Blackhawks vs. Sharks: A Glimpse Into the NHL’s Future, Not Just Bedard vs. Celebrini
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to face the San Jose Sharks on Monday night at the United Center - the final team they’ve yet to play this season. But this isn’t just another game to check off the schedule. It’s a meeting of two franchises that have spent recent years rebuilding from the ground up and are now starting to show signs of real progress.
Yes, this game will feature a marquee matchup between Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini - the last two No. 1 overall picks - but there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Both teams are quietly building something that could matter in the not-so-distant future.
Sharks Clinging to the Bubble, But Trending Up
San Jose enters the game with a 27-22-4 record (58 points), right on the edge of the Western Conference playoff picture. The Blackhawks, at 21-25-9, are seven points behind - not entirely out of it, but clearly in a different phase of their rebuild.
What’s changed for the Sharks? For starters, Macklin Celebrini has been electric.
With 79 points already, he’s not just leading the team - he’s fourth in the entire league. That kind of production from a rookie isn’t just impressive, it’s rare.
If San Jose sneaks into the postseason, Celebrini’s name is going to be in the Hart Trophy conversation. He’s that valuable to this team.
But he’s not doing it alone. Will Smith, another young talent, has chipped in with 38 points, and the Sharks have surrounded their youth with smart veteran pieces like Tyler Toffoli and Alex Wennberg. There’s a clear structure here: let the kids drive the bus, but give them experienced co-pilots to keep the thing on the road.
Here’s how the Sharks are expected to line up:
Forwards:
- Smith - Celebrini - Toffoli
- Eklund - Wennberg - Graf
- Regenda - Misa - Kurashev
- Goodrow - Gaudette - Reaves
Defense:
- Orlov - Liljegren
- Ferraro - Mukhamadullin
- Dickinson - Desharnais
Goalie:
- Yaroslav Askarov
Askarov is another name to watch. The young netminder is still carving out his place in the league, but there’s no denying the talent. Like Celebrini, he’s a big part of San Jose’s long-term vision.
Chicago’s Youth Movement Rolls On
The Blackhawks are still without veteran forward Nick Foligno, who remains day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. He did skate at practice Sunday, which is a good sign, but he won’t suit up for this one.
In his absence, Chicago continues to lean into its youth. Spencer Knight will get the start in goal, giving us a fun goalie duel between two of the league’s top young netminders. Up front, Connor Bedard will be flanked by Frank Nazar and Tyler Bertuzzi, forming a line that’s been generating some real chemistry at even strength.
Jeff Blashill continues to experiment with his lineup, especially when it comes to Oliver Moore. Moore will center a line with Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach - a group that brings speed, energy, and a little bit of bite to the bottom six.
Blashill is still figuring out exactly where Moore fits long-term, but the early signs are promising. His versatility is proving to be a real asset.
Here’s how the Blackhawks are projected to line up:
Forwards:
- Nazar - Bedard - Bertuzzi
- Teravainen - Greene - Burakovsky
- Donato - Dickinson - Mikheyev
- Slaggert - Moore - Dach
Defense:
- Vlasic - Crevier
- Kaiser - Rinzel
- Grzelcyk - Murphy
Goalie:
- Spencer Knight
Sam Lafferty will be the healthy scratch up front, while Artyom Levshunov continues his development program and won’t be in the lineup.
More Than Just a Rookie Showcase
It’s easy to frame this game as Bedard vs. Celebrini, and sure, that’s a compelling headline. But this matchup is more about where these two franchises are headed than where they are right now.
San Jose is trying to prove that their rebuild is ahead of schedule - that they’re not just young, but dangerous. Chicago, meanwhile, is still putting the pieces together but showing glimpses of what could be a very bright future.
These are two teams that, not long ago, were regulars in the NHL’s basement. Now, they’re both starting to climb. Monday night is a chance to see what the next generation of NHL stars - and the teams they’re leading - are starting to look like.
How to Watch:
- TV: CHSN (local), ESPN+ (national)
- Radio: AM 720 WGN (Chicagoland)
- Puck Drop: Shortly after 7:30 PM CT
This one’s not just a game - it’s a glimpse into the future of the league.