Blackhawks season preview: Kane return could provide spark for playoff push

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last season: 29-39-14, eighth in Central Division; missed Stanley Cup Playoffs

Coach: Jeff Blashill (second season)

Biggest challenge

Starting the season without Connor Bedard will be tough on the Blackhawks. The center is expected to be out until November after having surgery on his left shoulder, which he injured while practicing in Vancouver on July 2. Bedard has been Chicago’s leading scorer in each of his three seasons in the NHL, even though he’s sustained an injury that’s kept him out of double-digit games in two of those seasons. He led them last season with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games. His absence will test the Blackhawks’ depth at center immediately, and the onus will be on those remaining including Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, Oliver Moore and Ryan Donato. Forward Roman Kantserov, who’s coming over from Russia, said he’s played center as well, but more likely he’ll be on the right wing.

How they make playoffs

Let’s start with scoring. The Blackhawks need much more of it after averaging 2.56 goals per game last season (30th in the NHL). Adding familiar face and three-time Stanley Cup winner Patrick Kane (two-year, $16 million contract) should help stoke the offense. Forward Tyler Bertuzzi needs to score like last season, when he had 58 points (32 goals, 26 assists) in 79 games. Nazar will look to improve off last season when he had 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 66 games. The Blackhawks also need stronger defense after allowing 3.29 goals per game last season (27th in the League). Bowen Byram, who they acquired from the Buffalo Sabres and signed to a six-year, $75 million contract ($12.5 million average annual value) on July 1, is expected to boost a young defense group. Spencer Knight must be steady in goal, where he was 19-25-11 with a 2.82 goals-against average, .902 save percentage and three shutouts in 55 games last season.

Most intriguing addition

It’s a bit of a toss-up between Byram and Kane, but we’re going with Byram, because of the expectations heaped on him in the present and future. The 25-year-old has not been a No. 1 defenseman in his previous stops. He was behind Cale Makar with the Colorado Avalanche and Rasmus Dahlin with the Sabres. The Blackhawks, however, see him as their No. 1. He’ll likely play on the right side with Alex Vlasic, 25, who’s had to shoulder a lot the past few seasons with a young defense. The Blackhawks gave up a lot for Byram (the Nos. 4 and 45 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft and defenseman Louis Crevier) and signed him to a big deal. Now to see Byram live up to it all.

Biggest potential surprise

Kantserov enters training camp with some high expectations. The Blackhawks see him as a top-line wing, and he was expected to play with Bedard before the latter’s injury. The 21-year-old had the best season of his Kontinental Hockey League career last season when he had 64 points (36 goals, 26 assists) in 63 games with Mettalurg. Kantserov doesn’t lack confidence; you notice that from the first moment you talk to him. Adjusting to the North American ice and speed of the NHL game are going to be the two biggest challenges facing him, but Kantserov skated this summer in the New York City area with fellow Russian players and some New York Rangers. If he can adjust quickly, he and the Blackhawks will be in great shape.

Ready to contribute

Frondell showed great promise when he made his NHL debut late last season. Now it’s time for him to build on it. The 19-year-old had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 12 games with the Blackhawks after finishing with 28 points (20 goals, eight assists) in 43 games with Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League last season. Frondell spent most of last season at right wing, but the Blackhawks want to move him to center. That will benefit their depth and it’s a position he’s played before. Much like Kantserov, Frondell is confident in his abilities. He’s ready to help Chicago on a grander scale.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Anton Frondell, F: The No. 3 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft had nine points (three goals, six assists), two on the power play, and 36 shots on goal in his first 12 NHL games for Chicago at the end of last season; he became the sixth player since 2015-16 to have at least nine points in his first 12 games as an 18-year-old; the others were Connor McDavid, Patrik Laine, Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer. Frondell is a fringe top 15 option in keeper and dynasty formats, but could be underestimated in standard, redraft leagues. Per NHL EDGE stats, Frondell ranked highly among forwards in both hardest shot (93.56 mph; 94th percentile) and average shot speed (61.82 mph; 94th percentile) as a rookie last season in a small sample size. And, with a chance to shoulder a heavy workload early in the season during Bedard’s injury absence, Frondell has the ceiling of being a Calder Trophy contender and could be a big fantasy steal in the process (average draft position: 140.4). -- Pete Jensen

Projected lineup

Tyler Bertuzzi -- Anton Frondell -- Roman Kantserov

Nick Lardis -- Frank Nazar -- Patrick Kane

Ryan Greene -- Oliver Moore -- Teuvo Teravainen

Jordan Greenway -- Ryan Donato -- Cole Smith 

Alex Vlasic -- Bowen Byram

Wyatt Kaiser -- Artyom Levshunov

Ian Cole -- Sam Rinzel

Spencer Knight

Arvid Soderblom