The Blackhawks are running into a good problem on the power play, and it’s one they didn’t have a year ago: too many skilled options, not enough spots.
After two preseason games and several practices, the shape of the first unit is becoming clearer. The one piece still missing is Connor Bedard.
Bedard has been skating on his own and making progress on the ice, which has fueled talk that he could return sooner rather than later. If that happens, Chicago will have to sort out not just one power-play setup, but two - one for now, and another for when Bedard is back in the mix.
Right now, the top group has Tyler Bertuzzi on the goal line, Roman Kantserov in the bumper, Anton Frondell on the right wall, Patrick Kane on the left wall, and Bowen Byram at the point.
That left-wall spot is notable because Kane has spent most of his career on the right side, where he’s usually been most dangerous. But this season could look different. Jeff Blashill believes the unit functions better with Kane on the left, and after watching him there, he said, "I thought he was excellent on it today, kind of finding the little quiet areas, then finding his options."
Blashill also likes the fit with Kantserov, who is left-handed in the bumper, while Byram gives Kane another left-shot option from the point.
Bedard’s return would force another shuffle. He’d likely take Frondell’s spot on the right wall, giving him a chance to attack downhill. That role also opens up a direct path to Bertuzzi at the net front, while keeping Bedard in a familiar area - he has logged a lot of power-play time on the right side in his career.
If Bedard moves into the top unit, Frondell would slide to the second group, and that could cost Oliver Moore or Ryan Donato a power-play spot altogether. The second unit would likely include Nick Lardis, Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, and Artyom Levshunov.
Last season, the Blackhawks’ power play finished 29th in the league. Bedard hasn’t had much support during his time in Chicago, but that appears set to change.
This year, the Blackhawks have enough talent to build one strong unit - and enough extra pieces to threaten with two. The trick now is putting all the parts in the right places.
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 🡒]