The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for the 2026-27 NHL season with a renewed sense of purpose. After another disappointing campaign, the team made significant roster changes during the summer, aiming to break their streak of missing the playoffs and take a step forward in their rebuild.
2025-26 Season: Another Year Out of the Playoffs
The Blackhawks missed the postseason for the sixth consecutive year in 2025-26. They finished with 72 points, placing last in the Central Division and second-to-last in the entire league, with a record of 29 wins, 39 losses, and 14 overtime losses. That poor standing would have given them a top-two pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, but luck wasn’t on their side as they dropped two spots to select fourth overall.
Offseason Moves: Strong Reinforcements
General Manager Kyle Davidson kicked off the summer with a major trade. The team sent the fourth overall pick and the 45th pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway. This deal was aimed at adding proven players to support the young core, including Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Anton Frondell. After the trade, the Blackhawks signed Byram to a six-year, $75 million contract, carrying an average annual value of $12.5 million.
The next big move was bringing back star Patrick Kane on a two-year, $16 million deal. Kane, the first overall pick in 2007, previously helped the team win three Stanley Cups and hopes to lead the Blackhawks back to the playoffs in his second stint with the club.
Projected Lineup
Top Forward Lines
Despite Connor Bedard missing at least the first month of the season due to injury, the top forward lines look full of offensive firepower. Having Kane alongside Bedard could form one of the most exciting duos in the league. With the arrival of prospect Roman Kantserov from the KHL, who led that league in scoring last season, the first line promises to be intriguing.
The second line, featuring Nazar, Bertuzzi, and Frondell, also looks promising. Frondell joined the league last season and recorded three goals and nine assists in 12 games at age 19. Nazar improved his numbers with 15 goals and 41 points in 66 games, and with the addition of power forward Bertuzzi, the team has a respectable top line capable of scoring goals—something they struggled with last season.
Bottom Lines
The bottom lines feature a mix of veterans and young talent. Teravainen, who returned for a second stint, will play his third season with the team since signing before the 2024-25 season. Alongside him, Jordan Greenway, acquired from the Sabres, adds extra grit to the line. Young players Ryan Greene and Oliver Moore also stand out; Greene tallied 12 goals and 17 assists in 81 games in his first full season, while Moore recorded five goals and 14 assists in 51 games, showcasing his versatility as both a center and a winger.
Defense
The defense is led by new acquisition Bowen Byram on the top pairing alongside Alex Vlasic, while Artem Levshunov and Wyatt Kaiser form the second pairing. This top-four looks solid and could be the foundation for years to come. On the third pairing, there will be competition between Kevin Korchinski, Ian Cole, and Sam Rinzel. Korchinski, who signed a new contract, is no longer waiver-exempt, meaning the team could lose him if he doesn’t stay in the main lineup.
Goaltending
Spencer Knight returns as the starting goaltender after a solid first season with the team, posting a 19-25-11 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. With an improved team in front of him, Knight is expected to improve his numbers. Arvid Soderblom will serve as the backup, but is expected to play fewer than 30 games.
Players to Watch
Bowen Byram
Byram will have the opportunity to lead the defense for the first time in his career. After the big trade and hefty contract, the 25-year-old defenseman has high expectations. He set career highs with Buffalo last season, recording 11 goals and 42 points in 82 games.
Frank Nazar
After a productive season with 15 goals and 41 points in 66 games, Nazar will have a big opportunity to be the team’s top center, at least until Bedard returns from injury.
Our 2026-27 Predictions
The Chicago Blackhawks look significantly improved and will take a step forward in their rebuild. With Bedard and Kane leading the way, the scoring that was lacking last season should improve. Young players like Frondell, Moore, Greene, Levshunov, and Kantserov will add excitement to the team. Spencer Knight will continue to develop as the starting goalie. However, the team is expected to miss the playoffs again, though they will come closer and play more meaningful games down the stretch.
