Ryan Greene’s biggest calling card may be the thing that keeps him valuable even if his role changes.
The 22-year-old rookie emerged as one of the Chicago Blackhawks’ most useful pieces last season, working his way from an opening-night fourth-line center into one of Connor Bedard’s steadiest linemates. That run gave Chicago a clear look at what Greene can do, and it also set up a different kind of question for 2026-27: if the top line looks different, where does Greene fit?
The answer may be everywhere.
Greene’s path last season showed how adaptable he can be. He opened against the Florida Panthers as the fourth-line center, then climbed to the top line with Bedard and Andre Burakovsky by the end of October.
That move required him to shift into more of a wing role, even though center has always been his natural spot. He also logged time back down the middle, including during Bedard’s shoulder injury recovery.
For Greene, the adjustment never sounded like a major hurdle. In December, when asked whether the switch between wing and center felt seamless, he said, "I would say yeah, just because...
I played center my whole life. I've never really played the wing, and then obviously, I got put on the wing there for a little bit with Connor, and I thought it was good.
Like, I didn't find it too hard to adjust to, but getting thrown back there... I wouldn't say it's something that's hard for me to do, just because I've played center for so long."
The production backed up the versatility. Greene finished with 12 goals, 29 points, and a 42.5 percent faceoff percentage in 81 games. His offense was a work in progress for much of the year, but he closed strong, scoring in three straight games to end the season.
Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill had a similar read on Greene’s game in March, praising the way he fit alongside Bedard and the way he handled the day-to-day grind. Blashill said, "Well, it's interesting, right?
Like you get a chance every day to kind of build your resume, and he's done a good job of building that in a positive fashion. And, you know, what he is?... he's not chaotic in his game.
His game's pretty calm, and he's pretty smart. So I think that helps him play with a guy, like with Connor, because he can kind of read off him, and he doesn't have a lot of, like, just crazy moments.
He just plays a pretty... I don't want to say simple game.
But it's simple enough, but yet, can make a pass and can make a good feed in those situations, and he's pretty good defensively. So... we'll see where it goes.
At some point, I may have to try him out at center a little bit more, as this kind of keeps going through the year and the last whatever games we have left. But he's done a good job kind of being a good, complementary player in the top line.”
That flexibility could matter even more next season. With Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov in the fold, Greene may not spend as much time locked onto Bedard’s wing.
He’ll still be a strong center option, alongside Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, and Oliver Moore. And with Bedard out to start the year, Greene could get more chances down the middle.
The Blackhawks also know his game fits the bottom six if that’s where he’s needed. But they’ve already seen he can handle a top-six job and produce there, too. That kind of range gives Chicago options, whether Greene ends up at center or wing.
Greene’s own focus hasn’t changed. During exit interviews, he said, "I think just getting over pucks, winning pucks, and just making sure I'm responsible defensively.
I think I need to be somebody who's a 200-foot player for this team. So, just taking pride in that."
That mindset, plus the ability to move up and down the lineup, is what makes Greene such an interesting piece heading into 2026-27.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Suddenly Face A Big Penalty Kill Debate
The Blackhawks head into the offseason with one of those quiet questions that can turn loud in a hurry: what happens to a penalty kill that was among the leagues best a year ago after several of its most important pieces are gone? Chicago still has reasons to feel encouraged after finishing last season second in the NHL on the kill, but the units success was built on more than one player, and the roster looks different now after the departures of Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy, Ilya Mikheyev and Louis Crevier.
The organization has tried to patch things over with additions such as Ian Cole, Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway, but replacing the chemistry and reliable minutes from that short-handed group is never simple. The expectation around the league is that the penalty kill will slip some in the 2026-27 season, and for a Blackhawks team trying to keep building momentum, even a modest drop could matter in a big way when the margins tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Roman Kantserov Could Change How Dangerous The Blackhawks Offense Looks
Roman Kantserov is still waiting on his NHL debut, but the Blackhawks already sound ready to give him a serious runway when he arrives in 2026-27. The 21-year-old forward has built his case overseas as a high-end scorer, and Chicago views him as more than just another young name in the pipeline. General manager Kyle Davidson has pointed to Kantserov as a player who can add real offense, which matters for a club trying to make the most of its emerging core.
The fit is what makes the possibility especially intriguing. Chicago has already started imagining how Kantserov could slot into the lineup around Connor Bedard, with Patrick Kane also part of the offensive picture, and that kind of support could ease the transition for a player coming from the KHL. Kantserov has acknowledged the chance to learn alongside established talent while adjusting to the NHL, but the bigger question is how quickly he can turn that promise into production once he gets to Chicago. [Read more 🡒]
Ian Cole Gives Blackhawks Fans One More Reason To Watch Early
The Blackhawks added Ian Cole on a one-year deal with a clear purpose in mind: steady the blue line and give a young defensive group a veteran they can lean on. Chicagos front office has pointed to his durability and experience as part of the appeal, and Cole arrives with the kind of resume that usually matters most on a team still sorting out its future. For a club trying to build structure while developing talent, a seasoned defenseman can be just as important off the ice as he is in his own end.
Cole also comes with a nearby career milestone that will be worth keeping an eye on as the season opens. He is on the doorstep of 1,000 NHL games, a marker that speaks to longevity, health and a role that has kept him in demand for years. It gives Blackhawks fans one more early-season reason to follow along, even as the bigger questions about how this defense settles in will take longer to answer. [Read more 🡒]