Chicago Blackhawks
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Chicago Blackhawks, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Patrick Kane, Bowen Byram, Roman Kantserov, Jordan Greenway, Ian Cole, Cole Smith
Key Departures: Louis Crevier, Ilya Mikheyev, Andre Burakovsky, Matt Grzelcyk
Overview
The 2025-26 Chicago Blackhawks season was another rebuilding year, as the team missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season and eight of the last nine. The Blackhawks’ 72 points were an 11-point improvement from the 2024-25 season, but they still finished 31st out of 32 teams in the overall standings. A shoulder injury Connor Bedard suffered in the summer has him sidelined likely until December, but it didn’t stop the Hawks from signing him to a new five-year, $75 million contract. When he returns to the lineup, expect him to play alongside Patrick Kane, who signed as a free agent after playing the last three seasons in Detroit. Kane played his first 15-plus seasons with the Blackhawks and was a key part in three Stanley Cup victories.
Offense
The Blackhawks struggled to score goals last season, ranking 30th overall and 29th on the power play. It’s not going to get any easier to start the season with Connor Bedard and his 30 goals sidelined until sometime in December. Who replaces Bedard as the number one center is still to be determined. Will it be Anton Frondell (12 career games), Oliver Moore (60 career games), or does it go to veteran Ryan Donato? All three are not ideal options. The Hawks do look good on the wings. Tyler Bertuzzi is coming off his second career season with at least 30 goals (32), and Patrick Kane should be able to give the Blackhawks a 20-goal season. Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore both are coming off double-digit goal seasons.
Defense
General Manager took a big swing this summer, trading the fourth overall pick to Buffalo for defenseman Bowen Byram. Byram, selected fourth overall by Colorado in the 2019 NHL Draft, found himself stuck behind Cale Makar with the Avs and Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo. He now gets his chance to establish himself as a number one defenseman in Chicago, where he will be paired with Alex Vlasic (25 years old). Sam Rinzel, Wyatt Kaiser and Artyom Levshunov are still getting their feet wet as NHL players, with just over 400 NHL games between the three of them. Veteran Ian Cole (37 years old) will help steady the third pair.
Goaltending
On a team that finished 27th in goals against, Spencer Knight finished with a sub-three goals against. He faced the fourth-most shots in the NHL last season: 1,583. He also had three of the Hawks’ five shutouts last season. That’s five more than they had the season prior. Arvid Soderblom will likely once again serve as the number two goalie.
Player to Watch
Keep an eye on 21-year-old Roman Kantserov. The Blackhawks’ second-round pick in 2023, out of the KHL. His 36 goals led the league last season.
Outlook
Rebuilding can be painful and take time when done the right way. We saw this team take some poundings last year, especially on the final day of the regular season when they played a Carolina Hurricanes team that sat out seven of their best players and the Canes blasted the Hawks, 7-2. The Blackhawks are at least a year away from being a legit playoff contender, and without Bedard to start the season, they’ll likely chase most games until he returns.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 79.5 (Over -115, Under -115)
To Make the Playoffs: (+600)
Miss the Playoffs: (-900)
To Win the Division: (+5000)
To Win the Western Conference: (+10000)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+25000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 29-39-14
Over/Under: 36-44-2
Home Favorite: 0-3 // Home Dog: 13-25
Road Favorite: 0-1 // Road Dog: 15-25
Win Score 4 or more: 16/29 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 39/53
Puck Line Wins: 16/29 // Puck Line Losses: 30/53
Front End Back-to-Back: 4-8 // Back End Back-to-Back: 4-8
Points Leader: Connor Bedard – 75
Goal Leader: Tyler Bertuzzi – 32
Teams First Goal Leader: Tyler Bertuzzi – 13
Assist Leader: Connor Bedard – 45
Shots on Goal Leader: Connor Bedard – 226
Blocked Shots: Alex Vlasic – 119
Depth Chart
Forwards
Tyler Bertuzzi / Anton Frondell / Kantserov
Nick Lardis / Frank Nazar / Patrick Kane
Ryan Greene / Oliver Moore / Teuvo Teravainen
Jordan Greenway / Ryan Donato / Cole Smith
Defense
Alex Vlasic / Bowen Byram
Wyatt Kaiser / Arytom Levshunov
Ian Cole / Sam Rinzel
Goalies
Spencer Knight / Arvis Soderblom
