The Chicago Blackhawks wrapped up the 2025-26 season on April 15. This season marked the 100th season as a franchise and year three of a rebuild. The season started on a mighty note but then injuries made everything go offsides. The Blackhawks were neutral on offense but nowhere to be seen defensively. Their defense allowed too many goals, which put the team in difficult situations. As a result, they had to rely on goaltender Spencer Knight to stop the pucks.
The defense struggled to get in position and let the opponent score a goal without any problem. What even makes it worse is the defense couldn’t get the puck out of the defense zone and ran out of gas. The Blackhawks need to clean up the defensive side of the puck to where they won’t get tired.
They did not make a lot of additions in the offseason. They added Stanley Cup veteran Andre Burakovsky, and veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and reunited with forward Sam Lafferty who last played with them back in the 2022-23 season. The Blackhawks also hired Jeff Blashill to be their new head coach under new head coach. In his first year they finished the season with a record of 29-39, with 14 overtime shootout losses for 72 points. Unfortunately, this ranks the Blackhawks last place in the Central Division
The Blackhawks at one point had hope they could make the playoffs in a final wild card spot. However, forwards Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar suffered severe injuries that kept them out for more than a month and the team couldn’t make it through without them in the lineup. However, it was nice to see Bedard claim 75 points in his third year in the NHL. It was also nice to see Nazar have a solid second full season in the NHL, along with a 32 goal season from forward Tyler Bertuzzi.
The defense was not there to contribute. Defenseman Louis Crevier led the group with 25 points, and defenseman Artyom Levshunov ended with 24 points but no one else showed up to contribute offensively. Crevier and defenseman Alex Vlasic were the only true standouts defensively for the Blackhawks compared to the rest of the team. Both players defended aggressively, using their height to throw their body to protect their goal. They had the highest statistics on blocked shots, with Vlasic totaling 119 blocked shots and Crevier totaling 95 blocked shots. Knight had a good full year with the Blackhawks recording a .902 save percentage. His fellow goaltender, Arvid Soderblom, struggled to meet expectations, only totaling a .880 save percentage. The third goaltender, Drew Commesso, only played three games. Although he finished with a .918 save percentage, Commesso hasn’t been on the team long enough to make an impact.
It was sad to see Nick Foligno get traded to Minnesota as well as Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson go to the Edmonton Oilers. The Blackhawks will need to make splashes in their trades and free agent signings to improve the roster for the 2026-27 season.
It’s a bummer that the hawks didn’t make the playoffs compared to the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres. The Ducks are tied at two in the series against the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Sabers are down two to one in the series against the Montreal Canadiens. With similar performances in goaltending, the only thing that held the Blackhawks back from making a surprise appearance in the playoffs, like the Ducks and the Sabres, is a stronger defense. If the Blackhawks can get on a hot start next season, they could surprise the league when they finally touch the postseason.
But don’t worry, Blackhawks fans! There will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
The Blackhawks need to sign a veteran free agent on the defense who can provide assistance to the young defenseman. Maybe they reunite with Murphy or sign Marrio Ferraro from the San Jose Sharks. They also need to trade or sign another forward to play with Bedard, perhaps Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres or Jason Robertson from the Dallas Stars. The Blackhawks will need to answer which young players will be the core like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane from years ago.
After another disappointing season in year three of the Bedard era, I believe the Blackhawks can turn the corner as long as everyone stays healthy. If they can get another veteran Defenseman, along with a forward for Bedard to play with from trade or free agency signing, I think Bedard will officially have a 80-100 point season. I also believe Nazar, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel will have big sophomore seasons. Knight will prove why he is the number one goalie for them next season. I believe the Chicago Blackhawks in the Bedard era will bring a Stanley Cup back to the United Center in Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks playoff hockey will be absolute cinema. I can’t wait.
