. What they have never fully been able to price is Chicago. Across five major franchises, the Windy City has produced some of the most disorienting moments in betting history: championship droughts that ended with stunning violence, dynasties that materialized out of nowhere, and single games that wiped out entire books of carefully calculated lines.

This article maps seven of those moments in chronological order, from the 1985 Bears’ historic Super Bowl demolition to the 2016 Cubs’ unforgettable Game 7 comeback. Each one is a case study in why the biggest upsets in sports history so often carry a Chicago area code.

When Chicago rewrote the odds: a city built on upsets

Few American cities have as complicated a relationship with sports betting markets as Chicago. With the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox all competing at the highest level across different decades, the city has given bookmakers more than enough data to work with. And yet, again and again, that data has been proven insufficient.

The pattern is consistent: a Chicago team enters a high-stakes moment either undervalued, dismissed, or caught in a drought so long that oddsmakers treat a title run as a statistical impossibility. What follows is rarely what the models predicted. Whether it was Jordan’s Bulls dismantling established dynasties, the Blackhawks ending a half-century of failure, or the Cubs finally breaking a 108-year curse, the city has repeatedly demonstrated that championship narratives resist algorithmic prediction.

These are the seven moments that made bookmakers rethink their spreadsheets.

The 7 Chicago moments that left bookmakers speechless

1. The 1985 Bears: a perfect season that ended in a 46-10 demolition

The 1985 Chicago Bears were heavily favored heading into Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots, and most of the betting market reflected that. What no sportsbook adequately priced was the sheer scale of what was coming.

Coach Mike Ditka’s team finished the regular season 15-1, surrendered just 10 points in three postseason games before the Super Bowl, and then proceeded to dismantle New England 46-10, which at the time was the largest margin of victory in Super Bowl history. The Bears held the Patriots to seven rushing yards for the entire game.

Bettors who backed New England not only lost their wager but watched one of the most one-sided championship performances the NFL had ever seen. That season marked a turning point in how Chicago fans engaged with betting markets, and it planted the seed for a city-wide relationship with sports wagering that endures today. As the landscape evolved, so did the ways fans placed their bets, moving from smoky back rooms to offshore books, and eventually to the modern wave of non-AAMS online casinos that accept Paysafecard, offering faster transactions and greater privacy for players.

2. The 1991 Bulls: Jordan at +300, nobody believed it

This one’s wild with hindsight. By 1991, Jordan had already won five straight scoring titles. He’d won the MVP in ’88. Everyone on earth knew who Michael Jordan was. Still, the books had the Bulls at +300 to win it all before that season.

Why? Detroit had knocked them out two years in a row, that’s why, and the market was fixated on the Pistons’ physical style shutting down MJ. The lines didn’t notice just how much Scottie Pippen had leveled up, or how locked-in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense had become.

Chicago swept Detroit and beat the Lakers in five to win their first of six championships in eight years. Anyone who had faith and took +300 got paid, big time. Looking back, it’s hard to believe the books missed that badly.

3. The 1995–96 Bulls: 72 wins and a betting line that defied history

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls are widely regarded as the greatest team in NBA history, and yet the preseason market did not price them that way. Coming off Jordan’s return from his first retirement, the Bulls were not the prohibitive favorites that hindsight would suggest.

Once the season began, it became clear that the market had miscalculated. Chicago finished 72-10, the best record in NBA history at the time, went 46-33-1 against the spread during the regular season, and steamrolled through the playoffs to their fourth championship. The addition of Dennis Rodman alongside Jordan and Scottie Pippen created a roster imbalance that most models had not fully accounted for.

The 1995-96 Bulls remain the standard against which all dominant NBA seasons are measured, and they remain one of the clearest examples of a team whose ceiling was structurally underpriced before a single game was played.

• Regular season record: 72-10, best in NBA history at the time
• ATS record: 46-33-1 across the regular season
• Playoffs: 15-3, culminating in a six-game Finals win over the Seattle SuperSonics
• Combined record: 87-13, the best combined regular season and postseason mark in NBA history

4. The 2010 Blackhawks: ending a 49-year drought nobody saw coming

When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, it ended a 49-year championship drought stretching back to 1961. For nearly five decades, the franchise had been priced accordingly: long odds, low expectations, and minimal betting action on futures markets. The 2009-10 season changed everything.

Led by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and a deep defensive core, Chicago navigated a brutal Western Conference bracket before defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games, with Kane scoring the overtime winner in Game 6 to clinch the title.

The win shocked a market that had spent years treating the Blackhawks as a non-factor in Stanley Cup futures. More significantly, it announced the beginning of a dynasty that bookmakers would spend the next five years trying to correctly price, and largely failing.

5. The 2013 Blackhawks: 17 seconds that broke Boston’s heart

If the 2010 Cup was the upset that announced the dynasty, the 2013 Stanley Cup Final was the moment that defined it. Chicago entered Game 6 against the Boston Bruins holding a 3-2 series lead but trailing 2-1 with just 76 seconds remaining in the third period. Boston was moments away from forcing a Game 7 at the United Center, and live betting markets had shifted heavily toward the Bruins. What followed became one of the most devastating sequences in NHL history for anyone who had money on Boston.

Bryan Bickell tied the game with 76 seconds left on a feed from Jonathan Toews. Then, 17 seconds later, Dave Bolland scored to give Chicago a 3-2 lead. The Bruins could not respond. Chicago won the Cup on the road, and the phrase “17 seconds” entered the permanent vocabulary of sports betting as a reminder of how quickly an implied probability can collapse.

6. The 2015 Blackhawks: three Cups in six years, a dynasty the books kept mispricing

By 2015, the Blackhawks were no longer an underdog story. They were recognized as one of the most dominant franchises in the sport and entered the season as co-favorites to win the Stanley Cup at 13/2. And yet the market continued to underestimate the full scope of what Chicago was building. Winning three championships in six years is an achievement that places the Blackhawks among the greatest dynasties in NHL history, alongside the 1980s Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens of the 1970s.

2015 title, won against the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games, validated a model of sustained excellence that futures bettors who had backed Chicago in the early years of the dynasty had profited from consistently. The broader lesson for the market was clear: dynasty pricing is systematically conservative, and Chicago had exploited that gap repeatedly.

7. The 2016 Cubs: baseball’s most surreal betting story

Start with 11-1 preseason odds. That’s what the Cubs faced in 2016, talented, yes, but still carrying 108 years of misery. As the team rolled through summer, odds got shorter. By the World Series, Chicago was the favorite. But after dropping three of the first four to Cleveland, live markets were all-in on the Indians.

Then the Cubs tied the series. Game 7 was bonkers. Chicago leads 6-3, blows it, rain delay, extra innings, and then the Cubs finally win. The curse is dead, futures tickets suddenly worth a small fortune. A good number of winners never even cashed out. They framed those slips instead. That says it all: some paydays mean more than money.

What Chicago’s biggest upsets tell us about sports betting and what comes next

Every one of these moments shows the same thing. Bookmakers leaning on old data, missing what was right in front of them, and getting burned as Chicago’s teams showed up with something new. The market lagged when the Bears shattered records in ’85. It took Vegas years to believe the Bulls were inevitable, and even longer to accept that the Blackhawks’ run was not a fluke. The pattern keeps repeating, and it keeps costing people money.

So who is next? The Bears are the obvious pick. After Ben Johnson’s first season, 11-6 with a playoff run and Caleb Williams breaking franchise passing records, oddsmakers still placed Chicago at +2500 for 2026. Analysts called it disrespectful. That gap between what this team showed on the field and what the books assigned them is precisely the kind of mistake that has preceded every major Chicago moment on this list.

The Cubs deserve attention too. They enter 2026 as NL Central favorites, added Alex Bregman at third base, and have spent two seasons consistently outperforming their projected win totals. As for the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard turns 21 this season. The last time Chicago had a generational talent that young, the books spent a decade playing catch-up.

Vegas will get it wrong again. Chicago teams have a way of making sure of that. The only open question is which jersey it happens in, and how long the market takes to notice.

The post Biggest upsets in sports history: 7 Chicago moments that shocked the bookmakers appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Despite their fourth straight last place finish, the Chicago Blackhawks were still among the top in NHL attendance in 2025-2026. They drew 776,908 fans at the United Center, the fifth-most in the NHL, and averaged 18,949 fans per home game. Per the Chicago Sun Times Blackhawks beat Ben Pope, they sold out 18 games last season.

Blackhawks attendance: 20,397

Hawks finish out the season with their 18th sellout. This crowd is LOUD, too. pic.twitter.com/wb9hPpjPSJ

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 16, 2026

The Blackhawks were still well attended.

One can argue there is a bit of a mislead with those attendance numbers. The United Center’s non-standing-room seating capacity is 19,717, the fourth-highest in the league. The capacity percentage for the season was 96.1%, which was around middle of the road in the NHL. The point being, the Blackhawks drew more fans than most teams because they could hold more, but they filled the arena to capacity or above only a handful of times.

On the other hand, the fact that the Blackhawks could still draw that many people after being more than a decade removed from playoff success shows that the games are still a place people like to go. There are plenty of bad teams that drew far fewer fans, both in total and in capacity percentage terms, than the Blackhawks. Just because the amphitheater is big does not mean it will draw (X) people. Many recall 20 years ago, when the United Center was lucky to get 16,000 spectators inside. The Blackhawks drew under 17,000 fans only five times, mostly on weeknights against non-rival or premier matchups.

All things considered, it was a well-attended season for the Blackhawks. While the results were not there in terms of wins, and patience is waning thin, there were some things to watch with Connor Bedard and young prospects. The team’s centennial anniversary likely also helped draw some people to the games. With all that being said, it’s time for the Blackhawks to win because the fans are more than ready for that again.

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The topic of a looming contract extension for Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard was hard to avoid on Thursday during the team’s exit meetings.

Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, finished the season with a career-high 75 points on 30 goals and 45 assists through 69 games. Chicago finished the season with a 29-39-14 record, the second-worst record in the league.

Per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bedard made it clear that he thought he was ready to be named a team captain for next season.

On the subject of a contract extension with Chicago, Bedard gave a terse response to a question about his future. He wants to stay with the Blackhawks.

“I know I want to be here, and we’ll get it done soon,” Bedard said. “I don’t think if it’s not done in a month, there’s any worry.”

General manager Kyle Davidson, who recently signed a contract extension with the organization, suggested the team will have to balance giving Bedard a “fair” salary and keeping enough cap space to build a championship-caliber roster around him.

Contract negotiations could test how much Bedard wants to win, because Davidson appears ready to give his star forward a lesser salary in the promise of putting together a roster that can make the playoffs, something Chicago hasn’t participated in since 2020.

Connor Bedard wants the Chicago Blackhawks to win

Bedard said he’s tired of playing on a team that doesn’t have a chance of making the postseason.

“This kind of has to be the last year of, obviously the games aren’t meaningless, but not playing until the end of the year,” Bedard said, via the NHL. “Playing for something in the playoff standings. That’s on us as individuals. I take a lot of responsibility for that and feel like we can all just pull with the same rope.

“You saw that for kind of the first half of the year. We were in that (playoff) spot and then things kind of, we slid a little bit. As my production went down, I feel responsible for that, which adds motivation. I think all our guys are ready to make that push.”

Now it’s on Davidson to make that push in the offseason.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Blackhawks will finish their season on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, but the future of general manager Kyle Davidson was decided before the contest.

The Blackhawks entered the game with a 28-39-14 overall record. Chicago’s 70 points are the second worst in the league. It will be the fourth year in a row the team has finished eighth in the Central Division.

The Blackhawks took off the interim tag and named Davidson the full-time general manager in March of 2022. He has not helped the Blackhawks make the playoffs since navigating a lengthy rebuild. Chicago’s last postseason appearance was in 2020.

On Wednesday, Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz revealed on CHSN that Davidson was extended before the offseason. Chicago believes Davidson is building the best talent pipeline in the league.

“Kyle’s in everything we’ve expected when he got the job,” Wirtz said. “His first task was to rebuild our prospect pool–if you remember, and you were all there, our cupboard was pretty bare. We didn’t have a lot coming in. And he very systematically and very confidently rebuilt that to where I truly believe right now we have the best prospect pool in the NHL.

“Many of those prospects are now actual NHL players, contributing, and, you know, highly impactful on our team. And then, of course, you know, I think we have a really nice visibility to a pipeline of players that will continue to join the Blackhawks over the coming years.”

#Blackhawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz announced that the team has extended GM Kyle Davidson: pic.twitter.com/P1mysQX9tU

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) April 16, 2026

The Blackhawks’ 70 points and 28 wins are the most the team has had under Davidson by nine points. The 2024-25 team earned 61 points.

Chicago Blackhawks believe in Kyle Davidson

Wirtz thinks Davidson will build a championship-caliber team.

“We didn’t hire Kyle to be the prospect GM,” Wirtz said. “He is building a championship-caliber team, and so I think, you know, probably goes to the point of we’ve extended Kyle’s contract.

“We are committing to Kyle to continue the plan that he has put in place, we feel confident in that we believe that he has the right insight, the right team around him.”

When that team comes around is anyone’s guess.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Blackhawks have officially clinched a top-four pick in the upcoming NHL draft, with a 13.5% chance to win the lottery. And it’s a draft that has prized prospect Gavin McKenna.

They locked themselves at the 31 spot with 70 points heading into their final two games, only ahead of the Vancouver Canucks. It’s the fourth consecutive year the Blackhawks get a top-four pick, though it’s the first time since 2019-2020 they eclipsed the 70-point mark.

The Blackhawks are now locked into 31st place. They're guaranteed a top-four draft pick for the fourth consecutive year.

They'll have a 13.5-percent chance at winning the lottery, 14.1 percent for the No. 2 pick, 30.7 percent for No. 3 and 41.7 percent for No. 4.

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) April 13, 2026

The Chicago Blackhawks have a shot at Gavin McKenna

If the Blackhawks win the lottery, sitting for the taking is Penn State’s Gavin McKenna. The 18-year old Canadian winger tallied 51 points in 35 games with Penn State this past NCAA season, as well as 14 points in seven games in the 2026 World Juniors tournament. Previously, he tallied 129 points in 2024-2025 with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. The ultimate dream for any Blackhawks fan would be Connor Bedard and McKenna on the same team.

https://Twitter.com/PSUBarstool/status/2025414616113688857/video/1

Picks 2-4 will still have some intriguing talent for the taking. There is a collection of defensemen projected to go high in the draft. Some names include Soo Greyhounds (OHL) Chase Reid, North Dakota’s Keaton Verhoeff, Prince George Cougars (WHL) Carson Carels, and Jukurit Mikkeli’s Alberts Smits. With the Blackhawks building a blue line with prospects, one of these kids could be an anchor for the group.

Least mesmerizing Chase Reid shift #MyFirstOverall pic.twitter.com/NdQqH1mqqM

— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) April 4, 2026

In terms of other forwards, one of the highest projected players (not named McKenna) is Frolunda HC’s Ivar Stenberg. The 18-year old from Sweden recently scored 10 points in seven games in the 2026 World Juniors. More notably, he was teammates with Blackhawks first-rounder Anton Frondell on the World Juniors Swedish team.

Ivar Stenberg on Anton Frondell

"He has like everything; he is smart on the ice… He is a powerhouse. He can do whatever the coach tells him to do."

After seeing the connection Frondell & Bedard have, I can only imagine how good the #Blackhawks would be if they took Stenberg pic.twitter.com/0fZi4k1VV6

— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) March 28, 2026

This has got to be it with high picks.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson took over in October 2021 after Stan Bowman left. Since he took over, he has led a full rebuild that is now finishing season five. He’s worked to build draft capital and stack up prospects to rebuild the team primarily through drafting and development.

Rebuilds in the NHL take time, but it’s time to take a big step forward. They simply cannot be a bottom-feeder again next season.

Asking for playoffs might not be realistic, certainly not a Stanley Cup run, but this team should ideally be competitive within the 80-90 point range. They have been inching this rebuild along the past few years, but eventually that leap has to be taken. It might be hard, as the free-agent market does not have many in-prime free agents ready to sign. It might require a combination of getting creative with trades, and these kids take a big step on the ice. That’s on the staff to help develop them to get there, and the talent evaluation to find the right personnel to complement them on a team.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are getting ready for their season to officially come to an end. As a result, they need to figure things out in order to improve for next year. With their young talent, they could be prime candidates for a trade this offseason with a team looking to hit the reset button. Let’s take a closer look at one star player who can wind up pairing with Connor Bedard in the Windy City.

The Chicago Blackhawks could trade for Brady Tkachuk this offseason

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been struggling to figure things out this season, being in the basement of the NHL standings. They have some young talent, but will be without one of those players for an unknown amount of time. Let’s take a closer look at who suffered an injury and what it means going forward.

Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artyom Levshunov suffers a left hand fracture

Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill talked to the media on Sunday and gave an update on one player’s status. He mentioned that rookie defenseman Artyom Levshunov suffered a hand fracture and there’s no timetable for his return. The injury took place on Tuesday against the New York Islanders, and he was able to play through it for two games. However, after more imaging was done, the injury was diagnosed as a fracture and took Levshunov out of the lineup.

Levshunov has been struggling a bit to find his footing in the NHL. The second pick in the 2024 NHL Draft has played in 86 career games and recorded 30 points (two goals, 28 assists) thus far. He had not seen any drop in usage, averaging 19:35 of ice time per game. The rookie has some outstanding tools, but they also need him to live up to the hype.

However, he has shown signs ofn the power play, with his ability to be a top defenseman. With nine games remaining in the regular season and no playoffs once again, it will be intriguing to see if the Blackhawks decide to shut down Levshunov for the remainder of the season. Chicago has the most cap space in the NHL this offseason, so getting some players to help him mature into the player he is projected to be will be interesting.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are in a position where they can make a significant addition this offseason. There are some integral players who can be available for the right price. Chicago has strong draft capital after another struggling season. The Toronto Maple Leafs could be looking to move a young star, so let’s take a closer look at why one outlet believes Chicago could be a trade destination for a budding star.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a trade destination for Matthew Knies

The Blackhawks are looking to improve the team this offseason, and there is one way this can happen. Bleacher Report’s Joe Yerdon wrote an article discussing potential landing spots for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies. Below is what he wrote about this potential scenario:

“Whether you put Knies on Bedard’s wing or Frank Nazar’s wing, it would be a major improvement to what they’re working with now. While Tyler Bertuzzi has had a strong season with Bedard, Chicago just needs more, period. Getting a guy like Knies, who can help rush up the wing and use his strength to get to the net, would only be a boost.

“Sure, adding him in a trade would cost some of their prospects or picks, but Chicago has amassed so many of them at this point that using some to add a quality players is part of the reason why you accumulate draft picks in the first place. They need quality players to better surround Bedard and get back to the playoffs and this would be one way to do that.”

Knies can be a star in waiting as he has recorded 57 points (18 goals, 39 assists) through 68 games this year. Pairing him with Bedard would be an excellent duo that can develop together as they approach their primes. Knies just signed a six-year, $46.5 million contract extension, so it will not be a low price for him. It will be intriguing to see if general manager Kyle Davidson can pull off a trade of this magnitude.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are wrapping up another season in a rebuild as they enter Tuesday’s game with 65 points, tied for second-worst in the league. While the Blackhawks are struggling this season, the future is looking bright in terms of the rebuild.

And now, fans will get a look at the organization’s top prospect right away.

Chicago decided to call up top prospect Anton Frondell who was playing in the Swedish League Playoffs this past weekend. Once his team was eliminated, he made his way to the team and now he’s ready for his debut.

Anton Frondell to debut against Islanders

After the call up, Frondell is now expected to play on Tuesday and will do so on the top line with Connor Bedard. This comes nine months after he was taken with the third overall pick in the draft.

For Bedard, he’s excited to play alongside Frondell.

“It’s great,” said Bedard via ESPN. “Just throw him in there and give him the minutes, power play and just have him in the same role he was playing in all year.”

This isn’t a case of rushing up a prospect too soon, either. The Blackhawks need to see what they have and it’s clear that Frondell has done enough for Jeff Blashill to bring him up.

If you’re wondering what to expect from Frondell, here was the scouting report for him following the draft selection:

After registering 0.86 points per game in the Allsvenskan, Frondell is without peer among U18 players at that level of hockey. His per-game production outpaces that of William Nylander, David Pastrnak and Filip Forsberg at the same age. He had another seven points in the playoffs as Djugården earned promotion to the SHL.

So why isn’t he a lock to go in the top five? Frondell, oddly enough, underwhelmed against his own age group and early-season injuries knocked him out of some of the biggest competitions.

When he is at his best, Frondell is a hard-driving forward who can get to the interior and score goals. He is committed to two-way ability and physicality to impose his will on games. Which is why a lot of us were perplexed as to why we didn’t see that regularly with his own age group. The inconsistency is a concern, but his best games are better than most other players in this draft, which in a weaker draft year is worth betting on, in my estimation.

The season might be disappointing, but it will be exciting for fans to see Bedard and Frondell play together.

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Ben Johnson’s first season with the Chicago Bears was a success. After 12 years as an assistant coach in the NFL, the Bears finally gave Johnson his first head-coaching opportunity. The 39-year-old rewarded Chicago’s decision by leading the team to an 11-6 record, which was their best regular-season finish since 2018. The Bears also won the NFC North title for the first time in seven years.

Under Johnson’s guidance, the Bears reached the Divisional Round in 2025. They defeated their bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in the Wild Card Round to progress to the next stage of the NFL playoffs. Unfortunately, the Bears came up short against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round, 20-17.

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson attends Chicago Blackhawks game

Johnson has been keeping himself busy in the offseason. Earlier this month, the Bears coach was spotted in a Chicago Bulls game hanging out with Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. When he was shown on the Jumbotron, Johnson even pretended to take off his shirt. This was an ode to Johnson’s viral moment during the NFL season, when he celebrated a win over the Packers shirtless.

Johnson was out and about again on Sunday. This time around, the former North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback decided to catch some NHL action. Johnson attended the Chicago Blackhawks’ game against the Nashville Predators at United Center on Sunday.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks)

Johnson’s latest move quickly drew the attention of fans on social media.

“Glad he’s enjoying Chicago,” a comment on Instagram read.

“THATS MY COACH RIGHT THERE,” another said.

“WHAT A MAN!!! 🐻⬇️” a user wrote.

“Omg his kids are so cute! 🥹” a reaction read.

“BENNNNNNNN🥹🥹” said another.

“He should’ve gave his famous speech and I guaranteed the Blackhawks would’ve scored 10 goals😂😂😂😂😂” suggested a fan.

Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, not even Johnson’s presence was enough to inspire them to victory. Chicago lost to Nashville in overtime, 3-2. The Blackhawks fell to 26-31-13 after Sunday’s defeat. It was Chicago’s second straight loss after Friday’s 4-1 home loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to get to the next level as a franchise after another lost season. As the front office is preaching patience, the team has been trying to create a juggernaut with young talent, but the wins are not coming as consistently as some would want. Let’s take a look at why one outlet is putting a member of the Blackhawks organization on the hot seat.

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson is on the hot seat

Bleacher Report’s Joe Yeldon wrote an article describing some coaches and general managers who are on the hot seat. One name that popped up was Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson. Below is a snippet of why he believes Davidson is on the hot seat:

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The Blackhawks present a particular kind of problem for bettors. A team that sits 7th in the Central Division with a 24-29-11 record does not inspire confidence at first glance, yet these games produce outcomes that reward careful study over casual dismissal. Chicago scores goals in bunches when things click, and they concede them freely when they do not. This volatility creates openings.

Betting on the Blackhawks requires you to abandon the assumption that poor teams offer poor value. The opposite can hold true. Oddsmakers price these games based on public perception, and public perception tends to write off struggling franchises. Your job is to find the gaps between what the lines suggest and what the actual matchup conditions support.

This is a team with Connor Bedard putting up 57 points through 50 games, including 26 goals on a 15.8% shooting conversion rate. The offense has teeth. The defense has holes. Both facts matter when you sit down to analyze any given contest.

Reading the Current Roster Situation

Injuries alter betting calculations more than most bettors acknowledge. Oliver Moore recently suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him out for a considerable stretch. His absence affects lineup depth and shifts ice time allocations across the forward group. Before placing money on any Blackhawks game, you need to check the injury report and understand who fills the gaps.

Tyler Bertuzzi carries 22 goals in 39 games, which ties him for 6th in the league. He has recorded two hat tricks and 10 multi-goal performances this season. When Bertuzzi plays, the Blackhawks possess a secondary scoring threat that opponents must account for. His availability changes the offensive calculus entirely.

Stretching Your Bankroll on Blackhawks Wagers

Sportsbooks compete for bettors with bonus offers, free bet credits, and deposit matches that can extend your betting funds. Scanning the best sportsbook promos alongside loyalty programs and odds boosts specific to NHL games gives you more room to place wagers on teams like Chicago without committing additional capital. Some platforms run hockey-specific promotions during playoff pushes or rivalry matchups.

The Blackhawks sit at 24-29-11, which means their games often carry value on either side. Using promotional credits on a team with a 169-goal offense and 202 goals allowed lets you test betting angles on high-variance matchups without fully risking your own money.

Offensive Output and What It Tells You

Chicago ranks 27th in goals scored with 169 on the season. That number looks poor until you consider the context of specific games. Bedard has posted five points over his last four contests and has reached 60 points, tracking toward a career year. The offense clusters its production. Some nights the puck finds the net repeatedly; other nights it does not.

This clustering pattern matters for totals betting. Blackhawks games trend toward high-scoring affairs given their defensive struggles (202 goals against, 22nd in the league). When you bet the over on a Chicago game, you are banking on both teams contributing. The Blackhawks usually hold up their end of that bargain, for better or worse.

Bedard’s 15 multi-point performances indicate nights when the offense catches fire. Tracking his recent form gives you a data point, though not a guarantee. Hockey remains a team sport, and single players rarely dictate outcomes alone.

Home Ice Considerations

Games at the United Center deserve separate analysis. Home teams in hockey receive certain advantages from last change privileges and crowd support, though these factors carry less weight than in other sports. What matters more for the Blackhawks is travel schedules and back-to-back situations.

A team in rebuild mode with a young core tends to show fatigue more readily than veteran squads. When Chicago plays at home after several road games, the rest factor works in their favor. Conversely, road games at the end of a trip often expose their weaknesses.

Check the schedule before betting any Blackhawks game. Where does this contest fall in their current stretch? Did they play last night? Is the opponent on a back-to-back? These questions affect the outcome more than season-long statistics might suggest.

Betting Against the Blackhawks

Successful betting on a team includes knowing when to bet against them. The Blackhawks give up goals at a rate that makes opposing offenses look good. When Chicago faces a team with strong finishing ability, the opponent’s offensive props become attractive.

You can also consider Chicago as a fade candidate when they face playoff-contending teams with something to prove. The motivation gap between a rebuilding squad and a team fighting for seeding shows up in effort levels during certain periods. Watch for games where the Blackhawks have little to gain and the opponent has much to lose.

Prop Bets Worth Examining

Player props on Blackhawks games offer angles that game lines do not. Bedard’s shot totals and point props draw attention from oddsmakers, which means the lines are usually tight. Lesser-known players sometimes present better value.

Goaltender performance props carry risk given Chicago’s defensive inconsistencies. The team in front affects save percentage and goals against in ways that make goalie props unpredictable. Approach these with caution unless you have specific information about the matchup that others might overlook.

Managing Your Approach Over the Season

No betting strategy survives contact with reality unless you track results and adjust. Keep records of every Blackhawks bet you place. Note the reasoning, the line, and the outcome. After 20 or 30 wagers, patterns emerge. You learn which situations favor your approach and which do not.

The Blackhawks will win some games they should lose and lose some games they should win. This inconsistency frustrates casual observers but creates opportunity for those who study the details. Accept variance as part of the process. Single-game results tell you little. Long-term accuracy tells you everything.

Conclusion

Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks works when you treat each game as its own problem rather than an extension of their season record. Injury reports, schedule spots, and recent form carry more weight than overall standings for a team in transition. The roster has real talent in Bedard and Bertuzzi, surrounded by players still developing. This combination produces unpredictable results that sportsbooks struggle to price correctly. Your edge comes from doing the work that casual bettors skip.

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Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard gave a “friendly” smirk to the crowd in Utah after scoring the overtime winner Thursday night. The Blackhawks 3-2 victory was the second consecutive overtime win, after Frank Nazar blasted the OT GWG against the Mammoth at the United Center on Monday. Bedard finished the game with one goal and one assist. 

The ascention of Bedard is happening before everyone’s eyes, and the likely future captain is showing it in every facet of the game. Thursday night’s game felt like another memorable chapter in that growth.

an instant classic🤩📽️ pic.twitter.com/7PWsCPiBUc

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 13, 2026

Bedard putting Utah fans on notice.

The overtime goal was not the only instance in which Bedard stared down the crowd at The Delta Center. Earlier in the game, he assisted Tyler Bertuzzi’s game-tying goal early in the third period with an incredible pass to his fellow Assistant Captain at the doorstep. After Bertuzzi buried the puck into the back of the net, Bedard turned his head and gave a cold stare into the stands. This put people watching and covering the game on notice.

when someone says they prefer J.Dawgs over Portillos pic.twitter.com/kamtXvXjjV

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 13, 2026

As Bedard gave a nice smirk to the crlackedrtime goal, he did a bit of chirping as his teammates began to mob him on the boards. It’s worth noting that the two teams had gotten a bit chippy Monday night in Chicago, and this win completed the Blackhawks season sweep of the Mammoth. Neither Thursday’s nor Monday’s game had a shortage of drama.

After the game, the Blackhawks posted a brief clip on social media of the players heading back into the locker room, fired up, and Bedard giving a tongue gesture. One Chicago fan might remember Michael Jordan sticking his tongue out in Utah and many other places. These are the kinds of moments a young team remembers and hopefully builds on.

😛 pic.twitter.com/74U3X8bGrF

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 13, 2026

A memorable night for Bedard.

While this was not statistically the best NHL game for Bedard, it’s one that he and Blackhawks fans will remember for a while. It helped further create a more no-nonsense, no-fear reputation for Bedard. He is not the kid who needs a lot of protection anymore.

One could think that a new rivalry with the Mammoth had been created, too. Their fans certainly won’t forget it. The clips of the staredown and chirping into the stands will be replayed on NHL outlets and social media many times.

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The Chicago Blackhawks were one of the most active teams during the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, making a few trades to get future assets. Depending on how you look at it, they did well acquiring draft picks and freeing up cap space, but the talent on the roster makes things a bit less attractive. Let’s take a look at what grade they were able to get for the moves they made before the deadline hit.

The Chicago Blackhawks receive strong grade for their 2026 NHL Trade Deadline moves

Contrary to what the NHL Trade Deadline winners and losers article said, the Blackhawks seemingly had a solid deadline. In an article where each team’s writer graded how they did, Scott Powers of The Athletic gave Chicago a B+ grade for their moves. Below is the snippet talking about why he gave them this mark:

“The Blackhawks were sellers once again. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson added a few more early-round picks to his cupboard by acquiring first– and second-round selections from the Edmonton Oilers. That was beyond expectations heading into this week. Those draft picks now give the Blackhawks five first-round picks and seven second-round picks over the next three years. Of course, that’s on top of the 11 first-round picks and five second-round picks he’s made over the previous four years. That means the Blackhawks will potentially make 16 first-round selections and 12 second-rounders in seven years. The rebuild hinges on the scouting and development of all those picks.”

The Blackhawks are set in terms of having draft capital, with the next seven years being extremely loaded with capital. Whether the team decides to use those picks or deal some away in exchange for players is yet to be seen, but it will be intriguing to see how general manager Kyle Davidson is able to reshape the roster in the not-so-distant future.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the most active teams before Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline hit. They officially hit the rebuild button by trading away multiple veteran players on the roster, and are looking to rebuild the franchise in the draft. General manager Kyle Davidson will need to hit on these picks for the trade deadline to be successful. Let’s take a look at how one outlet believes they did this year.

The Chicago Blackhawks are ruled losers after the NHL Trade Deadline

The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus wrote an article discussing the winners and losers of the NHL Trade Deadline. One of the losers he wrote about were the Blackhawks. Below is what he said regarding the team:

“This is now nine consecutive seasons that the Blackhawks — once perennial buyers — have been on the selling side. GM Kyle Davidson did well to get a first-round pick out of his predecessor, Oilers GM Stan Bowman, by packaging Jason Dickinson (on an expiring contract) and Colton Dach (about to get squeezed out of the lineup by younger players with higher ceilings). Davidson also got decent value for Connor Murphy and earned brownie points with future free agents by doing right by Foligno, sending him to Minnesota to chase the Stanley Cup with his brother. But at some point, don’t the Blackhawks have to start adding to Connor Bedard, not just continue to take from him? Those brownie points don’t mean much if you never bring anybody of consequence in.”

He would continue to explain how building specifically through the draft does not work in the NHL.

“No team has ever successfully built solely through the draft. Every team overvalues its own young players, but at some point, you have to turn picks and prospects and players into assets. A 26-year-old established star in the hand has got to be worth two or three promising lottery tickets in the bush.”

The Blackhawks wound up getting a 2027 first-round and a 2028 second-round pick from the Edmonton Oilers, forward Andrew Mangiapane, and defenseman Derrick Pouliot. They traded away Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, Colton Dach, and Aidan Thompson. It will be intriguing to see how Chicago looks heading into the offseason and if they can turn the franchise around.

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Sad news struck Chicago Blackhawks nation Saturday morning with the passing of former center Troy Murray. He was 63 years old and was fighting a long battle with cancer.

“Muzz” was drafted by the Blackhawks in 1980 in the third round, played 688 games in Chicago, and was part of the team’s broadcasting crew for over two decades. This past October, he was named an ambassador to the team.

We’ll miss you, “Muzz” ️

From all of us here at the Blackhawks, we extend our deepest condolences to Troy’s family and friends, our alumni and the many fans who loved him dearly

📰 https://t.co/uSli2fiTDw pic.twitter.com/bEqGYq34ts

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 7, 2026

Remembering Troy Murray

Before Jonathan Toews wore #19, it was proudly worn by Murray. A native of Calgary, Canada, Murray had an exceptional NHL career spanning 15 years with the Blackhawks, Jets, Senators, Avalanche, and Penguins. He tallied 230 goals and 354 assists in 915 games played from 1981 to 1996. In his final season as an NHL player, he won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Murray officially retired from playing after a stint with the Chicago Wolves in 1997, during which he played 81 games.

Known for being a very good defensive forward, Murray won the Selke Trophy in 1986 and got votes for the award in seven seasons. He came up clutch on several occasions as a Blackhawk, including scoring an overtime goal on April 2nd, 1989, in the season finale to send the Blackhawks to the playoffs. In his 688 games as a Blackhawk, he ranks 21st in goals in franchise history (197), 18th in assists (291), and 19th in points (488).

What many modern-day fans will remember him for is his work on Blackhawks broadcasts on both TV and radio. Having done broadcast work since 1998 with the Blackhawks, he started as a studio analyst, then as a color commentator with Pat Foley, and then spent over a decade on WGN radio with John Wiedeman. He and Wiedeman had the privilege of calling the dynasty on the radio from 2010 to 2015, providing memorable moments for fans alike. In recent years, Murray had to deal with his illness away from the booth for notable amounts of time, but he always kept fighting and worked when he could.

Murray’s legacy.

This season has been all about honoring the 100-year history of the Blackhawks, and Murray is a key part of that history.

Murray will be remembered by Blackhawks fans for a very long time. His impact as a player and as an in-game educator on the airwaves will have a lasting impact on multiple generations of hockey fans. As will his work as a steward to the community and organization. Not to mention his courage and positive attitude during his battle with cancer serve as an inspiration for fans everywhere.

YouTube has plenty of 720 radio calls from the dynasty; no better time than now to relive them.

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The Chicago Blackhawks were once again sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday afternoon. Their final move included moving captain Nick Foligno to Minnesota, reuniting him with his brother and sending him to a contender.

With Chicago’s rebuild still on going, eventually the team needs positive results. They already have a star in Connor Bedard who they took No. 1 overall a few years ago and building around him remains the focus.

But what is Bedard’s future in Chicago? One NHL insider had great news regarding his status with a long-term extension.

NHL insider says Connor Bedard is ‘in for the long haul’

During an appearance on CHSN on Thursday, insider Frank Seravalli was asked about Bedard’s future in Chicago. He brought up an extension, telling the hosts that Bedard is here for the long haul.

“Look, I think everyone wants to snap their fingers and make it happen. This has been a lengthy, methodical and patient rebuild. Everyone wants to see the Blackhawks take that next step forward, most important Connor Bedard. But he’s in lock step with the Blackhawks organization in terms of that plan. . . He will be signing a long-term extension at some point this Summer or offseason. The question is for how much? That’s really all that’s left for the Blackhawks and Bedard to figure out. Because he’s in the for the long haul. He gets it. He sees the plan coming together.”

"He's in for the long haul. He gets it. He sees the plan coming together."@frank_seravalli says Connor Bedard will be signing a long-term extension with the #Blackhawks this offseason, it's just a question of for how much. pic.twitter.com/8Czj0lhmSQ

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) March 6, 2026

There really was never much doubt that Bedard wouldn’t get a long-term extension. It doesn’t make sense for the Blackhawks not to do it and by all means, Bedard hasn’t shown any signs of not wanting to be here.

Now, the next step after locking up Bedard is making sure to get this rebuild sped up as much as possible.

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The NHL Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching, as there are only a few more hours for teams to make trades. The Chicago Blackhawks have been active over the last few weeks to send away players and hoping to get younger talent or draft capital to bolster the team in the future. The front office could decide to stay put with less than six hours before the 3 pm deadline officially hits. However, there is one player who continues to be rumored to possibly be traded. Let’s take a closer look at who itis and why his name is still in the rumor mill.

The Chicago Blackhawks could still trade Ilya Mikheyev before the NHL Trade Deadline

The Athletic’s trade board is a way to see some of the names who could be traded ahead of today’s deadline. The Blackhawks have one player on the list in right wing Ilya Mikheyev. Below is the description that the trade board has for him:

“A big winger capable of playing up and down the lineup, Mikheyev brings a fair amount of versatility with his game. He’s been deployed as a penalty-killer throughout his NHL career and is a threat to score short-handed. Not only is Mikheyev a pending UFA, 15 percent of his contract was retained by the Vancouver Canucks in a previous trade, so the cap hit on his deal is eligible to be reduced further.”

The 31-year-old winger has a little more than a $4 million current cap hit. However, it has been rumored that Chicago may be done with trading players this season. Mikheyev has been struggling offensively, but is posting a +1.4 net rating on the defensive side of the ice. It will be intriguing to see if a contending team can make a trade offer that forces general manager Kyle Davidson to make an additional deal before the 3 pm ET deadline.

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Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno has been traded to the Minnesota Wild, as first reported by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. The 38 year old center will get a chance to win a Stanley Cup in Minnesota with his brother. As Kaplan mentions, this is a “doing right by” move by Kyle Davidson for their captain. Foligno’s $4.5 million will all go to the Wild, with the Blackhawks getting future considerations from the Wild, per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

While this move can seem surprising at first, given he was the captain, it makes more sense once broken down and considering the Blackhawks’ future goals.

The Wild are trading for Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno, where he can play with his brother Marcus per sources.

This is Chicago doing their captain a solid to chase a Cup. No retention (Blackhawks don’t have retention spots left)

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) March 6, 2026

Nick Foligno traded to reunite with brother

Foligno served as a leader to this young group, including mentoring Connor Bedard. He scored 35 goals and 48 assists in 189 games in a Blackhawks sweater, while also helping protect the kids on the ice. In September of 2024, he was named the 36th captain in franchise history, the first since Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks opted to give the experienced veteran the “C” over Bedard at the time, who was just getting his feet wet in the NHL.

Head coach Jeff Blashill has given Bedard and now Tyler Bertuzzi an “A” for now. There is plenty of speculation that Bedard indeed will be the next captain, which could happen this offseason, but time will tell. It feels unlikely the Blackhawks will not have a captain next season, regardless.

https://x.com/BenPopeCST/status/2029963667626660079

Safe to say, Foligno served his time in Chicago very well and made an impact on the next generation of Blackhawks players. He has been in Chicago since Bedard made his NHL debut in 2023. Regardless of this deadline, Foligno was not going to be a Blackhawk next season as his contract was up, and he is nearing the end of his career. While losing a captain on a young team feels significant, the season is winding down, and it’s all about the future now. It was time for both parties to move on.

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The NHL schedule has been weird this year due to the Winter Olympics, but one Chicago Blackhawks player thinks there needs to be a permanent change. With the NHL Trade Deadline looming on Friday afternoon, there are a handful of teams that will be preparing to play later in the night to continue their season. However, it will come just hours after learning if they will remain with their respective team or be traded away. Let’s take a look at what the Blackhawks’ captain said regarding playing on Friday.

Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno is not a fan of playing during the trade deadline

During his media availability, Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno would comment on how he is not a fan of the NHL schedule having games on the day of the trade deadline:

“I always thought that was stupid, personally. I just think it’s such a distraction for everybody. Regardless of if you’re on the block or not, I just think it’s a weird day. And I don’t know why the league hasn’t decided just to make it a practice day for everybody. … It’s a weird day. It’s part of being a pro, but I don’t know why it has to be a game on that day. Just make it a certain day every year and go with it.”

Chicago is at home on Friday night to face the Vancouver Canucks, six hours following the 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline. They are one of seven games on the slate, but it makes sense for players not to be too keen about the schedule, due to some of them being moved right before the official deadline hits.

Foligno is one of the players on the Blackhawks who could be moved to a contender before the deadline officially hits. The veteran left winger has been with the team since the 2023-24 season, and the 38-year-old has been contemplating his future while also being on an expriring deal. It will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks are done making trades this season or if Foligno could be another player dealt.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been active ahead of Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline, making a few moves to sell pieces off in exchange for draft picks. With this being a seller’s market at the moment, it makes sense for the team to be open to moving players for whom the franchise does not see a future with. However, there is a bit of a downer if you are expecting the Blackhawks to continue trading away players. Let’s take a look at the latest update surrounding Chicago.

The Chicago Blackhawks could be done making trades

Scott Powers of The Athletic is reporting that the Blackhawks could be officially finished making trades ahead of Friday’s deadline. Below is the update that he wrote:

“The Blackhawks could be done for the deadline. They certainly don’t feel the same urgency they did earlier in the week. They thought they could utilize their two remaining cap retention spots and pile up some more early-round picks. They were able to do that by acquiring a first- and second-round pick from the Edmonton Oilers for Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson.

“It’s possible the Blackhawks could still move Nick Foligno and Ilya Mikheyev in the next few days. If the Columbus Blue Jackets or someone came calling for Foligno, it’d be up to him if he wanted to be dealt. The Blackhawks will show him that courtesy. With Mikheyev, the Blackhawks were hoping to re-sign him, but he’s rejected their offer so far. There’s still an outside chance that could happen before the deadline. And if he doesn’t re-sign or get traded by the deadline Friday, there is always the possibility that both sides take the additional time to negotiate some more.”

The Blackhawks have made a few trades this season that have helped them acquire draft capital for upcoming drafts. With the team out of the playoff picture and hitting the reset button on the 2025-26 season, it will be intriguing to see if a contending team can come up with an offer that makes them reconsider.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the more intriguing teams ahead of Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline. Despite having a team that is in contention for one of the top picks in the draft, they could trade away some players and see what they have with some of their younger talent. There is an interesting name that could be moved in the next couple of days, so let’s take a closer look at who it is.

The Chicago Blackhawks could trade away Ilya Mikheyev before Friday’s trade deadline

Scott Powers of The Athletic wrote an article where he discussed what he has heard regarding the Blackhawks ahead of Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline. In the article, he discussed how right winger Ilya Mikheyev could be one of the players who is traded before the deadline. Below is what he wrote about Mikheyev:

“Ilya Mikheyev could also still be traded. As with [Jason] Dickinson, it would have to be the right offer to make a Mikheyev trade worthwhile. There is also still an outside chance the Blackhawks will re-sign Mikheyev. He turned down their latest offer, but the talks aren’t necessarily dead.”

Mikheyev has been a good player for the Blackhawks since joining ahead of last season. In 136 games with Chicago over the last two seasons, he has recorded 57 points (31 goals, 26 assists) while being +2 when on the ice. He is on the final season of a four-year, $19 million contract that he signed with the Vancouver Canucks. Powers did mention how the Blakhawks could still re-sign Mikheyev this offseason, which could be something that happens whether he is traded or not this week.

The team has not been shy about trading players, already dealing away defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers. It will be intriguing to see what the Blackhawks decide to do, as there are certainly going to be some teams that are looking to add to their second or third lines with a player on an expiring deal.

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The Chicago Blackhawks made a trade on Wednesday night as they have traded away another starter while looking towards the future. After a rough 2025-26 season, the Blackhawks front office is looking to acquire draft capital in order to make the team better in the future. However, they have made a move with less than 48 hours before the NHL Trade Deadline. Let’s take a closer look at what the move was and what it means going forward for the Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks traded Jason Dickinson to the Edmonton Oilers for a first-round pick

According to hockey insider Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers and Blackhawks have agreed to a trade. The Blackhawks are sending center Jason Dickinson and forward Colton Dach in exchange for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a 2027 first-round pick (top-12 protected). Mangiapane was placed on waivers earlier this week, but has recorded 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and posting a -19 on the ice over 52 games this season.

Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract this offseason, but it appeared there were some issues of finding a role. Chicago taking the full contract is certainly a way how they were able to land a first-round pick in this deal as well.

Dach is an Edmonton native and has gotten more action in the NHL over the last year, scoring nine points in 53 games this year. He was considered the 10th-ranked prospect for the Blackhawks entering the season. With an additional first-rounder in next year’s draft, the team is going to be able to use that draft capital to either move up in the draft or simply get multiple quality players next offseason on rookie deals.

Dickinson has been struggling this season as he posted 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 47 games this year. He has not recorded any points since before the Olympic break. With the Oilers getting better, this trade gives the Blackhawks a chance to get even better a few years down the line. It will be intriguing to see if there are more trades from Chicago before Friday’s deadline.

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After serving the Chicago Blackhawks blueline for nine seasons, Connor Murphy departs the Windy City after being dealt to the Edmonton Oilers. The Blackhawks will get a 2028 second round pick in return, while retaining $2.2 of his $4.4 million salary per Mark Spector. Murphy, 32, was the longest-tenured Blackhawk and was just acquired by the man who brought him to Chicago back in June 2017, Stan Bowman.

https://x.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/2028606409185567214

Blackhawks say goodbye to Murphy.

Murphy was a very solid defenseman for a number of years. While he was never quite an All Star caliber player, he was a workhorse who gave the Blackhawks 547 games and 10697:36 of ice time. Those 547 games are the 12th most games played by a defenseman in franchise history. Over that time, he blocked 1,123 shots, delivered 1,077 hits, had 143 takeaways, scored 34 goals, and had 90 assists. He also had the honor of sporting the “A” on his chest.

Unfortunately for Murphy, he arrived in Chicago just after the dynasty ended. It’s easy to forget he was drafted by the then-Phoenix Coyotes 20th overall in the 2011 draft and played four years with them before being acquired in a trade for fan-favorite Niklas Hjalmarsson. He never got to play for a postseason crowd at the United Center, only a COVID-bubble playoff in 2020 with no fans at a neutral site.

The Oilers are clinging to third place in the Pacific Division in a playoff spot. It’s not a huge needle-mover, but it adds defensive depth and experience for the Oilers. Safe to say fans will wish him nothing but the best. As it’s been said many times, he served his time in Chicago; it was time to move on.

What this means for the Blackhawks.

Murphy was expected to be traded, but not expected to net a big return. Getting a second-rounder in 2028 is indeed not huge, but an okay bit of additional draft capital for the future. Retaining half the salary was probably compensation for getting the second-round, as opposed to a later one and trading away all of his salary.

The blueline will be filled with guys 24 or younger. Only Matt Grzelcyk is over 25 among active defenseman. Time will tell if he is traded or not. It will be all about seeing what likes of Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Sam Rinzel, Alex Vlasic and Louis Crevier can do down the stretch.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are not having the season they were hoping for when the NHL Trade Deadline approached. As things currently look, they are sitting in one of the top spots for the 2026 NHL Draft as they are unable to secure many points. With another season of missing the postseason likely coming, there are some decisions that the front office need to make before next Friday’s deadline.

Let’s take a closer look at how one writer believes the Blackhawks should approach the nect week with their team.

The Chicago Blackhawks are considered to be moderate sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline

The Athletic’s James Mirtle wrote an article ranking the biggest buyers and sellers as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches. In the article, he lists Chicago seventh in terms of being sellers, and below is what he wrote about the Blackhawks:

“They’re creeping into the lottery conversation again after a pile of losses over the last six weeks, and it’s time to sell to keep stocking the cupboards for better days ahead.”

The Blackhawks are seventh in the Central Division with a 22-27-9 record and 53 points on the season. They have some players on expiring contracts who can give the team a chance to acquire draft picks. Below are some players on the roster who are set to be unrestricted free agents after this season:

• Nick Foligno
• Connor Murphy
• Jason Dickinson
• Ilya Mikheyev
• Matt Grzelcyk

It will be intriguing to see which players are no longer on the Blackhawks once the March 6 deadline hits. General manager Kyle Davidson has to make a decision on what the future will look like, and what assets he can acquire by trading away some pieces of the 2025-26 Blackhawks team.

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The NHL trade deadline is approaching fast and the Chicago Blackhawks will likely make a few moves. There are no expectations for blockbuster transactions, as they have no crippling cap deals to unload or high-value veterans to trade for mass draft capital. A series of smaller moves, garnering moderate returns at best, feels like the likely outcome.

Much of the roster is made up of young players or veterans with solidified spots on the team going forward. Thus, the speculative focus will on the handful of veterans on expiring deals.

Candidates for the Blackhawks to move.

The one who stands out the most is defenseman Connor Murphy, the longest-tenured Blackhawk, who is in the last year of his four-year deal ($4.4 million AAV). The 32-year old has 12 points with a -5 +/- and is averaging 16:30 of ice time a game this season. Contending teams will be looking for more blue line depth, and for what it’s worth, he’s been playing better recently. Murphy served his time in Chicago, but he’s not part of the team’s future plans.

The other veteran defenseman on the team on an expiring deal is Matt Grzelcyk. He’s been durable, playing in all 57 games so far. While not out of the question to move, one can argue that having him stick around as a vet among the young defensemen is worth more than what the Blackhawks would get in a trade. Especially if Murphy is dealt.

There are three veteran forwards on expiring deals: Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, Ilya Mikheyev, and Sam Lafferty. It’s hard to imagine the Blackhawks wanting to trade their captain and mentor to Connor Bedard. Unless Foligno wants one more chance at Stanley Cup glory and Kyle Davidson does right by him. Mikheyev has been a decent third-line forward, sporting 31 goals and 57 points in 132 games. He does have a modified NTC, and keeping him could be beneficial for the team’s development the rest of the season, but he’s still a possibility. The team has a handful of centers, and Dicksonson ($4,250,000 AAV) could easily be an odd man out.

Others on the Blackhawks roster

Don’t expect the Blackhawks to move the likes of Tyler Bertuzzi or Ryan Donato. Bertuzzi is under contract through 2027-2028 and currently leads the team in goals (25), while Donato was just extended through 2028-2029. They have solidified roles going forward.

Teuvo Teräväinen is under contract for another season. He’s posting “meh” numbers at best, making $5.4 million this year, and has had a recent injury. It would be a bit surprising if he got moved regardless. They signed him to be a stable forward presence. André Burakovsky is another vet under contract for another season who has also been pretty pedestrian since a good start (3 goals, 9 assists over his last 30 games) while making $5.5 million. Possible to get moved, but not necessarily high.

Strange things have happened, so there’s always potential for surprise. The odds of that just seem very low. The Blackhawks are past the point of tearing things down; it’s now about building on that foundation.

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The Chicago Blackhawks could really be a force this offseason with the 2026 NHL draft. While we have some time with the Olympic break happening, it is a great time to assess the field and look into some mock drafts. Which players are on the board that the front office could be interested in? Chicago has a pair of first-round picks, their own and the Florida Panthers (with a top-10 protection). Let’s take a closer look at who one publication has them mocked to draft and why.

The Chicago Blackhawks draft offense in the first round of Bleacher Nation’s 2026 NHL mock draft

The Blackhawks have a pair of draft picks in the Bleacher Nation 2026 NHL mock draft. Tab Bamford posted an article where he broke down the first round of a mock draft. Below is his explanation of the team drafting center Tynan Lawrence with the sixth pick in the draft:

“If the top five of our mock draft proves to be how the top of the 2026 NHL Draft plays out, the Blackhawks could be the most fascinating team in the draft. Lawrence is a really good prospect who I’m comfortable is good value for Chicago in this spot, even if his numbers since making the mid-season jump to Boston University have been underwhelming. But the intrigue comes with the next line of defensemen on the board, and what some of the offers might be to trade up to get one of them.”

Lawrence recorded 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 13 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL before making the jump to Boston University. However, he has struggled to be as effective in his first 10 games, as he has just one goal thus far.

That is not the only player Chicago can walk away with in the first round of the draft. Thanks to the Seth Jones trade with the Panthers, the Blackhawks own their first-round pick as well. However, there is a top-10 protection on the pick, meaning if the pick is within the first 10 selections, Florida would retain the pick and give the Blackhawks their 2027 first-round pick. In this mock draft, they have the Blackhawks making the 10th pick with left winger Ethan Belchetz.

“The Blackhawks already have a strong collection of prospects coming. What they don’t have a lot of is size that could impact their top six forward mix. The Hawks have seen plenty of Belchez this season; he’s a teammate of Chicago prospect AJ Spellacy with Windsor. Belchetz is a legit power forward with size (6-5, 227) who can score.”

Belchetz has been performing well in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires, as he has 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) over 48 games. It will be intriguing to see how Chicago navigates after the Olympic break through the remainder of the regular season.

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On March 1st of last year, the Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Seth Jones and a fourth round pick to the Florida Panthers for Spencer Knight and a 2026 first round pick. Not only did it look like the Blackhawks got their future goaltender, but possibly another lottery pick in the upcoming draft. The Panthers’ pick is sitting at the 10th spot heading into the Olympic break.

Today, reports indicate that the Panthers’ pick is top-10 protected. Hockey insider Frank Seravalli initially reported it, only to be confirmed by The Athletic’s Blackhawks beat Scott Powers. First, the Chicago Bears get jipped by the Ian Cunningham saga, and now Blackhawks fans are scratching their heads nearly one year after the Jones deal. This condition was agreed upon by the two teams, but it was not made clear to the public.

The Florida Panthers' first-round pick is top-10 protected, as @frank_seravalli reported.

So what happens if the Panthers do pick that early? That and more about the Blackhawks' 2026 draft possibilities ️ https://t.co/N224JzBCv9

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 6, 2026

What does this mean for the Blackhawks?

When it was unclear that Florida’s pick was not top-10 protected, the hope was simple: the Panthers lose as many games as possible this year. Now that it appears the pick is protected, the Panthers would not have to surrender their pick to the Blackhawks if they are in the top-10 lottery picking. Per Powers, a first round pick would go to the Blackhawks in 2027 if that were the case. The Blackahwks get Florida’s pick this year if it’s outside of the top-10 lottery pickings.

It’s worth noting that when the trade went down last year, hockey insider Pierre LeBrun initially reported a condition that the Panthers 2026 selection was going to the Blackhawks if they still had the pick. That was because of the Matthew Tkachuk trade with Calgary in 2022. So if the Panthers had a top-10 lottery pick in 2025 (which was conditional), their 2026 pick would have gone to Calgary and the 2027 pick to the Blackhawks.

This condition did not seem like a big deal, as it was pretty clear at that point that the Panthers were not going to be a top-10 lottery pick. Unless another deal was made before the draft, it seemed like the Blackhawks were simply getting a 2026 first rounder from Florida.

Chicago Blackhawks draft outlook going forward

Now, a Blackhawks fan can either root for the Panthers to win to get an inferior first round pick this year, or hope that the 2026-2027 Panthers lose as many games as possible to get a lottery pick from them in 2027. Powers confirmed the 2027 first rounder would have no protection.

Either way, it’s a pretty big change in what people thought could happen with the Blackhawks draft this year. The idea of having two lottery picks in the upcoming draft in a season in which the team’s youth movement is taking a step forward is pretty exciting. But, alas. Rooting for a lottery pick from the Panthers next season, while not impossible, feels like a Hail Mary hope for fans.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off a rough game on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but center Connor Bedard was able to get a goal in the game. He continues to be a shining light for the franchise trying to take that next step, but he was able to make some history for the franchise in this game. Let’s take a closer look at what Bedard did in the game and what record he now holds for the Blackhawks.

Connor Bedard breaks franchise record for most goals scored before turning 21 years old

The Blackhawks did not have a good night on Thursday, losing on the road to the Penguins 6-2, but Connor Bedard continued to impress. While the game was completely out of reach late in the third period, Bedard scored his 21st goal of the season. While it did not mean much in terms of the final score, it did etch him into the franchise history books. That goal was the 66th goal of his career, making him the franchise leader in goals scored before turning 21 years old.

Bedard has a lot of time to continue creating separation for the franchise record as well, as he will not turn 21 years old until after the season concludes. As Chicago continues to fight to remain in the Western Conference playoff picture, Bedard continuing to be able to score can keep the team in the race. Bedard has been struggling to find the back of the net since returning from his injury, as this was just his second goal in 10 games since returning after a month.

It will be intriguing to see how Chicago and Bedar are able to play as they are on a four-game losing streak now. With the NHL Olympic freeze coming next week, this is a chance to end this part of the season with some momentum, led by their franchise star.

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Showtime has finally done it. Former Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane officially made NHL history on Thursday night.

More news: Chicago Bears lose Ian Cunningham to Atlanta Falcons GM position

During the 2nd period of the Detroit Red Wings’ Thursday night game with the Washington Capitals, Patrick Kane scored a game tying goal to get his 1,375th career point.

Patrick Kane is now the NHL all time points leader among American-born players

More news: This Chicago Blackhawks star is their biggest trade piece ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline

Kane has officially passed Mike Modano to become the official all time point leader by an American-born player in the history of NHL.

https://Twittercom/nhl/status/2017053272645816823?

Number 88 is currently in his 19th season and is not slowing down one bit. In his 15 seasons in Chicago, Kane had the second most points in franchise history. And now, he has officially proved himself to be the greatest American-born hockey player of all time.

If only he was able to break this record in a Blackhawks jersey instead.

1,375 POINTS AND COUNTING FOR PATRICK KANE 🔥

Showtime passes Mike Modano for the most points all-time by a US-born player 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/N9SLauQ5Ca

— ESPN (@espn) January 30, 2026

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The Chicago Blackhawks were badly outlasted by the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.

More News: Blackhawks activate Connor Bedard ahead of Friday’s game

The Blackhawks entered the third period tied 1-1, but the Panthers went on a four-goal run to end the contest with a 5-1 defeat in front of 19,313 fans at the United Center.

Before Friday’s 3-1 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago was sitting at .500 with a 21-21 record. After a two-game home stand this weekend, the Blackhawks are 21-23, and five points behind the San Jose Sharks for the last spot in the Wild Card.

Third-year forward Connor Bedard has scored just three total points and one goal in eight games since returning from his right shoulder injury. The Blackhawks recently moved him to wing, and head coach Jeff Blashill has been tinkering with the lineup to try and give the offense a boost.

Per Gail Kauchak of The Hockey Writers, Blashill told reporters after Sunday night’s loss that he thought he might have “hurt” Bedard by switching the lines.

“You’re out for a long time, it’s hard to get your mojo back…we’ve kind of played with the lines,” Blashill said. “Maybe that’s hurt him. Sometimes you’re trying to spark guys & you end up hurting him by making too many changes.”

Blashill on sparking Bedard: #Blackhawks

"You're out for a long time, it's hard to get your mojo back…we've kind of played with the lines. Maybe that's hurt him. Sometimes you're trying to spark guys & you end up hurting him by making too many changes."

— Gail Kauchak (@littlegailk) January 26, 2026

The Chicago Blackhawks need Connor Bedard to find his mojo

More News: Blackhawks star is their biggest trade piece ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline

The Blackhawks were unable to convert on there of their power play opportunities against the Panthers. Blashill suggested that while he doesn’t want to continue changing up the top two lines, Chicago might need to switch personnel for the power play.

“We have to break the puck in better, and we have to win more loose-puck recoveries,” Blashill said, via Ben Pope of the Chicago Tribune.

The Blackhawks will next play the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. The 29-14-10 Wild will be a challenge for Chicago before they travel to play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.

It’ll be interesting to see what lines Blashill sticks with. Right now, he has Bedard in a funk coming off of his injury. For the Blackhawks to stay competitive, Bedard needs his mojo back.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Blackhawks are fighting to be in the postseason picture as they are currently five points out of the final Western Conference Wild Card spot. The team has some intriguing options that they can make as we are getting closer to the NHL Trade Deadline. Chicago has some pieces that they can move ahead of the deadline, so let’s take a closer look at what their biggest piece is right now.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ biggest trade piece is Connor Murphy

NHL’s Adam Gretz wrote an article discussing every team’s best bargaining chip they can use at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. For the Blackhawks, Connor Murphy’s name was selected and he wrote the following about why he believes this is the case:

“The Blackhawks have shown some improvement this season, but are still probably not quite ready for a playoff spot. They figure to be sellers again, but should not be in a full teardown mode. Eventually, they need to start focusing on talent acquisition. Still, Murphy could be an attractive option on the trade market given his strong defensive and physical play, and the fact that there aren’t many defensemen likely to be available.

“The Blackhawks also have a number of young defensemen just breaking into the NHL who need bigger roles and minutes. He has been a strong, reliable player on some bad teams in Chicago, and now he might get a chance to play for a contender after the deadline.”

Murphy is a solid veteran who is in the final year of a four-year contract worth $17.6 million. With a $4.4 million average annual value this year, and that number being closer to $2 million with where we are in the season, this is something a contending team could view as a valuable addition for a playoff push. Murphy has nine points (two goals, seven assists) through 50 games thus far and has shown himself to be a strong defenseman on the ice. This would be a sentimental hit as well, though, with Murphy being the longest-tenured Blackhawks player on the roster.

It will be intriguing to see if the Blackhawks decide to move him and if so, what return he brings for the franchise.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are set to host the Washington Capitols on Friday night at the United Center. With Alexander Ovechkin coming to town, there’s some star power on the ice in Chicago.

But now, another star is set to make his return for the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks announced some roster moves ahead of Friday’s game including activating Connor Bedard from injured reserve:

Chicago Blackhawks announce roster moves

The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that the team has activated forward Connor Bedard (upper body) from injured reserve. Additionally, the team has recalled defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Bedard, 20, has posted 44 points (19G, 25A) in 31 games during the 2025-26 campaign. He leads all club skaters with 25 assists and 44 points, while his 19 goals rank second. Bedard was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Month for November, recording 10 goals and 23 points in 14 games. He’s currently four goals shy of matching his career high from last season.

Korchinski, 21, has skated in 32 games with the IceHogs this season, logging 19 points (2G, 17A). He shares second on the team and leads all club blueliners with 17 assists this season. He also leads all Rockford defensemen with 19 points.

Commesso, 23, has competed in 19 games with Rockford during the 2025-26 season, notching a 6-11-3 record, a .909 save percentage, a 2.72 goals-against average and one shutout.

The Blackhawks play the Washington Capitals tonight at United Center at 7:00 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on CHSN and heard on WGN Radio.

via the Blackhawks

Bedard was hurt in the Dec. 12 loss to the St. Louis Blues, missing 12 games. The Blackhawks went 5-6-1 in those 12 games without Bedard but have won four-straight.

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Patrick Kane made history Wednesday night scoring his 500th career NHL goal, becoming the 50th player to accomplish that feat. Kane scored his 499th earlier in the evening in the Red Wings 5-1 victory over the Canucks. His milestone tally came on an empty net wrister with 3:53 left in the third period.

The 37-year old winger and future Hall of Famer scored 446 of his 500 goals with the Chicago Blackhawks.

SHOWTIME'S GOT 500 NHL GOALS‼️ pic.twitter.com/PQfeu7TTLk

— NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2026

Blackhawks fans still love Patrick Kane

Even if it makes some Blackhawks fans sick seeing him do it in a Red Wings jersey, there is still much love for Kane in Chicago. It’s just too bad that the milestone goal could not happen in a Blackhawks sweater at the United Center. Remember that his 400th career goal was scored in front of zero fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As expected, the Blackhawks social media team acknowledged the milestone of arguably the best player in franchise history.

showtime gets his 500th🥹

congratulations @88PKane !!🎬 https://t.co/fLLaLbfrev

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 9, 2026

It’s hard to believe Kane last wore a Blackhawks sweater on February 22, 2023. He spent 19 games with the Rangers after being traded that year and has since played 152 games with Detroit, tallying 49 goals and 83 assists with the Wings. Even at an older age, he has shown he can still play solid hockey; he’s averaged 21 goals and 53 points over his last two full seasons.

Kane could have one more shot at glory if the Wings make the playoffs. He can add to his career 53 playoff goals and 138 playoff points.

Patrick Kane makes NHL history

Kane is often called the best American-born player in NHL history, or at least one of them with Mike Modano still having the goal edge (561). He is now one of six active players with 500 goals or more, including Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Evgeni Malkin, and John Tavares. All of those players made their NHL debuts between 2005 and 2008.

In terms of catching other Blackhawks greats, Kane is 13 goals away from catching Jeremy Roenick, 25 away from former teammate Marian Hossa, and 41 away from Stan Mikita. He has a ways to go to catch Bobby Hull, who scored 610 NHL goals.

No matter what sweater, Kane’s legacy lives forever in Chicago. Third-most goals in franchise history and a catalyst in three Stanley Cup championships will never be forgotten. He should retire as a Blackhawk when that day comes.

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Hall of Fame goaltender and Chicago Blackhawks legend Glenn Hall has passed away at the age of 94. The team made an official announcement Tuesday night, with chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz releasing a statement.

https://x.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/2009086989677810045/photo/1

Remembering the career of Glenn Hall, aka “Mr Goalie.”

Hall was one of the greatest players to wear a Chicago Blackhawks sweater. Born on October 3rd, 1931 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Hall began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1952. After a few brief stints between Detroit and Minors, he finally played a full season in 1955-1956, winning the Calder Trophy. In June 1957, the Blackhawks made a historic deal with their arch rivals acquring Hall and aging Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay for Bill Preston, Hank Bassen, Forbes Kennedy, and Johnny Wilson.

Hall would play 10 years in Chicago. He was hockey’s “iron man,” holding the record for 502 consecutive games played in goal, a streak that will never come close to being broken. As a player Hall helped pioneer the “butterfly” style of goaltending and is said to have thrown up before every game.

One of his greatest accomplishments was his contribution to the 1961 Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks. Sharing the ice with the likes of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Pierre Pilote, Hall played in every single contest that season and helped lead his team over his former Red Wings in six games to win the Cup.

Hall would end his final few years with the St. Louis Blues from 1967 to 1971. He finished with a 2.50 GAA, .918 save percentage, 84 shutouts, and 53,446:58 minutes played in 906 NHL games. He’s tied for 12th on the all-time goalie wins list with Jonathan Quick (407). Other hardware includes 11 All Star honors, three Vezina Trophies, and was the 1968 Conn Smythe winner despite the Blues losing effort in the finals.

He did all of this without wearing a mask or protective headgear of any kind.

Hall’s legacy in Chicago

Hall was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975. On November 20, 1988, he and the late Tony Esposito had their numbers retired at Chicago Stadium. Their banners hang at the United Center today. It’s been half a century since Hall suited up for the Blackhawks, and several generations never saw him play. However, the stories have lived on. One can still find the occasional Hall sweater being worn at the United Center.

In a season in which the Blackhawks are celebrating their storied past, the loss of Hall hits even harder. Recently, “The Originals” were celebrated by the Blackhawks, with Hall being one of them. The Blackhawks held a moment of silence for Hall on Tuesday night, alongside Hall of Famer Bob Pulford, who passed away earlier in the week.

https://x.com/CRoumeliotis/status/2009096496592060702

Rest in peace, Mr. Goalie.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are set to face off against the Washington Capitals tonight.

Unfortunately, the 2025-26 NHL season has not gotten off to a great start. Right now, the Blackhawks hold a 15-18-7 record and badly need to find a way to come through with a winning streak of some kind.

Entering tonight’s game, one of the big question marks for Chicago has been the health status of star center Connor Bedard.

Bedard has been out of action since December 12 following a rough collision against the St. Louis Blues. He suffered a shoulder injury and his absence has been felt greatly by the Blackhawks.

Prior to playing the Capitals, Chicago revealed a new update about Bedard’s status.

Jeff Blashill, the team’s head coach, spoke out with an update. Fans will like what he had to say about Bedard.

“He’s certainly excited to be out there and shooting, and it looked like he was ripping it pretty good yesterday,” Blashill said.

Obviously, it would have been much better to hear that Bedard would be playing. That isn’t the case with this update, but the progress he has made hints that a return could be coming soon. Getting him back on the ice will be crucial for the Blackhawks to have any chance at turning this season around.

In the 31 games he has played this season, the 20-year-old star has scored 19 points and recorded 25 assists. He has shot 18.4 percent.

Hopefully, the Chicago Blackhawks will have its franchise player back in action soon. This is a great update for the Blackhawks, but fans are still waiting for the news that he’s good to play.

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The Chicago Blackhawks saw their star center, Connor Bedard, did not make the Team Canada roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Team Canada was announced on Wednesday afternoon and there were a few notable omissions from the roster, but Bedard’s name was one of the more significant. While their roster is stacked, and this is the first time in more than a decade that NHL players will be competing, it was intriguing to see his name left off the final cuts. Let’s take a look at how the Blackhawks are seeing this for their young star player.

Blackhawks coach makes his feelings known about Connor Bedard being off the Team Canada roster

On Thursday afternoon, ahead of the team’s home game against the Dallas Stars, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill would give his thoughts about Bedard being left off Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

“I have a ton of respect for how hard these decisions are. Honestly, Canada, the US, Sweden, you have a lot of really good players that you’re going to ultimately leave off these teams. The one thing I would say is, I don’t think the rest of the league knows how good of a two-way winning hockey player Connor has become. That’s the one thing, and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s based on previous years. But I don’t think they have a full understanding of how good a winning hockey player he is today.”

Blashill would continue to discuss how the defensive metrics that decision-makers look at do not tell the whole story of how well Bedard plays.

“I’ve read some things about defensive metrics and things like that. I would tell you, I’ve studied those things tons [and] I’ve never seen defensive metrics that I trust to say to me whether or not a guy’s a good defensive player. I don’t think they judge what they’re supposed to judge yet. I don’t think we’re there yet.  We’re all working to try to get there, we’re not there. The metric that I trust is your impact on winning. The reason why I know he’s a big-time winning hockey player [is] when he was in our lineup, we were one point out of the wild card and since then we’re 1-6-1. That’s the impact he’s had… You don’t have that impact if you’re just a point-getter. You only have that impact if you’re a true two-way kind of winning player, and that’s what he’s become.”

When asked about if the upper-body injury Bedard suffered kept him off Team Canada, their general manager, Doug Armstrong, would say that it did not play a role. There is still a chance he will make the team as an injury replacement, if they need one, but it is clear that Chicago believes Bedard should have gotten the call to be on the roster.

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Team Canada is one of the most exciting rosters heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics. One of the biggest question marks would be if Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard would be selected. However, when the roster was announced, Bedard’s name was left off the list. One major decision maker for the Olympic team answered a major question regarding why he was left off the roster. Let’s take a closer look at why the young star did not make Team Canada’s initial roster.

Team Canada general manager reveals injury didn’t keep Connor Bedard off the roster

Following the announcement of the Team Canada roster, general manager Doug Armstrong would do a Q&A with TSN. When asked about if Bedard’s injury was factored into the decision to keep him off the Team Canada roster, Armstrong revealed his injury did not play much of a part in missing the team.

“Not a lot, quiet honestly. His name was right there until the last second, because we could’ve named him [to Team Canada] and then move forward. But I think the reality is, there are so many good players and we just had difficult decisions to make.”

Bedard has been dealing with an upper-body injury since Dec. 4 and was placed on Injured Reserve. However, he did not need surgery. Bedard has showcased is talents throughout the season as in 31 games, he has recorded 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) with 13 of those points being on the power play. However, in Year 3, Bedard has been left off the initial roster. This does not mean he will not be part of Team Canada though, as he can be one of the players as an injury replacement if that is how Armstrong decides the roster to be.

It will be intriguing to see how Bedard officially reacts to the news and what this means going forward. He returned to the ice a few days ago, but has no timetable to return at this time. If he does not get on the roster as an injury replacement, he will have to wait until 2030 in Nice, France.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs Chicago Blackhawks Live Blog, score, play-by play & chat

Will Connor Bedard play vs the Penguins?

No, Connor Bedard is sidelined with a shoulder injury and will be reevaluated in early January.

What is the latest injury update on Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard?

The latest injury update on Connor Bedard is that he is sidelined with a shoulder injury and will be reevaluated in early January after missing the rest of December

The post Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks: LIVE Blog, score, play-by play & chat; Connor Bedard Injury Update- Dec. 28th, 2025 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the teams in the bottom of the NHL standings, but they have a lot of talent. One name who has been a top-tier player when on the ice is center Connor Bedard.

He has shown the ability to dominate already in his young career, but he could be getting the nod to join his countrymen. Let’s take a closer look at what one writer said regarding his chances to make the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Connor Bedard is a sleeper pick to join Team Canada

NHL’s Tracey Myers suggested that Bedard is one of the biggest sleeper picks for the Olympics, as he should be part of Team Canada.

“The Chicago Blackhawks forward was on the outside looking in regarding Team Canada when the season began but momentum started building for him after his tremendous start. He’s out with an upper-body injury until at least the start of January but I still believe he deserves a spot with Canada. When Bedard was placed on injured reserve Dec. 15, he had 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 31 games. At the time, he was fourth in the NHL behind Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (55), Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (52) and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks (47). Bedard has come into his game in a big way and once he’s back, he should be prepping for the Olympics.”

This is also not the only Blackhawks player to be named on this list either as Tyler Bertuzzi also was also mentioned for Team Canada. Bedard has the potential to be the next face of Team Canada, and making the 2026 Winter Olympic team would certainly be a step forward to that. Sidney Crosby is 38 years old, Nathan MacKinnon is 30, and  Sam Reinhart is also 30. Getting a young potential face of the NHL on the Olympic roster would be critical for Team Canada and hockey as a whole.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have some players who would fit perfectly in the 2026 Winter Olympics. While the deadline for the 12 teams to submit their rosters is Dec. 31, with the announcement of players coming soon after, there is one Blackhawks player who has made a case to be joining the roster. He may not be the first name you think of for a spot on the Olympic team, but he has shown the ability to dominate. There will be some tough decisions to make, so let’s take a look at one Chicago player who has made a case for himself to be a sleeper option for the Olympics.

NHL writers believe Tyler Bertuzzi is a sleeper pick for the 2026 Winter Olympics

In an article where NHL writers suggested sleeper picks for the 2026 Winter Olympic teams, editor-in-chief Bill Price decided Team Canada should add Tyler Bertuzzi to their squad. Below is the snippet he wrote about the Blackhawks’ left winger:

“Yes, [Connor] Bedard is the leader of the Blackhawks, and if he’s healthy, he should represent Canada. And while Bedard has gotten most of the attention, Bertuzzi has been just as effective for the Blackhawks, especially in the so-called dirty areas of the ice. Per NHL EDGE stats, Bertuzzi has scored 15 goals from high-danger areas, which is tied for the NHL lead with Jake Guentzel of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The high-danger area is the area within 29 feet of the center of the goal and bound on both sides by an imaginary line drawn from the face-off dot to two feet outside the goal post. In layman’s terms, not only is he unafraid to go into the tight areas around the net; he also has a knack for scoring greasy goals. Canada needs a guy like that.”

Each country has already submitted six names for the preliminary rosters back in June. Team Canada announced the following players at that time:

• Sidney Crosby
• Nathan MacKinnon
• Cale Makar
• Connor McDavid
• Brayden Point
• Sam Reinhart

Team Canada is expected to be loaded with talent and not have anyone on that preliminary list who is considered a winger in the NHL. However, with the immense talent, they will use centers and move them around the ice instead. It would be massive for the Blackhawks’ left winger as he has never played in the Olympics before, just won a silver medal in the 2019 IIHF World Championship. This season, Bertuzzi has 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) and has played well to improve his standing in the league. It will be interesting to see if his name is among the players selected for Team Canada this time around.

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Chicago Blackhawks @ Ottawa Senators Score Updates/Play-by Play

Ottawa Senators Injury Report

Lars Eller | C (Out)
Injury: Foot

Shane Pinto | C (Out)
Injury: Lower Body

Thomas Chabot | D (Day-To-Day)
Injury: Upper Body

Chicago Blackhawks Injury Report 

Shea Michael Weber | D (Out For Season)
Injury: Ankle

Connor Bedard | C (Out)
Injury: Shoulder

Nick Foligno | LW (Out)
Injury: Hand

Will Connor Bedard play today vs Ottawa Senators?

No, Connor Bedard will not play today. He’s expected to miss another 2-3 weeks at least and will be evaluated in the first part of January.

What was Connor Bedard’s Injury?

The center sustained an upper-body injury with one second left in the third period of a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues last Friday while taking a face-off. Blues center Brayden Schenn went in for a stick lift and knocked into Bedard, who fell backward to the ice. He was clutching his right shoulder as he headed toward the locker room.

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Laurent Brossoit is finally healthy, but instead of solving a problem for the Chicago Blackhawks, his return has created a new one. The veteran goaltender has proven throughout his career that he can be a reliable NHL option when healthy. However, Chicago suddenly finds itself with too many capable goalies and not enough room to use them all. With younger netminders stepping up and Brossoit entering the final year of his contract, the situation is pointing strongly toward a trade.

Brossoit has yet to play a regular-season game for the Chicago Blackhawks due to a long recovery from injury. Still, his resume speaks for itself. In his last NHL season in 2023 to 2024, he posted a strong 15 5 2 record with a 2.00 goals against average and a .927 save percentage, along with three shutouts. Those numbers are elite for a goalie who has mostly worked in a backup role. Now that he is healthy again, the question is not whether he can play in the NHL, but where.

Why the Blackhawks have no room for Laurent Brossoit

The Chicago Blackhawks signed Brossoit hoping he would stabilize their crease and provide dependable goaltending. Instead, injuries delayed his debut, and during that time, Arvid Soderblom stepped in and proved he belongs at the NHL level. That unexpected development changed everything.

Chicago is now in a position where keeping Brossoit does not make much sense. The team is not in a playoff race, and there is little benefit in carrying an experienced veteran when younger goalies need reps. On top of that, Brossoit is an unrestricted free agent after the season. If the Blackhawks hold onto him too long, they risk losing him for nothing.

Despite clearing waivers once he became healthy, interest around the league has not disappeared. Goaltending is one of the thinnest positions across the NHL, and teams are always looking for reliable options, especially as injuries pile up. Elliotte Friedman noted that if Chicago is willing to take on the full 3.3 million dollar cap hit, a late round pick or future considerations could be enough to move Brossoit. Retaining salary could increase the return, but according to David Pagnotta, the Blackhawks are not eager to do that.

With nearly 24 million dollars in cap space and a rebuilding roster, the Chicago Blackhawks have flexibility. The real motivation here is asset management. Trading Brossoit now allows the team to gain something rather than watching him walk in free agency.

Oilers and Ducks emerge as logical trade fits

Two teams stand out as potential landing spots for Brossoit: the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks. Both teams have clear goaltending needs and enough incentive to explore a deal.

In Edmonton, the Oilers recently added Tristan Jarry, and that move has already helped stabilize their crease. However, Calvin Pickard remains a concern. His numbers have been rough, with a goals against average over four and a save percentage well below league average. Swapping Pickard for Brossoit, especially with salary retained, would give Edmonton a more dependable option for a playoff push. From Chicago’s perspective, taking back Pickard temporarily and picking up a draft pick from a contender makes sense.

Anaheim is another interesting option. Petr Mrazek has dealt with injuries, and Ville Husso has struggled when given extended time in net. While Lukas Dostal is healthy again, the Ducks could use a steady backup who can step in when needed. Frank Seravalli suggested that Anaheim has the cap space to absorb Brossoit’s contract without much trouble, and that flexibility could make a deal easier.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, the path forward is clear. Laurent Brossoit has value, the market is thin, and the timing is right. Moving him now helps both the player and the organization. It opens space for younger goalies, adds future assets, and avoids wasting a useful trade chip. One way or another, a Brossoit trade feels less like a possibility and more like an inevitability.

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Connor Bedard has been outstanding for the Chicago Blackhawks this season, establishing himself not only as an elite offensive talent but also as a thoughtful voice when it comes to understanding the bigger picture of team success. While Bedard continues to shine in the NHL, he also knows what it takes to build a winning Olympic roster. According to him, international tournaments are not about stacking the lineup with star scorers alone. They are about balance, adaptability, and players who can handle any situation thrown at them.

That perspective came through clearly when Bedard appeared on the 32 Thoughts Podcast alongside teammate Frank Nazar. Asked about what makes Nazar a strong Olympic candidate, Bedard offered insight that went beyond goals and highlight plays. His message was simple but powerful. To win gold, teams need players who can do everything.

Connor Bedard explains why Frank Nazar is built for Olympic hockey

When Connor Bedard spoke about Frank Nazar’s Olympic potential, he made it clear that skill alone is not the deciding factor. While he acknowledged Nazar’s offensive ability, Bedard focused on the areas that truly separate him from others.

“Versatility is something obviously special,” Bedard explained. “He’s a special offensive player, but he’s our first guy out there on the penalty kill, six on five, any situation, taking faceoffs, really anything.”

That trust is not given lightly. Nazar is often the first option when the Blackhawks need a big defensive stop or a key faceoff. He can be relied upon late in games, whether the team is protecting a lead or pushing for a goal. That kind of responsibility shows how complete his game has become.

In Olympic hockey, where games are often tight and margins are razor thin, those details matter more than raw point totals. Coaches value players who understand systems, execute under pressure, and contribute even when they are not scoring. Nazar fits that mold perfectly in Bedard’s eyes.

What makes Nazar stand out is his willingness to embrace any role. He does the hard work that rarely makes headlines, such as blocking shots, battling along the boards, and chasing down pucks on the penalty kill. According to Bedard, that is exactly the type of player coaches look for when building a short tournament roster with everything on the line.

Olympic teams are built on roles, not star power

One of Bedard’s most important points was about how Olympic teams are actually constructed. Too often, fans assume success comes from assembling the most talented group possible. Bedard disagrees.

“When you’re building those types of teams, it’s not an All Star team,” he said. “It’s the guys that fill roles, and he’s someone that can fill any role.”

That flexibility is what makes Nazar so valuable. He can play on the top line if scoring is needed. He can slide into a fourth line role and bring energy, speed, and defensive responsibility. He can take key penalty kill shifts and still contribute offensively when opportunities arise.

Bedard described that ability as rare. Few players are trusted in every situation, especially at the highest level of hockey. Nazar’s comfort moving between roles allows coaches to adjust lines and matchups without sacrificing structure. In a tournament like the Olympics, where there is little time to recover from mistakes, that adaptability can decide games.

As Bedard wrapped up his thoughts, he reinforced just how highly he values that quality. Nazar’s ability to contribute in all areas of the game is what makes him special, not just his offensive skill.

Now, as Bedard continues his own push as one of the league’s brightest stars, his words carry weight. If Hockey Canada wants to put together a roster capable of winning gold, listening to players like Connor Bedard might be the smartest move they make.

The post Connor Bedard explains why versatility matters most for Olympic hockey success appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks actually got off to a solid start this NHL season and sat a respectable 10-5-4 after winning five out of six between Nov. 5 and Nov. 18.

Since then, however, the Blackhawks have lost 10 of their last 13 games, eight of which came in regulation. They are now 13-13-6 and are on the outskirts of playoff contention in the Western Conference, and with Chicago having one of the youngest teams in the league, it may be time for the team to unload some veterans.

The Blackhawks have multiple players who could be dealt between now and the March 6 trade deadline, and long-time defenseman Connor Murphy is definitely one of the prime candidates to be jettisoned in the coming weeks and months.

Murphy has spent the last nine seasons in Chicago, and while he was a very valuable member of the squad in his early days, it may be time for the Blackhawks to move on from the 32-year-old. But which teams could potentially make a run at Murphy?

The Chicago Blackhawks have been linked to a trade with the Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings seem primed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, so you can bet they will be trying to buy some pieces before the deadline.

There is no question that the Red Wings lack depth and could stand to add another defenseman, so it should come as no surprise that Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News has listed Detroit as a potential trade partner for Chicago if Murphy becomes available.

“The Red Wings could use more help on the right side of their defense, so it would make a lot of sense for them to pursue Murphy,” DeRosa wrote. “He would give them an upgrade for the right side of their bottom pairing.”

It would certainly sting to move a player who has been with the franchise for so long, but let’s be hones: the Blackhawks are in rebuilding mode, and it wouldn’t make much sense to hold on to Murphy, who is slated to hit free agency at the end of the season.

Chicago has made the playoffs just once in the last nine campaigns, which comes on the heels of the Blackhawks capturing three Stanley Cup championships between 2010 and 2015. Those glory days are long gone, and for Chicago to rekindle them, it will have to continue making smart moves.

The good news is that the Blackhawks seem to be trending in a positive direction.

The post Blackhawks linked to depressing Red Wings trade amid recent slide appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Blackhawks are already shorthanded without Connor Bedard, who was placed on injured reserve on Monday.

More News: Blackhawks have worse injury news for Connor Bedard amid MRI

On Tuesday, the Blackhawks punished a young player before their contest Tuesday agains the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Chicago is falling in the wild card race amid Bedard’s (separated shoulder) injury. The third-year center is not expected to be reevaluated until at least Jan. 1.

Per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN, Blackhawks Jeff Blashill is making Artyom Levshunov a healthy scratch on Tuesday night after he showed up late to practice on Monday.

Chicago Blackhawks HC Jeff Blashill takes a stand

More News: How the Blackhawks plan to survive without Connor Bedard

“Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill called out Artyom Levshunov during practice yesterday for being late to the rink,” Roumeliotis posted on X. “So if he’s a healthy scratch tonight, it’s likely more for disciplinary reasons than performance-based.

“Blashill confirms Artyom Levshunov’s healthy scratch tonight is because he was late to the rink yesterday.”

Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill confirms Artyom Levshunov’s healthy scratch tonight is because he was late to the rink yesterday. #Blackhawks https://t.co/rePCeSgDk5

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 16, 2025

Levshunov, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, has 14 points this season with one goal and 13 assists. He’s the sixth in points for Chicago.

Levshunov will be a huge miss for the Blackhawks with Bedard out.

Blashill was reportedly unhappy with Levshunov and several players during Monday’s practice. He yelled at a group of players for not being alert during the workout.

Blashill yelled an expletive at Levshunov for being late to practice.

There might be a discipline problem in Chicago.

Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, their leader is out for at least a few weeks. It’ll be important that the youth on Chicago steps up to face adversity as the team is without Bedard against a grueling schedule.

For More Chicago Sports:

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The Chicago Blackhawks were hanging around the final wild card spot in the Western Conference before Connor Bedard suffered a shoulder injury in Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

More News: Blackhawks HC explodes at team after placing Connor Bedard on IR

Following a 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday (minus Bedard), the Blackhawks are 13-13-6 before playing at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Chicago is now three points away from the San Jose Sharks for the final wild card spot.

On Tuesday, news surfaced about what type of shoulder injury Bedard is dealing with. It’s not good for the Blackhawks hopes of making the postseason.

Chicago Blackhawks C Connor Bedard has separated shoulder

More News: Blackhawks have worse injury news for Connor Bedard amid MRI

Per Kevin Weekes of ESPN, Bedard suffered a separated shoulder.

“**Injury Update**   Per sources, I’m told the injury sustained to @NHLBlackhawks young star F Bedard, is a separated shoulder,” Weekes posted on X.

**Injury Update** 🚨 🚑
Per sources, I’m told the injury sustained to @NHLBlackhawks young star F Bedard, is
a separated shoulder. #HockeyX #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/HkJzlRp4wK

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) December 16, 2025

On Monday, Chicago placed Bedard on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 12. However, the team does not plan to bring back the third-year center anytime soon.

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said the team would not reevaluate Bedard until after Jan. 1. Fortunately, Bedard will not need surgery, but he’s going to be a big miss for a while.

Bedard is the team’s leader in points (44) with 19 goals and 25 assists. Tyler Bertuzzi is Chicago’s No. 1 point leader with 26 points coming from 16 goals and 10 assists.

Chicago will play seven more games before the New Year. All seven opponents have winning records. The Blackhawks next 10 opponents have winning records. The next time Chicago will play a team with a losing record will be the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 7.

Given the way Chicago handled its business without Bedard on Saturday night, the season is likely lost due to Bedard’s separated shoulder.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Blackhawks have spent the last few seasons building toward the future, and moments like this show why their patience may soon pay off. After a historic junior season and a strong start in professional hockey, forward Nick Lardis has officially taken his first step onto the NHL stage.

His call-up came under unfortunate circumstances, following Connor Bedard’s shoulder injury against St. Louis. Still, it also opened the door for one of Chicago’s most exciting young scorers to prove he belongs at the highest level.

For the Blackhawks, this is not just a short-term roster move. It is a glimpse into what their next wave of talent could look like.

From historic OHL season to AHL breakout

Nick Lardis’ rise did not happen overnight. During the 2024–25 OHL season with the Brantford Bulldogs, he put together one of the most dominant goal-scoring campaigns junior hockey has seen in decades. Lardis scored 71 goals in 65 games, becoming the first OHL player to hit the 70-goal mark since John Tavares did it back in 2006–07.

That season earned him the OHL goal-scoring title and served as a perfect ending to his junior career. More importantly, it cemented his reputation as an elite finisher with a rare scoring instinct.

Drafted 67th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Lardis transitioned smoothly into professional hockey this season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. Rather than easing his way in, he immediately became one of Rockford’s most productive players.

Lardis currently sits second in AHL rookie scoring, trailing only Bakersfield Condors rookie Quinn Hutson. With 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists), he is also second on the IceHogs in overall scoring behind veteran Brett Seney. That production, combined with his pace and shot, quickly made him more than just a promising prospect. He became someone the Blackhawks could realistically call upon when opportunity arose.

That opportunity came sooner than expected.

Confident NHL debut shows why Blackhawks are high on Lardis

Following Connor Bedard’s shoulder injury against St. Louis, Chicago needed offense, energy, and upside. Ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, the Blackhawks made the call to bring Lardis up from Rockford.

In his NHL debut, Lardis was placed on a line with fellow rookies Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene, forming a young, fast trio built on skill and energy. While the stat sheet showed a minus two rating, the numbers did not fully capture Lardis’ impact.

He logged 15 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time, recorded two shots on goal, delivered five hits, blocked one shot, and attempted a team-high eight shot attempts. Those numbers tell the story of a player who was not overwhelmed by the moment. Instead, Lardis played with confidence, attacking open ice and firing the puck whenever opportunities appeared.

His performance reflected what made him special in junior hockey. He thinks like a goal scorer. He shoots without hesitation and looks comfortable creating offense even against NHL defenders. For a first game, those are encouraging signs.

For the Blackhawks, this debut reinforced why Lardis is viewed as a key piece of their rebuild. While no one expects him to replace Bedard’s production, Lardis brings a shooting mentality that Chicago desperately needs. His ability to generate attempts and play with pace fits well with the organization’s long-term vision.

As the Chicago Blackhawks navigate life without their star center in the short term, Lardis’ arrival adds excitement and hope. Whether his stay is brief or extends longer, his first NHL appearance showed that his historic scoring past may translate into a productive future at hockey’s highest level.

The post Nick Lardis earns NHL opportunity as Chicago Blackhawks turn to youth after Bedard injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The mood in the Chicago Blackhawks is not good after center Connor Bedard suffered a shoulder injury on Friday night.

More News: Blackhawks have worse injury news for Connor Bedard amid MRI

Bedard was injured in the final second of the Blackhawks’ 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He was ruled out for Chicago’s 4-0 loss at home to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

The Blackhawks are set to start a three-game road trip in Canada beginning with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Chicago has a 13-13-6 record before the contest.

The Chicago Blackhawks lose Connor Bedard

More News: How the Blackhawks plan to survive without Connor Bedard

On Monday, the Blackhawks announced they were putting Bedard on injured reserve.

Via the Blackhawks:

“The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that the team has recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit (conditioning assignment) from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

“Additionally, the team has placed forward Connor Bedard (upper body) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 12.”

Amid Bedard’s move to the IR, Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill was not in any mood for tardiness.

Per CHGO Blackhawks, Blashill called out a group of players for being late to practice.

“You don’t (expletive) show up on time!” Blashill said.

Jeff Blashill, unhappy with the start of practice, just let a group of Blackhawks have it. "You don't f—ing show up on time!"

— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) December 15, 2025

The first-year head coach didn’t stop there, screaming at defenceman Artyom Levshunov for missing a five-on-five rep.

“Wake the F up,” Blashill said, via Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Blackhawks have some good news on Bedard. Per Pope, Blashill confirmed Bedard will not need surgery to repair the “upper-body injury.” However, Chicago is not expected to re-evaluate Bedard until after Jan. 1.

But by that time, the Blackhawks could fall out of the postseason chase. That is, if they don’t wake the (expletive) up.

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The true value of Connor Bedard to the Chicago Blackhawks becomes clearest when he is not in the lineup. His impact this season goes far beyond highlight goals or flashy assists. Bedard has scored 19 goals and added 25 assists, including 18 primary assists. That means he has directly contributed to 37 of the Blackhawks’ 91 goals. Only Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini have been more involved in their teams’ scoring through goals and primary assists.

So yes, the Blackhawks are going to feel his absence. Deeply.

Injuries are part of the NHL, and no team escapes them. Chicago knows it cannot replace Bedard with one player. Instead, the Blackhawks will need a collective response, with several players stepping into larger roles and taking on more responsibility. As forward Ryan Donato put it, this is now a next man up situation.

Frank Nazar and Tyler Bertuzzi must drive the offense

If there is one player who will feel Bedard’s absence the most, it is Frank Nazar. Simply put, Nazar will inherit much of what Bedard was getting. More ice time. More offensive responsibility. More pressure.

Bedard was averaging just over 21 minutes per game. Nazar has been close to that number already, but now he will be leaned on in every major situation. Early in the season, Nazar looked like Chicago’s most dangerous offensive player. He scored five goals in his first 10 games and played with confidence and swagger. While his scoring cooled off as the season progressed, the chances never fully disappeared.

Coach Jeff Blashill continues to stress process over results with Nazar. The shots are there. The opportunities are there. Now the Blackhawks need the finish. Chicago envisions Nazar as a top six center capable of scoring 30 goals a season. This stretch without Bedard is a major test of that belief.

Alongside Nazar, Tyler Bertuzzi becomes even more important. Bertuzzi has been Chicago’s most consistent scorer outside of Bedard, with 16 goals in 29 games. His strength is around the net, where most of his goals come from within 10 feet. That means his success depends on puck movement, rebounds and sustained offensive zone time.

Bertuzzi has produced with multiple linemates this season, including Nazar and Teuvo Teräväinen earlier on. With Bedard out, Blashill may shuffle lines again to find the right mix. If Bertuzzi keeps scoring at his current pace, it will ease the pressure on the rest of the lineup.

Young talent and depth players get their opportunity

Another player who could benefit from increased opportunity is Nick Lardis. It is a lot to ask of a young player entering the NHL, but Lardis brings rare offensive tools. His shot, speed and instincts helped him score 71 goals in the OHL last season, and he has already been productive at the AHL level.

Even in his NHL debut, Lardis showed he belongs. He hit the crossbar, created chances and led the team in shot attempts. Playing alongside Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene gives that line speed, creativity and energy. Blashill praised Lardis’ jump and offensive awareness, and those traits will be valuable while Chicago searches for goals.

Ryan Donato is another name to watch. His role has shrunk this season, but his effort never has. Donato scored 31 goals last year and is capable of streaky offense. With Bedard out, Blashill may look to give Donato more offensive minutes or power play opportunities to spark production.

Finally, Ilya Mikheyev quietly remains one of Chicago’s most dangerous chance creators. He has generated plenty of high danger opportunities but has struggled to finish. If Mikheyev can rediscover his scoring touch, even occasionally, it could swing games in Chicago’s favor.

No one player will replace Connor Bedard. That is unrealistic. But if the Chicago Blackhawks get strong contributions from Nazar, Bertuzzi and their supporting cast, they can stay competitive and continue building the foundation of their rebuild while their star recovers.

The post How the Chicago Blackhawks plan to survive without Connor Bedard appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Saturday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings wasn’t pretty for the Chicago Blackhawks without Connor Bedard.

Bedard might be out for a significant amount of time.

More News: Blackhawks get bad update on Connor Bedard’s injury

The third-year center was ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury at the end of Friday night’s loss to the St. Louis Blues. Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill called the injury a “freak accident.”

Without their leader in points (44), the Blackhawks suffered a 4-0 loss to the Red Wings in front of 20,751 fans at the United Center.

Before the game, Blashill said Bedard was still being evaluated. He expected to have more information on Monday. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman provided a dour outlook for Chicago.

While the Blackhawks are awaiting the results of the MRI Bedard had on Saturday, he is not expected to return to start the three-game road trip in Canada next week. Chicago will travel to play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday before ending the week with the Montreal Canadiens (Thursday, and Ottawa Senators (Saturday).

Chicago Blackhawks C Connor Bedard out for a while

More News: Bears’ Caleb Williams sets goal before Browns game

Per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Blashill confirmed Bedard is not expected to play for the entire three-game road trip.

“Blashill confirmed he doesn’t anticipate Connor Bedard playing on this 3-game road trip,” Pope posted on X.

Blashill confirmed he doesn't anticipate Connor Bedard playing on this 3-game road trip.

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 14, 2025

The Blackhawks were hanging on a thread for the postseason hunt before Bedard’s injury. They didn’t look like a contender on Saturday night without him after being shut out by Detroit.

All three of Chicago’s next opponents will have better than .500 records.

Nick Lardis, who was called up to play for Bedard was a minus-2 on the ice against the Red Wings.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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On Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard earned two assists, but it wasn’t enough to earn a win.

(Saturday night update): Bedard’s update is even worse amid MRI results

The Blackhawks fell 3-2 to the St. Louis Blues in front of 18,096 fans at the Enterprise Center.

The defeat wasn’t the only bad news.

A scary moment for the Chicago Blackhawks

More News: Bears’ Ben Johnson sends offense warning after loss to Packers

Bedard appeared shaken up at the end of the contest. He fell to the ice as time expired in the third period and favored his right shoulder as he got up. He immediately left for the locker room.

pic.twitter.com/N65FrOnOtU

— BlackhawksFocus (@FocusBlackhawks) December 13, 2025

Per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill called the injury a “freak accident.”

“I think it’s a freak accident, to be honest with you,” Blashill said.

Bad news on Connor Bedard

Blashill had more bad news to offer on Bedard, confirming the star center would not play on Saturday at home against the Detroit Red Wings. It’s unclear if Bedard will make the three-game road trip in Canada next week to play the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators.

Blashill hopes to provide an update by Monday.

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The Chicago Blackhawks enter Friday’s matchup against the St. Louis Blues with renewed confidence, and much of that momentum comes from the play of Connor Bedard, who continues to drive Chicago’s offense through the month of December.

After a dominant 3-0 win over the New York Rangers, the Blackhawks are hoping to carry that same energy into St. Louis as they meet their Central Division rivals for the second time this season. Bedard scored and assisted in Wednesday’s victory while Spencer Knight recorded a shutout, giving Chicago the exact response they needed following two tough road losses. As the Blackhawks try to build on their progress, all eyes will once again be on Bedard, whose scoring pace has Chicago fans buzzing.

Connor Bedard’s momentum fuels Blackhawks’ rising confidence

Connor Bedard enters this matchup in outstanding form. His goal against the Rangers was his 19th of the season, tying him for third in the NHL in goals. Beyond the goals, Bedard has consistently pushed the pace, created scoring chances, and elevated the play of those around him. His assist on Tyler Bertuzzi’s goal on Wednesday capped another multi-point performance, and his surge has reshaped the Blackhawks’ offensive rhythm.

Chicago’s improved defensive structure also played a key role in their bounce-back win. The Blackhawks limited New York’s chances, kept the middle of the ice protected, and generated clean entries on the rush, something they struggled with earlier in the season. Spencer Knight supported that defensive effort with a 21-save shutout, giving the team stability when they needed it most.

The Blackhawks now head into Enterprise Center knowing they have already beaten the Blues once this season. In their last meeting on Oct. 15, Chicago rolled to an 8-3 victory, showcasing balanced scoring and strong puck movement. Ilya Mikheyev, Alex Vlasic, and others contributed to multi-point games as Chicago overwhelmed St. Louis with speed and offensive depth.

Another factor working in the Blackhawks’ favor is their recent road special teams performance. Chicago currently leads the NHL in road power-play percentage, an impressive turnaround that could prove valuable against a Blues team that has struggled with penalty killing consistency.

With points in five of their last eight road games, Chicago appears more cohesive and confident, and Bedard is the centerpiece of that momentum. His shooting, awareness, and ability to create plays have turned the Blackhawks into a legitimate threat in the offensive zone, even against stronger defensive teams.

Blues searching for stability amid defensive struggles

While the Blackhawks come in with confidence, the Blues enter this matchup searching for stability after a brutal 7-2 loss to the Nashville Predators. In that game, St. Louis allowed six goals in a single period, exposing major issues with defensive-zone coverage and puck management.

The Blues have shown flashes of strong play, such as their recent 2-1 win over Ottawa, but inconsistency has defined their season so far. Jake Neighbours and goalie Joel Hofer have been bright spots, yet the team continues to battle inconsistency in both structure and effort. Compounding matters is the uncertainty surrounding Jordan Kyrou’s leg injury, which leaves a gap in the Blues’ top-six forward group.

Tactically, Friday’s matchup presents concerns for St. Louis. Chicago is expected to attack the middle of the ice early, work the cycle high, and put traffic in front of the net. This could create trouble for Hofer, who may be forced into difficult lateral saves if the Blackhawks maintain speed through the neutral zone.

St. Louis will try to counter with physical play, aggressive forechecking, and quicker puck retrievals, areas where Chicago historically struggles under pressure. But the Blues will need to be much sharper defensively to slow Bedard and the Hawks’ transition game, which has generated high-quality scoring chances in recent outings.

One thing is certain: with Connor Bedard pushing the pace and Chicago looking to stack wins, this Central Division showdown is shaping up to be a hard-fought battle from start to finish.

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The Chicago Blackhawks returned to the United Center on Wednesday night searching for answers after two blowout losses on their West Coast trip. With confidence shaken and fatigue evident, they needed a strong performance to reset their momentum.

They got exactly that. In what may have been their most complete game of the season, Chicago shut out the New York Rangers 3-0, outworking and outskating one of the NHL’s top road teams. Behind disciplined defense, timely scoring, and a stellar outing from Spencer Knight, the Blackhawks reminded everyone what they are capable of when they play with structure and urgency.

Strong defense and timely scoring power the Chicago Blackhawks past New York

From the opening puck drop, the Blackhawks looked sharper, faster, and far more connected than they had in their previous two outings. The Rangers entered the matchup with 12 road wins, the most in the NHL, but Chicago did not allow them to dictate the pace at any point.

The breakthrough came early in the second period when defenseman Louis Crevier took advantage of a shorthanded opportunity. After jumping into open ice, Crevier converted with a clean finish for his third goal of the season. It was an unexpected but energizing moment for the 6-foot-8 defenseman.

“That was pretty fun,” Crevier said. “I don’t get too many looks like this.”

Chicago kept pressing, and their momentum paid off again when Connor Bedard struck later in the period. Bedard collected a smart pass in front from André Burakovsky and buried his 19th goal of the season. The rookie sensation added an assist later, finishing the night with two points and continuing his strong stretch of play at home.

The Blackhawks were the better team at even strength, on special teams, and in puck management. New York had brief pushes, but Chicago consistently shut down passing lanes and moved the puck efficiently out of their own zone.

A major storyline entering the game was Chicago’s decision to return to a traditional six-defensemen lineup after sending Sam Rinzel to the Rockford IceHogs. The adjustment proved beneficial. Veterans like Matthew Grzelcyk stepped up, with Grzelcyk recording the primary assist on Crevier’s goal and helping stabilize the defensive pairings.

“As a D corps, it was probably one of our better games,” Grzelcyk said. “We used our feet and stayed tight.”

Spencer Knight earns shutout as the Chicago Blackhawks regain confidence

In net, Spencer Knight was calm, composed, and completely reliable. The 23-year-old stopped all 21 shots he faced, earning his second shutout of the season and the seventh of his career. After giving up six goals to the Los Angeles Kings just days earlier, Knight didn’t frame this performance as a rebound. Instead, he emphasized consistency.

“It’s not really a bounce back to me, it’s just another day,” Knight said. “You’re going to have games where that happens. You take what you can and move on.”

Knight’s steady presence gave Chicago the confidence to maintain pressure throughout the game. Even when the Rangers threatened, Knight made smart reads and controlled rebounds, preventing extended offensive zone time for New York.

The Rangers attempted to respond in the third period, but Chicago shut them down defensively and added a late goal from Tyler Bertuzzi, assisted by Bedard.

Chicago now prepares for another challenging back-to-back set against the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. Their previous back-to-back resulted in blowouts, but Knight believes the team is better prepared this time.

“As a young team, we’re going to work hard and stick to the plan,” Knight said. “We’ll take all the experience we can and keep building.”

The win also happened to fall on head coach Jeff Blashill’s 52nd birthday, though he kept the focus on the road ahead instead of celebrations.

“Our focus now is St. Louis,” Blashill said. “We have a lot coming, and we have to be able to handle it.”

The Chicago Blackhawks needed a response, and their 3-0 victory proved they can deliver one when it matters.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are once again becoming a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches. ESPN insider Greg Wyshynski released his latest trade board, and three Blackhawks players, Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy, and Laurent Brossoit, all made the list.

With Chicago still deep in its rebuild and carrying several veterans on expiring contracts, the possibility that it could become a seller is growing stronger. Each of the three players mentioned offers something different to potential contenders, making them logical names to monitor in the weeks ahead.

Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy stand out as veteran trade targets

It is no surprise to see Jason Dickinson on the trade board. The 30-year-old center is a pending unrestricted free agent and fits the profile of the type of depth forward playoff teams chase every year. Teams looking to add size, reliability, and versatility in the bottom six often look at players like Dickinson.

So far this season, Dickinson has produced two goals and three assists for five points in 17 games. While his numbers may not jump off the page, his value goes far beyond scoring. He is a dependable penalty killer, a strong forechecker, and wins over 52 percent of his faceoffs. These are the kinds of traits coaches love during tight playoff games.

His ability to play a checking role also gives him appeal to contenders looking to strengthen their defensive game and improve faceoff efficiency down the middle. Because he is a pending free agent, acquiring teams would not need to commit long-term, making him even more attractive as a rental.

On defense, Connor Murphy is another name expected to draw interest. Like Dickinson, Murphy is also a pending UFA. He is precisely the type of defenseman teams often look for as the games get tougher late in the season: significant, physical, and a right-handed shot.

Right-shot defensemen with experience and shutdown ability are always in short supply. Murphy’s style of play makes him a fit on most playoff teams. His ability to defend the crease, block shots, and battle along the boards makes him a safe and predictable option for coaches.

If the Blackhawks decide to move Murphy, they would be dealing a valuable asset. His presence in the locker room and consistency on the ice have been essential for a young Chicago roster. Still, if the return is significant, the organization may decide it is the right time to move on.

Laurent Brossoit could be on the move as the goalie market takes shape

While Dickinson and Murphy are natural trade candidates given their roles and contract statuses, Laurent Brossoit has been expected to move for some time. Chicago has been working to find the 32-year-old goaltender a new home, and his appearance on Wyshynski’s trade board reflects that ongoing effort.

Brossoit is currently on a conditioning assignment with the Rockford IceHogs, where he is getting his first game action since the 2023-24 season. He has dealt with several injuries over the last year, but when healthy, he has proven to be a reliable NHL backup capable of handling extended stretches of play.

Several teams around the league could be in the market for a goaltender as the season progresses. Injuries, inconsistent play, or simply the desire for depth often drive goalie trades near the deadline. If Brossoit performs well during his conditioning stint, Chicago may finally find the right match.

The Blackhawks will continue to evaluate their roster as the season moves forward. If they fall further from the playoff picture, the likelihood increases that veterans like Dickinson, Murphy, and Brossoit will be traded for futures. For now, fans should keep an eye on how these names develop in the trade rumor mill.

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