The Chicago Blackhawks may be staring at another long season in the Central Division.
On Friday, The Hockey News ranked the Blackhawks 30th among NHL teams on paper, with only the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks sitting lower. Since both of those clubs are in the Pacific Division, that leaves Chicago in a familiar spot when you look at the Central: near the bottom, and maybe right back in last place.
That possibility feels real because of the division they’re trying to climb through. The Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars remain the class of the group, while the Utah Mammoth are pushing up behind them.
Add in the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and Winnipeg Jets, teams that seem to field competitive rosters just about every year, and the path gets crowded fast.
Chicago did finish 31st in 2025-26, but even that came with an 11-point jump from the season before. A similar kind of step forward could happen again in 2026-27 without changing the standings much, simply because the Central is packed with teams trying to win right now.
The Blackhawks do have a clear floor. They’ll spend the first month of the season without Connor Bedard after shoulder surgery, and that alone puts a ceiling on what they can do early. The upside, though, is a team that stays in the race until the end, no matter how the finish line looks.
That kind of surprise season does happen. The New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers were not expected to amount to much last year, yet each managed a winning season. Not all of them made the playoffs, but they were still alive in the race when the calendar got late.
For Chicago to pull off something similar, several young players would have to take off at once. Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, and Oliver Moore are among the names that could be asked to help fill the gap while Bedard is out.
Roman Kantserov’s scoring touch will also be under the microscope as he tries to bring that production to the NHL. And then there’s the blue line, along with the question of whether Spencer Knight is elite.
A lot of those answers will come during the 2026-27 season. For now, the Blackhawks can only hope they’re better than a year ago - and still avoid another trip to the Central Division basement.
In Other News...
Insider Update Changes The Feel Around Connor Bedard's Absence
Connor Bedards latest absence has added another layer to a situation the Blackhawks were already going to have to manage carefully. His contract extension talks with Chicago have not yet reached the stage where the sides are getting into the numbers, and his recent injury has only slowed the process further. For a franchise built around its young center, every missed game matters, even if the bigger picture still points toward a long-term deal down the road.
The encouraging part for Chicago is that the injury outlook does not sound like a drawn-out one, which helps keep the focus on the season rather than on a prolonged setback. Around the league, there was other roster movement as well, with St. Louis bringing back Oskar Sundqvist on a one-year, two-way deal and Montreal signing Bogdan Konyushkov while he stays in the KHL for another season. For the Blackhawks, though, the real storyline remains Bedards return and how quickly the conversation around his next contract can finally move forward. [Read more 🡒]
Patrick Kane Reunion Could Mean More For Blackhawks Than Bedard
A Patrick Kane reunion would naturally stir thoughts of one more run alongside Connor Bedard, but the Blackhawks could end up valuing the veteran winger for a different reason. Chicagos young center pipeline has become a real part of the conversation, and Kanes championship experience and day-to-day presence could matter just as much for Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell and Nick Lardis as any immediate line combination.
Bedard is working back from shoulder surgery and is expected around November, which leaves the Blackhawks with a stretch of time to sort out how Kane would fit if the match comes together. One possible look has Frondell between Tyler Bertuzzi and Kane, though there is already some skepticism about asking Frondell to absorb too much defensively. Either way, the bigger question may be whether Kanes return would be less about nostalgia and more about helping Chicagos next wave learn what winning in this market is supposed to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Face A Risky Patrik Laine Decision That Could Change Everything
Patrik Laine is the kind of swing the Blackhawks can at least afford to consider, especially if the price stays in the low-risk range. A one-year prove-it deal would not ask Chicago to make a long-term commitment, but it would give the front office a chance to see whether Laines shot still plays at a premium level and whether his recent scoring touch can translate into a bigger role alongside the clubs young core.
The appeal is obvious in a lineup that could use another finisher around Connor Bedard, with Tyler Bertuzzi as a possible fit on the left side. The concern is just as clear, because Laines effort level and defensive habits have been questioned before, which means any move like this would come with a built-in test for Jeff Blashill and the staff. For a team trying to balance upside with accountability, it is the sort of decision that could look smart or messy depending on how closely the details are managed. [Read more 🡒]