The Chicago Blackhawks hit the ice for practice Tuesday morning, gearing up for a road trip to Raleigh where they’ll face the Carolina Hurricanes. With the roster nearing full strength, head coach Jeff Blashill finds himself in an enviable - yet challenging - position: making lineup decisions when there are more NHL-ready bodies than available spots. It’s the kind of “problem” every coach wants, but that doesn’t make the decisions any easier.
Frank Nazar Set to Return
One of the most notable developments is the return of rookie forward Frank Nazar, who hasn’t played since taking a puck to the face against the Ottawa Senators back on December 20. Tuesday marked exactly one month since that injury, and Nazar was a full participant in practice - ditching the gray non-contact sweater for the red, signaling he’s ready for game action.
Blashill confirmed that Nazar will be in the lineup tomorrow night in Carolina, and the 20-year-old echoed that he’s been physically ready for weeks. He’s still wearing a chin protector to shield the area where he suffered a broken jaw - a visible scar now cuts across the right side of his face - but he’s avoided the full face shield we’ve seen on players in similar situations. Nazar admitted he dropped about eight pounds during recovery but has regained half of that and says his conditioning is solid.
This is a big moment for Nazar, who was just starting to find his rhythm before the injury. He brings speed, vision, and a high hockey IQ - traits that should give the Blackhawks' middle six a noticeable boost. His return adds another layer to an already crowded forward group, and the coaching staff will be watching closely to see how he responds after a month on the shelf.
Teravainen Progressing, But Not Quite Ready
While Nazar is set to go, veteran winger Teuvo Teravainen remains sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered in the first period of the January 12 matchup against the Oilers. Tuesday marked his first appearance back on the ice, though he wore a non-contact jersey and didn’t stay out for the full practice.
Blashill noted that Teravainen has been skating on his own for a few days, so this was a natural next step. He won’t travel with the team to Carolina, meaning he’ll miss his fourth straight game.
The good news? The injury isn’t considered serious, and the expectation is that he’ll return before the Olympic break.
In fact, he’s still slated to represent Finland at the Winter Games, so the team is clearly managing the situation with a long-term view.
Teravainen’s absence has left a hole in the top six, particularly on the power play, where his poise and playmaking ability are tough to replicate. But the Blackhawks have weathered the stretch reasonably well, thanks in part to younger players stepping up in expanded roles.
The Roster Crunch Is Real
With Nazar back and Andre Burakovsky having recovered from illness, Blashill now has to make some tough calls - and Colton Dach appears to be the odd man out, at least for now. The second-year forward had been penciled in as a healthy scratch for a couple of recent games, only to be reinserted when Bedard and Burakovsky were unavailable. On Tuesday, Dach skated as an extra, along with Sam Lafferty.
Blashill acknowledged the challenge of balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term player development. The organization wants to put its young players in positions where they can succeed, but sometimes that means sending someone to Rockford for more ice time instead of letting them sit in the press box.
“We’re not there yet,” Blashill said, referring to potential AHL assignments. “But we’re mindful of it.”
This is the kind of internal competition the Blackhawks have been building toward - a roster where no spot is guaranteed, and young players have to earn their minutes. It’s a healthy dynamic, especially for a team in transition. General manager Kyle Davidson has made it clear that development and accountability go hand-in-hand, and we’re starting to see that philosophy take shape.
With a few games left before the Olympic break, the Blackhawks are entering a stretch where roster flexibility and depth could be major assets. And for players like Nazar, this is a chance to reassert themselves and stake a claim - not just for now, but for the long-term future of this team.