The Chicago Blackhawks limped into the Olympic break with a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets-a performance that felt more like a team already on vacation than one trying to build momentum. But it wasn’t just the scoreline that raised eyebrows. The decision to healthy scratch rookie forward Ryan Greene before puck drop turned heads, and not in a good way.
Greene’s Growth Curve Interrupted
Let’s be clear: Greene hasn’t been torching the league lately. Like much of the Blackhawks’ young core, he’s hit a bit of a wall.
But benching him? That’s a tough sell.
Especially when the team looked flat and uninspired without him on the ice.
Greene’s journey to the NHL has been one of the season’s more encouraging stories. Called up in early October due to injuries to Landon Slaggert and Joey Anderson, Greene was expected to be a short-term fill-in.
Instead, he carved out a permanent role. What was supposed to be a quick cameo turned into a full-time gig, and he hasn’t looked out of place.
He’s not just surviving-he’s competing. Greene has shown the kind of speed, grit, and puck pursuit that coaches love to see from young forwards.
He’s not afraid to get his nose dirty in the corners or crash the net for a greasy goal. That’s the kind of identity the Blackhawks are trying to build for the future.
Through 56 games, Greene has notched seven goals and 13 assists-20 points that only tell part of the story. His impact goes beyond the scoresheet.
A Team-Wide Slump, Not a One-Man Problem
Yes, Greene’s been quiet lately. But so has the entire team.
The Blackhawks have slid from hovering near a wild card spot to 27th in the league standings. Fatigue is a factor-21 games in 40 days is a brutal stretch, especially for a young roster that’s also been juggling international play with the 4 Nations Face-Off and now the Olympics.
This isn’t just a Greene issue. It’s a team-wide skid.
And that’s what makes the decision to single him out so puzzling. If anything, this stretch should be about development and finding out who’s ready to take that next step-not sending mixed messages about accountability.
A Question of Priorities
The logic behind the move likely had more to do with showcasing trade assets than with Greene’s play. With the deadline approaching, veterans like Connor Murphy and Ilya Mikheyev are expected to draw interest, particularly for their penalty-killing prowess and steady 5-on-5 contributions. Giving them ice time in the final game before the break makes sense from a front office perspective.
But the optics? Not great.
Take Andre Burakovsky, for example. The 31-year-old winger has struggled since returning from a concussion.
He came over from Seattle in a cap dump and initially found chemistry with Connor Bedard, racking up most of his 31 points alongside the rookie phenom. But over the last seven games, he’s gone completely cold-zero points, yet he’s remained locked into a top-six role.
Meanwhile, Nick Lardis, a young forward who brought energy and effort every night, was sent down when Bedard returned from his shoulder injury. That’s another tough pill to swallow for fans watching the youth movement seemingly stall out.
Time for a Shift in Mentality
This isn’t just about one scratch or one player. It’s about the message being sent throughout the locker room. Under both former head coach Anders Sorensen and current bench boss Jeff Blashill, there’s been a noticeable trend: veterans get longer leashes, while young players are quicker to be shuffled in and out of the lineup.
That has to change.
Yes, veterans deserve respect. They’ve earned it.
But respect shouldn’t come at the cost of opportunity for the next wave. If a young player is earning his minutes and a veteran is struggling, the decision should be simple.
Let the kids play. Let them learn, make mistakes, and grow.
That’s how rebuilds work.
The Blackhawks are in a transitional phase. They’re not chasing a Cup this season-they’re building for the seasons to come. And that means putting players like Ryan Greene in positions to succeed, not sending them to the press box while older, underperforming players stay in the spotlight.
There’s still time to course-correct after the Olympic break. But if this team wants to build something lasting, it starts with trusting the youth to take the reins.