Blackhawks
A preview of the 2025-26 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: Jeff Blashill (head coach), Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty
Key Departures: Anders Sorenson (head coach), Patrick Maroon (retired), Alec Martinez (retired), T.J. Brodie, Joe Veleno
Overview
This season marks the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL and, in many ways, it is a critical season for GM Kyle Davidson and star player Connor Bedard to advance forward. Davidson’s decision not to dip into the free agent market again this summer does align with his long-term plans and prevents “blocking” the path of players like Oliver Moore, Wyatt Kaiser and Sam Rinzel.
Jeff Blashill, who spent the past three seasons working as an assistant coach under Jon Cooper in Tampa and was previously the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, is now the new bench boss in Chicago.
Offense
The Blackhawks ranked 26th in offense, but had the seventh-best power play. Hawks games averaged 6.37 goals per game, sixth-highest in the league, with 43 games going Over the total. Their 34 games that fell Under the total were the second-fewest in the league.
Bedard’s 67 points led the team in scoring, but his 23 goals and 67 points were only a minimal increase from his rookie season when he played 14 fewer games as the result of a broken jaw. Ryan Donato had career highs in both goals (31) and points (62). It was the first time in Donato’s career that he scored more than 20 goals. Rookie Frankie Nazar had 12 goals and 26 points in 53 games. He joined Team USA at the World Hockey Championships and led the Americans in goals (6) and points (12) en route to the country’s first Gold Medal at the tournament since 1933. The Blackhawks felt they saw enough to sign Nazar to a 7-year, $46.2 million contract. It’s the largest dollar figure awarded to a player who has played just 56 games.
Defense
The Blackhawks were 31st overall in goals surrendered last season. They gave up four or more goals in 39 of their 57 losses. Outside of Connor Murphy (32), the Blackhawks don’t have a defenseman over the age of 24. Alex Vlasic will likely be paired with Rinzel on the team’s top pair. In playing in the team’s final nine games, Rinzel put up five assists and provided reasons for excitement heading into the upcoming season.
At 23 years of age and fewer than 100 games on his resume, Kaiser was the only Blackhawks defenseman to play more than 15 games and not have a plus/minus rating in the negative. The plan is for Kaiser to be paired with Murphy on Chicago’s second unit. Expect more growing pains with this very young group.
Goaltending
The Blackhawks believe they have their goaltender of the future with Spencer Knight and signed him to a three-year extension that kicks in next season and will take him to UFA status at its completion. Arvid Soderblom signed a two-year extension in the offseason and returns as the backup. It was a bounce back season for Soderblom with his GAA going down and his SV% going up. Boston University standout Drew Commesso has put together two good seasons at Rockford (AHL) and will push for time with the Hawks.
Player to Watch
Sometimes the obvious choice is the correct choice and for that reason, I am going with Connor Bedard. A 30-goal, 80-point season is not an unrealistic expectation. His decision to forgo the World Championships and play for his country had to be a tough decision. But his commitment to be better for the upcoming season speaks volumes. One of the areas Bedard feels he needs to be better is his initial burst and having a more explosive first stride.
Outlook
DraftKings set Chicago’s point total at 67.5. Can they be four wins better than last year? With such an inexperienced blueline I say no. Blackhawks Under 67.5 (-115).
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 67.5
To Make the Playoffs: +1600
To Miss the Playoffs: -4000
To Win the Central Division: +30000
To Win the Western Conference: +25000
To Win the Stanley Cup: +50000
2024-25 Recap
Record: 25-46-11, 61 points (8th Central Division)
Over/Under: 43-34-5
Home Favorite: 1-1 // Home Dog: 14-23
Road Favorite: 0-1 // Road Dog: 10-30
Win Score 4 or more: 18 of 25 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 39 of 57
Puck Line Wins: 18 of 25 // Puck Line Losses: 37 of 57
Front End Back-to-Back: 5-7 // Back End Back-to-Back: 5-7
Points Leader: Connor Bedard – 67
Goal Leaders: Ryan Donato – 31
Assist Leaders: Connor Bedard – 44, Teuvo Teravainen – 43
Shots on Goal Leader: Connor Bedard – 195
Blocked Shots Leader: Connor Murphy – 160
Depth Chart
Forwards
Ryan Donato / Connor Bedard / Teuvo Teravainen
Tyler Bertuzzi / Frank Nazar / Andre Burakovsky
Nick Foligno / Jason Dickinson / Ilya Mikheyev
Lukas Reichel / Sam Lafferty / Oliver Moore
Defense
Alex Vlasic / Sam Rinzel
Wyatt Kaiser / Connor Murphy
Kevin Korchinski / Artyom Levshunov
Goalies
Spencer Knight / Arvid Soderblom
Power Play Unit 1
Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Donato, Teuvo Teravainen, Connor Bedard, Sam Rinzel
