The Chicago Blackhawks may be buried in the standings, but Roman Kantserov is giving them something worth watching.
At 4-12-1, Chicago’s season is already headed for the scrap heap, and it’s still several weeks before American Thanksgiving. That kind of start usually brings change, and the Blackhawks figure to be no exception at some point.
But even in a rough year, there are still players who can change the mood around a team. Kantserov has become one of them.
The rookie forward has been a steady source of offense, and lately he’s been even better. Over his last seven games, all spent on the top line with Connor Bedard, Kantserov has recorded a point in every one of them. That makes him the first Blackhawks rookie to post a seven-game point streak since Jonathan Toews in 2007-08, when Toews pushed his run all the way to 10.
The production has put Kantserov in a strong spot among first-year NHL players. Entering Friday, with Chicago idle, he leads all rookies with eight goals.
His 10 points leave him just two behind the rookie scoring lead, and he’s tied for fourth overall in rookie scoring. If he keeps putting up goals and points at this pace, Calder Trophy chatter is going to follow.
Anton Frondell is the other big rookie name in Chicago, and he’s the more complete player right now. He’s been strong defensively for a first-year skater and has 8 points, which puts him among the top 10 rookie scorers. Still, Kantserov’s offensive numbers are the ones that jump off the page.
There’s not much chance the Blackhawks climb all the way out of the hole they’ve dug, but they can still make sure the season isn’t a total waste. What Kantserov does from here matters for the future, especially if he keeps building on this scoring start.
That’s part of what made him such an intriguing prospect in the first place. Last season, Kantserov led the KHL in goals at a very young age, and that performance drew plenty of attention around the hockey world.
Chicago took him with the 44th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and the belief was that he could become a real NHL player. So far, he’s gone beyond that.
Right now, he’s on pace for 40 goals. That would be a massive number for any rookie, and for a Blackhawks player it would sit in rare company. It’s not likely he gets there, but even a finish in the 20s - with a chance to flirt with 30 - would make the message clear: Kantserov looks like a long-term piece and an above-average sniper for Chicago’s top-nine forward group.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Rebuild Debate Just Got Much Harder To Ignore
The Blackhawks 4-1 loss to the Lightning was another reminder of how quickly a game can tilt against a young team still trying to find its footing. Tampa Bay scored early and never really let Chicago settle in, leaving the Blackhawks to stare at a familiar problem after another rough start to the season: the talent is there in pockets, but the overall picture still looks incomplete.
That is why the conversation around the rebuild is getting harder to avoid. Chicago has young players worth tracking and future draft capital that could shape the next phase, but the current results are pushing the front office toward tougher questions about personnel and whether a more aggressive move is needed to speed things up. The next step may not be as simple as waiting for development to catch up. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Suddenly Have A Bigger Problem Than Another Road Loss
The Blackhawks left Benchmark International Arena with another road loss, but the bigger concern is how familiar the script has become. Chicago fell 4-1 to Tampa Bay, its fifth straight defeat, and the club is still searching for its first road win of the season after a night in which the offense never found much rhythm and the Lightning controlled the game for long stretches.
There were a few signs of fight, at least in the physical department, as Chicago finished with 31 hits and tried to make the game more uncomfortable. But the Blackhawks still spent too much time chasing, and with the standings tightening around them, the bigger issue is not just the result in Tampa Bay - it is how quickly the losses are piling up and how little margin the team seems to have when it falls behind. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Deadline Plans May Hinge On One Offensive Fit
The Blackhawks recent slide has only sharpened the focus on what they need before the deadline, and the answer remains pretty clear: help up front. Chicago has dropped 12 of its last 16 games, leaving little doubt that the front office has to keep searching for a way to add offense and steady a lineup that has struggled to generate enough pressure.
One name to watch in the broader market is Simon Edvinsson, the Red Wings restricted free agent defenseman who has been skating in Nashville while interest around him continues to build. The Predators are reportedly in the mix, the Sharks have also shown interest, and talks with Detroit have not advanced, which leaves the picture unsettled as teams weigh whether this kind of move can shift the deadline market in their favor. [Read more 🡒]