As the dust settles from the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up to hit the ice again, facing off against the Nashville Predators. With the NHL trade deadline looming just over a week away, there are several intriguing narratives to track as the season progresses.
Jeff Blashill's Lineup Choices
One of the hot topics is head coach Jeff Blashill’s lineup decisions. While it's common for coaches to bench young players for development, there's debate over its effectiveness. Artyom Levshunov’s benching after a rough patch made sense, but sitting Ryan Greene before the Olympic break raised eyebrows.
With 25 games left and the Blackhawks sitting 10 points outside the playoff picture, it's time to focus on giving young players valuable ice time. Post-deadline, we can expect veterans on expiring contracts to be moved, opening up opportunities for players like Greene, Nick Lardis, and potentially Anton Frondell to showcase their talents.
Connor Bedard's Performance
Connor Bedard came into the season with high hopes of making the Canadian Olympic team, a goal that slipped away. Despite that setback, Bedard has been a revelation, living up to the hype that surrounded his first overall draft selection in 2023.
The question now is whether Bedard can maintain his stellar performance with the playoffs out of reach and no major milestones to chase. After recovering from a shoulder injury, these next 25 games will be crucial in assessing his engagement and consistency. Great players find ways to excel even when the stakes are low, and Bedard has been playing some of his best hockey at the NHL level this season.
While some might suggest his upcoming contract negotiations could motivate him, it’s unlikely that these final games will impact the offers he receives.
Focus on Youth Development
The Blackhawks' priority now is nurturing their young talent. Wins and losses are secondary, with fans likely preferring a higher draft pick. The spotlight is on the performance of the young core, who will be key when the team becomes a contender.
Nick Foligno’s goals and Tyler Bertuzzi’s contributions are enjoyable, but the real focus should be on progress. Levshunov’s development has been rocky, and after a necessary breather, it’s time to see if he can solidify his defensive play.
Nick Lardis is expected to be called up from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs after the deadline. He’s shown promise with five goals and two assists in 21 NHL games, and his AHL stats are impressive. The goal is to see if he can translate that production to the NHL level.
Sam Rinzel, who stepped up when Levshunov struggled, has impressed with his defensive play and consistency. His growth will be closely watched as the season winds down.
As the Blackhawks navigate this final stretch, the focus will be on who takes the ice and how Bedard continues to develop. With a roster brimming with young talent, the future looks bright for the Blackhawks, setting them up for playoff contention sooner rather than later.