The Blackhawks are heading into the 2026-27 season without Connor Bedard to start, and that puts a bright spotlight on the next wave of Chicago talent. For a young team trying to keep moving forward, the early weeks suddenly matter a lot more. A slow opening stretch could do real damage, so the burden now shifts to the players who have to keep the offense and structure afloat until Bedard returns.
There is at least some reason for optimism on the injury front. Insider Frank Seravali believes the original four-month prognosis may not be completely accurate, and if Bedard’s rehab goes smoothly, he could end up missing only a “handful” of games via Seravalli. Even so, Chicago has to prepare for life without him at the start, and that means several players will be asked to do more than originally expected.
Frank Nazar is first on that list. Bedard’s sidekick is set to begin the season with his new $6.6 million contract, and the pressure on him rises immediately in year three.
His minutes are going up, and so are the expectations. Nazar was supposed to slot behind Bedard and Anton Frondell in the center rotation, but now he gets bumped back into the top six.
Jeff Blashill may even choose to use Nazar as the first-line center instead of Frondell for the time being, since he has more experience and may be better suited for that kind of pressure. After an inconsistent sophomore season, Nazar needs to make a clear jump.
Frondell’s role also gets a lot bigger, a lot faster. The rookie was already going to draw plenty of attention, but Bedard’s absence makes him even more central to the opening-month plan.
He could be asked to play first-line minutes right away, which would mean matching up against top opposition from day one. That is a heavy assignment for a Swedish teenager, though he at least has one small advantage: he already got his first taste of NHL action at the end of last season.
He won’t be stepping into this completely cold. Frondell should also be right in the mix for the Calder Trophy in what looks like a stacked 2027 rookie class.
Bowen Byram is another player Chicago is clearly counting on. Kyle Davidson paid a steep price to bring him in, giving up a fourth overall draft pick, additional assets and $75 million, which says plenty about how the organization views him.
Now Byram is expected to carry a major load in his new home. No one on the roster is likely to log more ice time in all situations next season, and Chicago will need him to be a true play driver from the blue line.
That was something the team lacked last season. Without Bedard available on the power play at the start, Byram’s job gets tougher right away.
Roman Kantserov enters the picture with a different kind of challenge. Unlike Frondell, he does not have any NHL experience to lean on.
There is a real chance the Blackhawks open with a top line featuring the two rookies, which would put Kantserov in a major offensive role immediately. If Davidson does not add more to the forward group, Chicago will need him to produce.
Bedard’s absence makes that transition harder, but Kantserov does bring years of experience against top competition in the KHL. If the Blackhawks are getting the same version of him that lit up the Russian ranks, that could be a major lift.
He’ll also be a name to watch in the Calder race alongside Frondell.
Then there is Nick Lardis, one of the few players in the system who can really solve Chicago’s scoring problem on his own. Goals have been hard to come by for this team in recent seasons, especially when Bedard has been out, and Lardis has the kind of release that can change that.
His ability to finish stands out even next to Bedard’s, and the Blackhawks will need that kind of shot in the lineup. This will be his first full season in the big leagues, and he should have a spot in the top six.
He was at his best last year when he got the chance to play higher in the lineup, and this is not the kind of talent that should be buried lower down.
In Other News...
Insider Update Changes The Feel Around Connor Bedard's Absence
Connor Bedards latest absence has added another layer to a situation the Blackhawks were already going to have to manage carefully. His contract extension talks with Chicago have not yet reached the stage where the sides are getting into the numbers, and his recent injury has only slowed the process further. For a franchise built around its young center, every missed game matters, even if the bigger picture still points toward a long-term deal down the road.
The encouraging part for Chicago is that the injury outlook does not sound like a drawn-out one, which helps keep the focus on the season rather than on a prolonged setback. Around the league, there was other roster movement as well, with St. Louis bringing back Oskar Sundqvist on a one-year, two-way deal and Montreal signing Bogdan Konyushkov while he stays in the KHL for another season. For the Blackhawks, though, the real storyline remains Bedards return and how quickly the conversation around his next contract can finally move forward. [Read more 🡒]
Patrick Kane Reunion Could Mean More For Blackhawks Than Bedard
A Patrick Kane reunion would naturally stir thoughts of one more run alongside Connor Bedard, but the Blackhawks could end up valuing the veteran winger for a different reason. Chicagos young center pipeline has become a real part of the conversation, and Kanes championship experience and day-to-day presence could matter just as much for Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell and Nick Lardis as any immediate line combination.
Bedard is working back from shoulder surgery and is expected around November, which leaves the Blackhawks with a stretch of time to sort out how Kane would fit if the match comes together. One possible look has Frondell between Tyler Bertuzzi and Kane, though there is already some skepticism about asking Frondell to absorb too much defensively. Either way, the bigger question may be whether Kanes return would be less about nostalgia and more about helping Chicagos next wave learn what winning in this market is supposed to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Face A Risky Patrik Laine Decision That Could Change Everything
Patrik Laine is the kind of swing the Blackhawks can at least afford to consider, especially if the price stays in the low-risk range. A one-year prove-it deal would not ask Chicago to make a long-term commitment, but it would give the front office a chance to see whether Laines shot still plays at a premium level and whether his recent scoring touch can translate into a bigger role alongside the clubs young core.
The appeal is obvious in a lineup that could use another finisher around Connor Bedard, with Tyler Bertuzzi as a possible fit on the left side. The concern is just as clear, because Laines effort level and defensive habits have been questioned before, which means any move like this would come with a built-in test for Jeff Blashill and the staff. For a team trying to balance upside with accountability, it is the sort of decision that could look smart or messy depending on how closely the details are managed. [Read more 🡒]