“[Our young players] are going to make some mistakes, and we’re going to have to be patient. It’s part of it, man. It’s part of where we’re at,” Blashill said, per Ben Pope of Chicago Sun-Times. “There’s nothing wrong with failure if you learn from it.”

Blashill pointed out that Chicago boasts one of the youngest rosters in the NHL. The trade deadline moves involving Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy, and Jason Dickinson only lowered the average age of the Blackhawks’ lineup even further. With that come the growing pains the Hawks are now experiencing.

Blackhawks’ losing streak

Dropping three outings in a row is nothing new for Blashill and the Blackhawks. So far in the 2025–26 NHL season, Chicago has had 10 losing streaks of three or more games (including a six-game winless streak). However, the current skid is the worst yet in terms of goal differential.

In their last three appearances, the Blackhawks have been outplayed by their opponents, allowing 16 goals and scoring just 5. Chicago’s all-time worst losing streak in a single NHL season stands at 10 consecutive defeats in the 2006–07 campaign.

Blackhawks can set new franchise low

With eight games left on their schedule and set to face some tough competition, there is still a scenario in which the Blackhawks make history of the wrong kind to close out the season. If they drop all remaining games, the Hawks will register 11 straight defeats, setting a new franchise record in a single campaign.

It would be a less-than-ideal season finale for Blashill, and it may drive the head coach out of a job in the Windy City. There’s a loud buzz growing around Blashill, and whether he is the right man to lead Connor Bedard and the young Hawks. Such a disheartening ending to the season could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Sullivan praised the contribution of the young players after the win: “I thought the guys played great. You could see the energy the young kids bring to the lineup. It’s contagious with our veteran guys. There were some milestones … I am happy for the players,” he said according to NHL.com.

The three rookies were named the three stars of the game, helping the Rangers reverse momentum and bring fresh energy to a lineup that had struggled in recent weeks. Garand’s strong performance in goal, combined with first-time NHL contributions from Sykora and Fortescue, gave the team a lift on both ends of the ice.

Young players spark energy shift for the Rangers

Garand made several critical saves, including stops on Connor Bedard and Landon Slaggert in the first period. Sullivan noted his consistency: “That’s two really good starts in a row for him, and I’m happy because I know how hard he’s worked to get here.”

The Rangers demonstrated that youth can drive tangible results, boosting veteran performance and helping the team regain confidence in a crucial stretch of the season. This win could mark the beginning of a turnaround fueled by emerging talent.

“We know [Frondell is] a special talent. From everything you hear, super hard worker, super great guy, so I’m just excited to have him over. He’s going to be a good player for us,” Connor Bedard commented on his newest teammate Anton Frondell, via The Athletic’s Scott Powers.

Frondell joined the Blackhawks after his team (Djurgardens IF) back in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) was eliminated from the playoffs. With his season in Europe over, the Hawks decided it was time to fly the 18-year-old across the Atlantic and have him join the squad. Frondell is coming off a 28-point season in the SHL, in which he scored 20 goals and assisted 8 others.

Who will Frondell play with in debut?

Although Jeff Blashill initially dodged a question about Bedard and Frondell potentially playing together, the decision has now been confirmed. The Blackhawks are investing in their young duo right from the get-go.

Frondell will make his NHL debut alongside Bedard and Ryan Greene on the first line. With an average age of 20, the Hawks are now tied with the Sharks for the youngest top forward unit in the league.

What this means for the Blackhawks

This shows just how highly the organization thinks of the Swedish rookie. However, a more pessimistic perspective could see this lineup move as an indicator of how shallow Chicago’s talent depth is. Frondell has yet to take his rookie lap in the league, and he’s already considered a top-liner. Either way, Bedard will welcome him with open arms.

Since he arrived in Chicago, ‘Bedsy’ has yet to be surrounded by top talent, and Frondell has all the tools and potential to become an elite NHLer. The game against the Islanders could be historic. Perhaps it’s the first outing of an alliance that will make much noise in the Windy City.

If the sun ever comes up again at the United Center, it’ll likely be with Bedard and Frondell leading the way. Now, Blackhawks fans finally get to see them together on the ice.

“[Frondell] will be with a good player,” Blashill limited himself to answer, as reported by Kalen Lumpkins of Chicago Tribune.

Blashill may as well have said nothing. As much as the Blackhawks have struggled, calling his players bad would be like shooting himself in the foot multiple times for the head coach. Thus, his answer leaves every possibility on the table.

Where will Frondell play on Blackhawks?

Frondell could join Bedard on the top unit right away, or he might be placed on the fourth line, having to earn his top-six opportunities by spending time on the bottom unit. Either way, Hawks fans are excited to watch Frondell, and they’ll be very disappointed if he isn’t given good opportunities right out of the gate.

For Bedard, the former first overall pick in 2023 has been dreading for a linemate he can build chemistry with. For as long as he’s been with the Blackhawks, Bedard’s line has constantly shifted. He’s seen linemates come and go, and has yet to center a line with true first-line talents around him.

Frondell—the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL entry Draft—could be just that. Still, Blashill is playing his cards close to the chest. Whether the Swedish rookie will join Bedard or another line, it all remains up in the air.

Frondell’s numbers

Only an 18-year-old, Frondell has put up very exciting numbers in the SHL. The teenager tallies 28 points (20 goals and 8 assists) in 43 games this season. Despite playing in a physical league, the 6’1” center has held his ground, and has given Chicago reason to believe he can make the leap to the NHL.

“I don’t think you’re ever ready to be a captain,” Foligno admitted in dialogue with The Athletic. “Honestly, I was never, I’m still not. There’s just so much you learn. But I think [Bedard] would welcome the challenge. He’s a guy that can handle the load, if that’s what you’re asking. He can handle the stress and the responsibility. It’s a learning curve no matter what.”

Needless to say, becoming the Blackhawks captain ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season would mean a lot for Bedard. However, it would also require him to be up for a whole new challenge. Bedard is still young, but has proven time and again to be ahead of his age.

Bedard could be named captain at 21

Bedard will turn 21 years old before the 2026-27 NHL season. While being an alternate captain is a big honor for him, it sometimes feels like too little for the former first overall pick who has the entire future of the Blackhawks organization riding on his shoulders.

Bedard has yet to sign a contract extension in Blackhawks, but all signs indicate that will get done without trouble this summer. And it will likely come with a captaincy, too. It’s the next step, and it’s seemingly on the near horizon.

Some may stand against Bedard being named captain at such a young age, but it might be fitting. The Pittsburgh Penguins named Sidney Crosby captain at 19, and so did the Edmonton Oilers with Connor McDavid. Needless to say, both decisions worked out just fine.

Bedard must be named captain

It may be scary, but perhaps that’s exactly what the Blackhawks need to do: jump into the abyss once and for all. If Chicago stays in its comfort zone, it may never leave the rebuilding phase. If the Hawks are serious about building a championship contender, that wagon has to leave the garage at some point.

When Foligno was named captain—replacing Jonathan Toews—he knew his role was to help Chicago develop the next great leader. Most likely, he wouldn’t be around to see the seed he planted bear fruit. As he watches from Minneapolis–Saint Paul, he can pat himself on the back, for he has done a good job helping Bedard, and it’s now up to the Hawks to hand the kid from North Vancouver the “C”.

Mangiapane had a no-trade clause in his contract, giving him control over his next destination. Rather than wait for another opportunity, he chose to move midseason to Chicago, signaling a willingness to start fresh.

“It was a little tough sledding there in Edmonton. I’m happy to get out and have a nice restart and be with a good organization here,” Mangiapane said, via Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mangiapane’s performance with Edmonton

Through 52 games with Edmonton this season, Mangiapane has totaled seven goals and 14 points. Those numbers are below his usual production, as he has historically been capable of 15-20 goals per season and even recorded a 35-goal campaign in the past.

Opportunity for a fresh start in Chicago

The Blackhawks hope Mangiapane can regain his scoring touch. A strong performance could help Chicago contend next season or position Mangiapane for a move to a contender at next year’s NHL trade deadline.

“New York acquired forward Aidan Thompson from Chicago in exchange for defenseman Derrick Pouliot,” as announced by the Rangers on their X account, @NYRangers.

Still, as the 3:00 PM ET deadline has gone by, no news of Vincent Trocheck have been heard. Barring a late trade that has yet to go through the NHL, it looks like the Rangers have prolonged Trocheck’s stay with Mike Sullivan.

Still, until Trocheck’s stay is confirmed, fans should remain on the edge of their seats. In the NHL, referees can put seconds back on the clock, and at the trade deadline it’s no different, as moves can sometimes be confirmed after the official cutoff time.

Rangers’ prior trade

Before confirming Thompson is the newest Blueshirt on Broadway, the Rangers had completed another trade before the deadline. That time, Sam Carrick was sent to the Buffalo Sabres, who look like a Stanley Cup contender for the first time in a very long time.

Though a tough loss, trading the key forward led to a boost in draft stock for the Rangers, who are diving deep into their retool. In order to build a true championship-contending roster, New York must first ace its upcoming draft selections.

While Bedard and the Blackhawks have nothing but respect and gratitude for Foligno, the young team in Windy City is ready to turn the page. That sentiment was made visible after Bedard broke his silence on recent Blackhawks trades with a clear message for the front office.

Now, Bedard—who recently secured a key promotion—becoming an alternate captain for the remainder of the campaign, dropped yet another powerful statement. This time, clearly reflecting the unapologetic mindset that a roster as filled with youth as Chicago’s would take.

“He better keep his head up out there for the boys,” Bedard jokingly said about Foligno, via Ben Pope of Chicago Sun-Times. “I think he’s going to look a little ugly in those jerseys.” Bedard’s Blackhawks and Foligno’s Wild will meet in a home-and-home series on March 17-19. On a more serious note, Bedard posted a message for Foligno on social media. “Gonna miss you, brother. Go win one,” he posted on Instagram stories.

New leader in Chicago

While Bedard’s message for Foligno was meant as banter, it could also reflect the new direction the Blackhawks are headed in—at the very least, the direction Bedard hopes his team takes. Foligno’s trade didn’t catch anybody by surprise. It was a very real possibility, especially after reports hinted Bedard could lose his captain following Foligno’s cryptic comment on his NHL future.

Still, just because the team was ready for it and expecting such a trade doesn’t mean they walk away from it unscathed. However, the Hawks have seen so many faces head out the door that they might be immune to the pain by now. Bedard made it clear that’s not the case—it stings.

Fortunately for Chicago, Bedard has made it his goal to guarantee the 2025–26 campaign was the last time the Blackhawks were sellers before the trade deadline, at least for as long as he is in town. With him trending to re-sign and be named captain ahead of next season, it looks like Bedard will be around for a long while.

Nick Foligno could be on his way to Minneapolis-St. Paul. The former Blackhawks captain is reportedly the latest acquisition for the Wild, who are making their push for a Stanley Cup no secret around the NHL. Joining Quinn Hughes and company, Nick Foligno will be joining his brother Marcus, who plays left winger for Minnesota.

“Sources say the Wild are closing in on acquiring Nick Foligno from Blackhawks,” insider Frank Seravalli stated on his X account.

While Nick’s name had been very loud in the rumor mill, not many saw the move to the Wild happening—even if it made complete sense. Still, GM Bill Guerin witnessed the impact the Hughes and Tkachuk brothers had on Team USA and may have decided to try his luck with Nick and Marcus Foligno ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After the NY Rangers received the Wild’s final offer for Vincent Trocheck, Foligno’s addition along with other moves may well signal Minnesota is officially out of the race for the veteran center.

Trade details

According to Emily Kaplan from ESPN, the Blackhawks aren’t retaining any percentage of Foligno’s $4.5 million cap hit, as Chicago has no retention slots remaining. Moreover, the reported return for the Hawks are future considerations. Essentially, the Hawks have given the green light for their captain to go chase his first Stanley Cup, and do so with his brother Marcus in Minnesota.

As reported by Michael Russo of The Athletic, Nick Foligno came close to signing with the Minnesota Wild in 2021. Instead, he chose to join the Boston Bruins at that time.

It took a while, but NHL fate has finally driven him to the Twin Cities. The Foligno brothers grew up playing together in Buffalo, New York. Now, they will get to relive those childhood memories, but this time with a Stanley Cup as the ultimate goal.

It has reached a point where the generational talent is beginning to lose his patience with the rebuild process the Blackhawks are in. Bedard made that clear recently with a straightforward message aimed at the organization.

“It’s motivating that this is the last year that we’re in a spot where we’re moving guys that help us win,” Bedard dropped a fiery statement for the Blackhawks to hear, via Ben Pope of Chicago Sun-Times. “That’s a shi— feeling. [We’ll] just try to not let that happen [again].”

Bedard has had enough

While his commitment to the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago isn’t wavering, Bedard is sick and tired of being held back by his organization. Frustration only grows for him as reports indicate Bedard could lose another veteran teammate after Nick Foligno dropped a cryptic comment.

Moreover, watching fellow first-overall picks like Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer enjoy significant team success right from the get-go must not be a pleasant sight for Bedard. Since he entered the NHL in 2023, his Blackhawks haven’t been close to sniffing the playoffs.

The Blackhawks must not panic just yet, but they should be careful not to frustrate Bedard too much. After all, the franchise savior has yet to sign a contract extension and is trending to become a restricted free agent on July 1st.

Same old (young) Blackhawks

This season, it felt different for Bedard. A hot start to the year had Chicago hoping of a playoff appearance. Naive, perhaps, but Bedard and his teammates had sky-high expectations.

“Two weeks ago, me, [Colton Dach] and [Ryan] Greene were on vacation, talking about, ‘After we win the Cup, we’re going to go back.’ It’s hard,” Bedard confessed. Now, Dach isn’t even in Chicago. He was traded to Edmonton in the same package that sent Jason Dickinson to The Gateway to the North. In return, the Hawks received a conditional 1st round pick in 2027 and Andrew Mangiapane.

In the blink of an eye, all progress has been wiped away for the Blackhawks. They find themselves back in the same position they have occupied ahead of every trade deadline since Bedard arrived in town.

Needless to say, Bedard has proven he can rise to the occasion and lead the Blackhawks. Chicago showed its confidence and trust in Bedard, who secured a key promotion after the Winter Olympics snub.

However, Bedard and company may now be in for a rude awakening, as reports hint that captain Nick Foligno could be on his way out. Far from putting the matter to rest, Foligno’s cryptic response only raised suspicion that an offer may already be on the table.

“It’s been an absolute honor to be the captain here, so I’m still fully committed to that until told otherwise,” Foligno stated, via Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. “But there’s a competitor inside you, too, that wants to be playing meaningful games.”

Bedard and Blackhawks could become captain-less

Based on Foligno’s confession, it’s clear the thought of moving out of Chicago has crossed his mind. Moreover, his words indicate he is aware of the noise around his name and it raises alarms for a potential trade that would leave the Blackhawks without their captain and most experienced player.

Chicago has already traded alternate captain Jason Dickinson to the Oilers, meaning if Foligno is out, as well, then Bedard will be the only player wearing a letter on his jersey’s front. Last-minute announcements could be made to hand other players an “A” but none will have as loud a voice as the 20-year-old generational talent has.

A Foligno trade would only state the obvious: GM Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks are looking ahead. Chicago is bracing the future and its youth-studded lineup only proves that. If Foligno packs his bags, Matt Grzelcyk (born on Jan. 5, 1994) will become the oldest player on the team.