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Blackhawks Trending Up, Despite Growing Pains
There’s a quiet transformation happening in Chicago, and it’s not just on the Bears’ depth chart. The Blackhawks, still deep in their rebuild, are starting to show flashes of a team figuring out who they are - and more importantly, who they want to become.
Let’s start with the penalty kill. What was once a soft spot in the Blackhawks’ defensive game has turned into one of the NHL’s most effective units.
Credit a system shift that’s tightened their structure and improved their reads. It’s not flashy, but it’s smart, disciplined hockey - the kind that wins playoff games down the road.
This group is buying in, and the results speak for themselves.
Meanwhile, Connor Murphy continues to be a steadying presence on the blue line. He’s been through the highs and lows of this organization and has grown into a true Chicago fixture.
But with the trade deadline creeping closer, the question looms: how much longer will he wear the Blackhawks sweater? His veteran presence has value - both on the ice and in the locker room - and contenders are always looking for reliable defensemen with playoff experience.
The good news? Connor Bedard is back at practice after a brief illness.
The rookie phenom remains the heartbeat of this young team, and his return brings a noticeable lift - not just in energy, but in expectations. Alongside him, Frank Nazar is getting in valuable reps, a sign the coaching staff is eager to evaluate future contributors.
Nick Lardis, recently called up, is also starting to find his rhythm. “It feels a little more normal,” he said - a telling quote from a player adjusting to the pace and pressure of the NHL.
Lardis has been skating with Oliver Moore, and the chemistry is starting to bubble. It’s early, but there’s real potential in that pairing.
There’s a buzz around this team, and it’s not just internal. The Blackhawks have taken notice of how the city rallies around the Bears during big moments - and they’re dreaming of the day hockey takes center stage again in Chicago. “They go crazy here,” one player said, and you can sense that hunger to be next in line.
Game Recap: Oilers 4, Blackhawks 1
Chicago couldn’t keep up with Edmonton in their latest outing, falling 4-1 in a game that showcased the growing pains of a young squad. Still, there were bright spots.
Louis Crevier continues to evolve into a more complete player, showing flashes of offensive upside that weren’t part of his scouting report. His development is something to watch.
In the latest power rankings, Bedard’s return headlines the positives, while Drew Commesso’s recent performance in net has been encouraging. On the flip side, Kevin Korchinski’s struggles are worth monitoring - the young defenseman is still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NHL.
Ryan Greene, meanwhile, can’t seem to buy a goal. He’s been snakebitten for weeks, but sometimes all it takes is an empty-netter to break the spell. The effort is there, and the coaching staff hasn’t lost faith.
Trade Alert: Blackhawks Add Depth
The front office stayed active, acquiring Ty Ellis, Jake Furlong, and a 2028 fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks. It’s a depth move, but one that fits the long-term vision - more young assets, more competition, more opportunity to find pieces that stick.
Prospect Watch
In the NCAA ranks, goaltender Adam Gajan bounced back with a strong performance at Minnesota-Duluth. Gajan’s development arc is trending in the right direction, and he remains a name to remember in the Blackhawks’ pipeline.
Around the NHL
- The Devils edged out the Kraken 3-2, while the Sabres poured it on in a 5-2 win over the Flyers.
- Ottawa stunned the Rangers with an 8-4 blowout, and the Golden Knights slipped past the Kings 3-2 in a tight one.
- Big news in Winnipeg: defenseman Neal Pionk is week-to-week, while the Jets continue to struggle at the bottom of the standings.
- The Devils’ front office is staying busy, with GM Tom Fitzgerald reportedly “working the phones daily” as trade rumors swirl.
- Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point is also week-to-week, putting his Olympic availability in question.
- The 2026 NHL Draft will be held in Buffalo on June 26-27, giving Sabres fans a marquee event to circle on the calendar.
- Coaching shakeup in Columbus: Dean Evason is out, and Rick Bowness is in.
- The NHL and NHLPA were reportedly pleased with recent Olympic arena ice tests - a good sign for international hockey fans.
- The Penguins locked up forward Blake Lizotte with a three-year extension.
- Defenseman Philip Broberg inked a $48 million deal, but suffered an injury in a loss to the Blues.
- Patrick Kane reached a major milestone, becoming just the fifth U.S.-born player to hit 500 career goals.
- Elsewhere, injuries continue to pile up: Carter Hart exited the Golden Knights game, Troy Terry missed time for the Ducks, and the Rangers placed Igor Shesterkin on IR - though they avoided the worst-case scenario.
- The 2027 Winter Classic will be hosted by the Mammoth at the University of Utah, a fresh outdoor venue for the league’s marquee event.
- Flyers GM Daniel Brière made it clear he won’t mortgage the future for a playoff push, even as Philly hangs around the postseason bubble.
- And in a concerning moment, Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury remains in the hospital for observation after a heavy hit. Thankfully, he’s alert and recovering.
From Around the Hockey World
- The PWHL’s Week 7 power rankings are out, with teams starting to separate from the pack in the inaugural season.
- The IOC is pleased with progress on a new Olympic hockey arena.
- The AHL and PHPA have tentatively agreed to a new CBA - a positive step for minor league stability.
- Sweden captured its third World Junior title, topping Czechia in a hard-fought final.
- And the 2026 World Junior Championship schedule is now live, giving fans an early look at the next wave of international talent.
Final Thoughts
The Blackhawks are still a work in progress - no one’s pretending otherwise. But between a surging penalty kill, the return of Bedard, and the emergence of young talent like Lardis and Crevier, there’s reason to believe this rebuild is starting to take shape.
It’s not about wins just yet - it’s about growth. And right now, Chicago’s showing signs of life in all the right places.