Hockey is back! September is here, and that means the Chicago Blackhawks are officially back on the ice. With a new head coach, a group of fresh prospects, and young players looking to cement their roles, this month sets the tone for the 2025–26 season.
The excitement is real, but fans also know this rebuild requires patience. This season won’t be about playoffs — it’s about growth, structure, and seeing which prospects are ready to take the next step.
Blackhawks Rookie Camp & Tom Kurvers Showcase
Rookie camp kicks things off, followed closely by the Tom Kurvers Showcase, where Chicago prospects will square off against Minnesota and St. Louis.
This isn’t about wins and losses — it’s about seeing how the kids compete against their peers from other organizations and which players flash NHL potential.
Key names to watch include:
- Nick Lardis – dangerous speed and scoring upside.
- Matt Vanacker – versatile forward who works hard every shift.
- Jack Pridham – one of the newest draft picks, eager to make a mark.
- Artyom Levshunov – high-end defense prospect looking to show poise and presence.
- Sam Rinzel – another key blueliner trying to push closer to an NHL role.
Main Training Camp
After the showcase, the full roster reports to main training camp. This is where the real evaluations begin.
- Connor Bedard Year 3 – No one’s asking for 90 points yet, but could he push toward 80 points? That’s the next step in his progression.
- Frank Nazar – He’s no longer a question mark. Nazar is locked into this roster and expected to be a key piece down the middle.
- Defense Core – With Seth Jones gone, the focus shifts to Vlasic and Rinzel leading the way, while Levshunov and Korchinski fight to earn NHL jobs.
- Forward Battles – With veterans like Kurashev, Maroon, and Martinez gone, spots are open. Who gets to ride shotgun with Bedard? How will Moore and Slaggert fit into the mix?
This camp will also be where new head coach Jeff Bashill begins shaping his 23-man roster and setting the team’s identity.
Preseason Schedule – Six Games
The Blackhawks will play six exhibition games before the regular season begins. These aren’t about the final score — they’re about testing line combinations, special teams, and giving prospects a chance under NHL lights.
- Sept 23 @ Detroit Red Wings – 6:00 p.m. CT
- Sept 27 @ St. Louis Blues – 6:00 p.m. CT
- Sept 28 @ Minnesota Wild – 5:00 p.m. CT
- Sept 30 vs Detroit Red Wings (Home) – 7:00 p.m. CT
- Oct 3 vs Minnesota Wild (Home) – 7:00 p.m. CT
- Oct 4 vs St. Louis Blues (Home) – 6:00 p.m. CT
Blackhawks Opening Night – October 7 in Florida
Circle it: October 7 in Florida. That’s when the real season begins, with Bedard, Nazar, Vlasic, Bertuzzi, Donato and Knight leading the charge into 2025–26.
It won’t be about chasing playoffs yet. It’s about building chemistry, improving team stats, and watching individual players grow into bigger roles.
The Bigger Picture
This season is about development and improvement — both for the team and for individual players. GM Kyle Davidson needs to deliver the right message at camp: patience. Blackhawks fans need to accept that this rebuild takes time.
The focus should be on:
- Evaluating prospects – finding out which players are part of the core going forward.
- Roster construction – identifying what pieces still need to be added in future years.
- Incremental progress – better structure, better habits, and stronger stats across categories.
Don’t expect fireworks on the trade market. Davidson has stayed quiet, even with NHL GMs meeting this week in Detroit. The mission right now is development, not big moves.
Final Word
For me, September is special. If you’re a diehard Blackhawks fan, this is the month you’ve been waiting for. Watching prospects, learning about the new kids, and seeing main camp battles for roster spots — it’s what makes this rebuild fun to follow.
I’ll be here all month delivering previews, predictions, and updates daily. We’ll break down rookies, spotlight returning players, and follow every step leading to October 7.
Let’s enjoy this journey together. Day by day, we’ll watch the Blackhawks improve. I’m not an “expert” but I love sharing my thoughts, and I know this next six weeks will be exciting, challenging, and full of stories.
Hockey is back, and so are the Blackhawks. Let’s go.
[b]With a new head coach, a group of fresh prospects, and young players looking to cement their roles, this month sets the tone for the 2025–26 season.[/b]
As usual a lotta meat in your thoughts, Frenchy, so I just grabbed from your 1st paragraph. …. The things you tick off that are happening within the organIzation are so numerous that it’s like an avalanche of story lines and things to follow. Easily can get overwhelming.
Sure, many franchises can go thru something similar but the sheer number of blue chip prospects, led by a still possible generational player in Bedard, this thing is on steroids. …….. You’re right, this is what Hawk fans have been waiting for. We’ll see much of it on NHL ice this yr while always keeping an eye on KD’s roster construction and prospects.
Thanks for your comment! You’re right, it can feel overwhelming with so many storylines at once, but that’s what happens when a rebuild starts to bear fruit. The key now is not to get lost in the noise — it’s about keeping the players focused on their roles, building good habits, and growing together.
Bedard may be the centerpiece, but what really matters is how the whole group develops around him. That’s what will decide if this rebuild turns into long-term success. One step at a time, stay patient, and let the kids learn the grind.