Patrick Kane is back in the mix for the Chicago Blackhawks, and his first preseason appearance comes Thursday night when the club heads to St. Louis for game 3 of the exhibition slate against the Blues.
This one should look a lot more like a real NHL test than the Blackhawks’ first two preseason games. Chicago opened with an overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild in St.
Paul last Saturday, a game in which both teams leaned heavily on AHL players. Then came Monday’s overtime win over Minnesota at the United Center, where the Blackhawks rolled out a more NHL-heavy group and played more to expectation.
The trip to St. Louis brings another step up in competition.
It’s the first half of a home-and-home set, and the Blues are expected to dress a lineup with a solid NHL core in front of their home crowd. Pavel Buchnevich, Connor McMichael, Cam Fowler, and Jordan Binnington are in the mix, while Robert Thomas, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dylan Holloway are not expected to play.
For Chicago, the headline is Kane. This will be his unofficial re-debut after spending a couple of seasons away with other teams.
He’s joined by several other NHL names, including Frank Nazar, Roman Kantserov, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, and Wyatt Kaiser. Drew Commesso and Arvid Soderblom are the two goaltenders making the trip.
One player worth watching closely is Kevin Korchinski. He has been sharp throughout camp and was especially impressive in that first preseason game against an AHL-heavy lineup. This is a chance for him to show it again alongside NHL talent, and if he’s truly in the fight for a roster spot, nights like this matter.
AJ Spellacy and Sacha Boisvert are set to begin the year in the AHL, but preseason minutes still give them a chance to make their case. Spellacy, especially, is one to keep in mind as an early call-up possibility if he keeps climbing.
The puck is set to drop shortly after 7:00 PM CT. The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area and watched locally on CHSN.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Are Seeing A Different Nick Lardis This Fall
Nick Lardis only got one preseason game to make an impression, but it was a productive one. Against Minnesota on Sept. 21, he picked up a goal and an assist while looking sharper on his skates, stronger on the puck and more comfortable in his own skin. For a young forward trying to carve out a role, those are the kinds of signs the Blackhawks were hoping to see, especially after a summer spent working toward a more complete game.
What stands out this fall is not just the production, but the way Lardis and head coach Jeff Blashill have described the change. Both pointed to added speed and a more mature approach than he showed last season, with Lardis stressing that he wants to bring that pace and confidence every night. For Chicago, the intrigue is whether this version of Lardis can keep building from a strong start and turn a promising preseason glimpse into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Just Made A Long-Term Oliver Moore Bet
The Blackhawks have already made one of their clearest long-range commitments to Oliver Moore, locking in the former first-round pick on a five-year extension that will keep him in Chicago well beyond his entry-level deal. Moore, taken 19th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, has already gotten a taste of the NHL over parts of two seasons, and the organization is signaling that it sees him as part of the next wave rather than a player to evaluate year by year.
For a team still sorting out its future, the timing matters almost as much as the player. Chicago is buying certainty around a young forward with upside before the next contract cycle arrives, and it is doing so at a number that shows real belief in Moores trajectory. The deal also gives the Blackhawks a longer runway to see how his game develops, with the contract set to carry him through 2031-32 and keep one more key decision off the front burner. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Just Sent A Clear Message With Oliver Moores New Deal
Oliver Moores next chapter is already taking shape in Chicago, and the Blackhawks made sure to lock it in early. The young center, drafted 19th overall in 2023, has already logged parts of two NHL seasons while also getting time in the AHL and gaining valuable experience on the international stage, including a gold-medal run with Team USA. For a rebuilding club that has spent the last few years trying to line up its future core, this is the kind of move that signals belief in where a player is headed, not just what he has done so far.
The timing of the deal also says plenty about how the Blackhawks view Moores role in the years ahead. By securing him now, Chicago is betting that his development will continue on the upward track and that he will be part of the group the franchise builds around when the roster is supposed to be ready to take another step. There is still plenty to sort out between now and the start of that new contract, but the message from the front office is clear enough: Moore is not just a prospect anymore, he is part of the plan. [Read more 🡒]