25-26 Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview

Last Season in Review

The Chicago Blackhawks are three years deep into their full-scale rebuild, and patience remains the name of the game. General manager Kyle Davidson stayed the course in 2024-25, fully embracing a long-term vision built on a growing prospect pool headlined by Connor Bedard.

The results were as expected: Chicago finished 31st overall, with a -68 goal differential. They posted a 15-20-6 record at home and went 10-26-5 on the road, showing that while there were flashes of competitiveness, consistency was still missing. Fans understood this wasn’t a playoff year — it was another step in laying the foundation for the future.

Key Additions and Departures

Additions: Andre Burakovsky (LW), Sam Lafferty (C), Dominic Toninato (LW)

Departures: Cole Guttman (to LA), Joe Veleno (to MTL), Philipp Kurashev (to SJ), Ilya Safonov (to VAN), Pat Maroon & Alec Martinez (retired)

Offense: Time to Play Meaningful Games

Scoring remains Chicago’s biggest obstacle. They finished 26th in goals per game (2.73) and dead last in shots per game (24.5). Even more telling, 20 of their 82 losses came by three goals or more. For a rebuilding team, those blowouts hurt development — the young players need to be in tighter games to learn how to handle pressure, protect leads, and execute when every shift matters.

That’s where the forwards must take a step. Connor Bedard will once again drive the attack, but the spotlight is on whether he can climb into the 80+ point range and tilt games in Chicago’s favor late. Frank Nazar showed promise with 26 points in 53 games, and his speed and edge make him a natural difference-maker. Now, it’s about showing he can deliver when games are close, not just on the scoresheet.

Veterans Ryan Donato (62 points) and Teuvo Teravainen (58 points) helped steady the top six last season. Tyler Bertuzzi’s physical style remains valuable, especially in grinding games that Chicago needs to keep close. The big question is Andre Burakovsky: if he can stay healthy and find his touch again, he’s the kind of secondary scorer that prevents games from getting away early.

The bottom six is another concern. Veterans like Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson bring experience, but they aren’t enough to shift outcomes. Which prospects step up to support the top six? Landon Slaggert looks like he should carve out a role, but can Colton Dach, Oliver Moore, or Lukas Reichel finally make an impact? If even two of them contribute meaningfully, it gives Chicago the depth needed to stay competitive in those one-goal, meaningful games that define growth for a young roster.

Defense: Life After Seth Jones

The trade of Seth Jones re-shaped Chicago’s blue line.

• Impact of the Seth Jones Trade: After Jones was dealt, Chicago’s goals for rose (2.73 → 3.09), but goals against worsened (3.56 → 3.77). Their win percentage improved slightly (.372 → .409), reflecting both opportunity and exposure for the defense.
• Alex Vlasic: Breakout year with 30 points and heavy minutes (23:16 TOI). Showed signs of fatigue, but looked like a legitimate top-pair option.
• Sam Rinzel & Artyom Levshunov: Both are poised for major minutes. Rinzel’s development curve is steep, while Levshunov already looks like a future cornerstone.
• Wyatt Kaiser: Still unsigned as an RFA at 23. He showed enough flashes last season to project as a possible second-pairing defenseman if he develops properly.
• Connor Murphy: Veteran presence at 32, most effective in a shutdown third-pair role.
• Ethan Del Mastro & Louis Crevier: Depth competition. Del Mastro could force his way in full-time. Crevier has size (6’8”) but hasn’t yet maximized it.

???? Without Jones, this is one of the youngest blue lines in the NHL. It’s going to be inconsistent, but this is exactly how Davidson wants them to learn.

Goaltending: Three’s a Crowd?

Chicago’s crease is suddenly crowded heading into 2025-26.

• Spencer Knight: Still has starter upside if he can put it together. Athletic, quick, and motivated to prove himself.
• Arvid Söderblom: Showed flashes last year despite poor team defense. Chicago trusts him enough for an extension.
• Laurent Brossoit: Veteran goalie added to the mix. The question: can he stay healthy enough to contribute? If yes, the Hawks may consider a three-goalie system or look to trade Brossoit or Söderblom for assets.

Behind them, Drew Commesso and Adam Gajan wait in the pipeline. Both were once seen as long-term answers, but their timelines now depend on how the NHL trio shakes out.

Coaching: The Blashill Era Begins

The Hawks started last season with Luke Richardson, but after his dismissal, Swedish assistant Anders Sørensenserved as interim for the remainder of the year.

This summer, Davidson officially hired Jeff Blashill. He brings experience from Detroit’s rebuild and from working alongside Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay.

Blashill isn’t here to chase playoffs right away. His job is to:

• Mold the young defense.
• Improve late-game execution (the Hawks were -38 in third periods).
• Build structure so the team can compete in divisional games.

Rookies to Watch

• Frank Nazar: Entering his sophomore season after posting 26 points in 53 games. He hasn’t yet had the chance to fully showcase his offensive upside, but his speed, vision, and compete level make him one of the key young forwards to track this year. The Blackhawks see him as part of their long-term core down the middle.
• Sam Rinzel & Artyom Levshunov: Both likely to play top-four minutes immediately.
• Oliver Moore: Speed and work ethic should earn him a bottom-six role.
• Colton Dach & Ethan Del Mastro: Depth players pushing for NHL time.

Advanced Stats & Team Trends

• Goals For: Gradual rise (178 → 202 → 213 over three years).
• Goals Against: Consistently high (289+ each year).
• Special Teams: 47 PP goals, 21% of total offense — close to NHL average of 48. PK steady at 76.2%.
• Corsi (CF%): Stuck around 44% for four years, ~6% below league average.
• Third Period: -38 differential. Youth and inexperience hurt them late.
• Division Play: 6-14-6 vs Central (.346%).
• High-Danger Chances: 486 for vs 715 against (-229).
• Blowouts: 20 losses by 3+ goals. Learning to stay in close games is critical for development.

???? Burning Questions for 2025-26

1. Can Andre Burakovsky Find His Game Again?If Burakovsky can rebound to 45–50 points, it changes the dynamic of the top six.
2. Is This the Connor Bedard Breakout Year?After two mid-60s point seasons, fans are looking for 80+. Can he get there with limited help?
3. Can the Young Defense Handle the Pressure?Vlasic, Rinzel, Levshunov, and possibly Kaiser will face nightly matchups against elite competition. Can they grow without breaking?

Prediction

Playoffs remain unrealistic, but progress is possible. If the Hawks:

• Push goals for into the 240–250 range
• Cut goals against closer to 270
• Stay in more third periods
• Earn points in the Central

… then a 70–74 point season is within reach.

My Final Take

The rebuild continues. The Hawks have to learn how to close games, compete harder in the Central, and survive with a rookie-heavy defense. But if Bedard, Nazar, Rinzel, Levshunov, and maybe Moore all take steps forward, this season will be a win — regardless of standings.