Blackhawks News

WESTERN CENTRAL

Connor Bedard • C • Blackhawks

Connor Bedard Injures Left Shoulder in Practice

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard suffered an apparent shoulder injury during Thursday's practice. During a three-on-three drill, he lost his balance and crashed into the boards. As he stood up, Bedard clutched his right shoulder and eventually left the ice. Although the offseason has just begun and Bedard has plenty of time to recover before the next campaign, this is still concerning. The 20-year-old star dealt with a right shoulder injury in 2025-26, missing about a month. Now he may be forced to spend part of his offseason nursing an injury to his other shoulder. Before being knocked out of the lineup in December, Bedard was among the NHL's top scorers. He finished his third NHL campaign with a career-high 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games. Bedard became a restricted free agent on July 1.

5 days ago

Bowen Byram • D • Blackhawks

Bowen Byram to Become NHL's Highest-Paid Defenseman

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram has agreed to a historic six-year, $75 million contract extension. The deal will take effect in 2027-28 and carry a $12.5 million cap hit, the highest ever for a defenseman. Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson currently has the largest cap hit among defensemen at $11.5 million. Chicago acquired Byram last week in a deal that included the No. 4 pick in the 2026 draft. His current cap hit stands at $6.25 million. In 2025-26, the 25-year-old blue-liner registered a career-high 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 82 appearances. With his eye-popping new contract, Byram will face high expectations, and it will be interesting to see how well he handles the situation.

7 days ago

Bowen Byram • D • Blackhawks

Blackhawks Give Up No. 4 Pick in Trade for Bowen Byram

Defenseman Bowen Byram will suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks next season after being acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. In the deal, Chicago also acquired forward Jordan Greenway, giving up the fourth and 45th picks in the 2026 draft and defensemen Louis Crevier. This marks the first time in 15 years that a team has traded a top-five draft pick in the NHL. It came as part of a deal for a player who could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Byram had a strong year in Buffalo, amassing a career-high 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games. He also recorded 109 SOG, 93 blocks, 50 hits, and a plus-15 rating. On a Chicago team in dire need of more quality on defense, Byram figures to play a major role and log plenty of ice time.

Jun 24

Connor Bedard • C • Blackhawks

Connor Bedard Has Two Assists in Season Finale

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard wrapped up his third NHL campaign with a two-assist effort in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. His playmaking ability fueled Chicago's four-goal third period, which turned a 2-1 deficit into a comfortable win for the home team. Bedard joined Denis Savard and Eddie Olczyk as the third Blackhawks player to record a 75-point campaign at age 20 or younger. A midseason shoulder injury kept Bedard sidelined for a significant portion of the campaign, but he still finished as Chicago's top scorer, with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 outings. The top pick of the 2023 draft averaged at least a point per game for the first time in his young career. It should be the first of many, as the 20-year-old has firmly established himself among the NHL's new generation of superstars.

Apr 16

Oliver Moore • C • Blackhawks

Oliver Moore Won't Play Wednesday

Chicago Blackhawks center Oliver Moore (lower body) will sit out Wednesday's regular-season finale against the San Jose Sharks, Vinnie Parise of The Hockey News reports. Moore has missed more than a month due to a lower-body injury. There was a chance he would return for the final game of the season, but the team has decided against it. Moore finishes his rookie campaign with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 51 games. The 2023 first-round pick will hope to take a sophomore leap in 2026-27 as part of Chicago's young core.

Apr 15

Frank Nazar • C • Blackhawks

Frank Nazar Good to Go Monday

Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (mouth) is expected to play on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres, The Athletic's Mark Lazerus reports. Nazar took a puck to the face on Saturday against St. Louis, forcing him to leave the game early. But he won't have to sit out any additional time. The 22-year-old has registered 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 64 games during his sophomore season. He is expected to skate with Ryan Donato and Andre Burakovsky in Monday's game. Nazar will also remain part of Chicago's first power-play unit.

Apr 13

Frank Nazar • C • Blackhawks

Frank Nazar Exits Loss Early After Taking Puck to Face

Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (mouth) missed most of Saturday's matchup with the St. Louis Blues after taking a puck to the face. The incident occurred a few minutes into the second period. "I think Frank's going to be all right," Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said postgame. "He had to get some dental work done, but I think he'll be all right." Earlier this season, Nazar was forced to miss a month of action due to a broken jaw from a puck hitting him in the face. It appears he wasn't as severely hurt this time around, though it remains to be seen whether the Blackhawks will use him in their final two games of the season. Nazar is Chicago's third-highest scorer, with 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 64 games. He is seen as a key part of the franchise's future, having signed a $46.2 million, seven-year contract extension ahead of this season.

Apr 12

Andrew Mangiapane • LW • Blackhawks

Andrew Mangiapane Labeled Day-to-Day

Chicago Blackhawks winger Andrew Mangiapane (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day after he was hurt during Saturday's 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The veteran forward left the contest midway through the third period after crashing hard into the net. Chicago faces two more regular-season games against Buffalo and San Jose. Jeff Blashill's team is out of playoff contention, so there's little incentive to rush Mangiapane back for these games. Saturday's matchup was Mangiapane's 10th outing with the Blackhawks. He has posted one goal and one assist since arriving from Edmonton in March. Overall, Mangiapane has notched just 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 52 outings. He has disappointed fantasy managers who expected a bounce-back season from him.

Apr 12

Andrew Mangiapane • LW • Blackhawks

Andrew Mangiapane Available for Monday's Tilt

Chicago Blackhawks winger Andrew Mangiapane (upper body) is available for selection on Monday against the San Jose Sharks, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He's been sidelined for nine games due to an upper-body injury. The veteran is expected to take Andre Burakovsky's spot in the lineup. Mangiapane had a tough time making an impact with the Edmonton Oilers this season, and his start to life in the Windy City hasn't been much better either. In seven outings with the Blackhawks, Mangiapane has produced one goal and one assist with six SOG. Perhaps a matchup against the second-worst defense in the league can help him get going on Monday night.

Apr 6

Nick Lardis • RW • Blackhawks

Nick Lardis Available Against Kraken

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis (hand) is expected to play on Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken. It was initially unclear whether he would be healthy enough for the contest after injuring his left hand late in Thursday's loss to Edmonton. Lardis skated on the first line Saturday morning and will be part of the second power-play unit. The 20-year-old has recently been hot in front of goal, scoring in four of his last seven outings. He boasts nine goals and 14 points in 35 games for the season.

Apr 4

Nick Lardis • RW • Blackhawks

Nick Lardis Injures Left Hand Thursday

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis injured his left hand late in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reports. Teammate Teuvo Teravainen hit him on the hand with a shot. Lardis netted Chicago's lone goal of the game five minutes into the third frame. The 20-year-old rookie has totaled 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 35 games this season. He has lit the lamp four times in his last seven appearances, but it's unclear whether he will get a chance to maintain his form on Saturday against Seattle. If he's healthy enough to play, Andrew Mangiapane (upper body) might be an option to fill in for Lardis. The veteran has been out for a couple of weeks but is traveling with the team.

Apr 3

Matt Grzelcyk • D • Blackhawks

Matt Grzelcyk Unavailable for Reminder of Season

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reports. He suffered an upper-body injury in March and has sat out five games. The early end of Grzelcky's campaign means that he will finish the season without scoring a single goal. After a career-high 40 points (one goal, 39 assists) in Pittsburgh last season, Grzelcyk's offensive contributions were limited to 11 assists in 69 games this term. Chicago has lost Artyom Levshunov (hand) until the end of the season, giving Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro opportunities to play.

Apr 1

Artyom Levshunov • D • Blackhawks

Artyom Levshunov Ruled Out for Rest of Season

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov (hand) won't return to action this season, Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reports. The 20-year-old rookie sustained a fractured hand last week and has already sat out two games. Levshunov will wrap up the campaign with 24 points (two goals, 22 assists), 84 SOG, 75 blocks, 98 hits, and a minus-41 rating in 68 games. The No. 2 pick of the 2024 draft clearly has to improve his even-strength play to boost his fantasy stock. He is expected to be a big part of the Blackhawks' future.

Apr 1

Frank Nazar • C • Blackhawks

Frank Nazar Scores Twice on Sunday

Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar scored two goals on Sunday, but it was not enough to defeat the New Jersey Devils as his club lost 5-3. The young American was in a little bit of a slump with just two points in his last six games, but he broke out of it in a big way on Sunday. Nazar is having a solid sophomore season with 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games played this year.

Mar 29

Artyom Levshunov • D • Blackhawks

Artyom Levshunov Out With Fractured Hand

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov (hand) won't play on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils. The 20-year-old will depart the lineup due to a small fracture in his left hand. According to Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill, Levshunov hurt his hand in Tuesday's win over the New York Islanders. He played in two more games this week with the injury. Levshunov has recorded 24 points (two goals, 22 assists) in 68 games during his rookie season. However, he also has a league-worst minus-41 rating, as Levshunov has struggled in even-strength situations. Kevin Korchinski is expected to enter the lineup on Sunday as Levshunov's replacement, making his fifth appearance of the season.

Mar 29

Nick Lardis • RW • Blackhawks

Nick Lardis Pots Another Goal Friday Night

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis scored the team's only goal in Friday's 6-1 loss to the New York Rangers. He opened the scoring in the contest late in the first period, but the Blackhawks were overrun at Madison Square Garden. Chicago has struggled during the second half of the season, yet Lardis has recently enjoyed the best stretch of his rookie campaign. The 20-year-old has scored in three of the last four games, adding two assists. Overall, he has totaled 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 32 games. Lardis has experienced quite a bit of frustration during his first NHL campaign, but he's finishing the year strongly and will look to keep his form going on Sunday against New Jersey.

Mar 28

Matt Grzelcyk • D • Blackhawks

Matt Grzelcyk to Miss Four-Game Road Trip

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) won't join the team for an upcoming four-game road trip, The Athletic's Mark Lazerus reports. The 32-year-old suffered an upper-body injury in Sunday's loss to the Nashville Predators. Grzelcyk is in danger of finishing the season without scoring a goal, but he has contributed 12 assists in 69 games. Ethan Del Mastro, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday, will get a chance to re-enter the lineup with Grzelcyk on the shelf. While Del Mastro has averaged 0.4 points per game in his AHL career, he has gone scoreless in eight NHL outings this season.

Mar 23

Spencer Knight • G • Blackhawks

Spencer Knight Shuts Down the Wild on Thursday

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight made 28 saves in a tight 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. It was a tough matchup, but the American netminder played very well and made some key saves to hold on to the 2-1 lead. Knight now has a 2.63 goals against average and a .909 save percentage in 46 appearances this year.

Mar 19

Wyatt Kaiser • D • Blackhawks

Wyatt Kaiser Sustains Upper-Body Injury Thursday

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (upper body) may have to miss some time again after being hurt in Thursday's overtime win against the Utah Mammoth. Kaiser, who recently missed four games due to a lower-body injury, suffered an upper-body injury on Thursday when he was involved in a collision with Mammoth forward Michael Carcone late in the third period. The 23-year-old has tallied 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 61 games this season, adding 60 shots, 53 blocks, and 37 hits. If Kaiser isn't available on Saturday night against Vegas, Ethan Del Mastro will get a chance to make his fifth appearance of the season. In his few outings, Del Mastro hasn't tallied any points but has racked up defensive stats.

Mar 13

Spencer Knight • G • Blackhawks

Spencer Knight Available Thursday

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight (illness) will be available for Thursday's matchup with the Utah Mammoth, Kalen Lumpkins of the Chicago Tribune reports. The 24-year-old netminder has sat out three games due to illness. Knight has had it tough lately, dropping seven of his last eight decisions. Still, he's done solid work in the crease for the Blackhawks in 2025-26, posting a 16-18-8 record, a 2.62 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and three shutouts. Knight beat Utah 3-1 in October, and Chicago will look to sweep the regular-season series on Thursday.

Mar 12

Blackhawks News

LEGEND