During the Blackhawks‘ first game of the 2026-27 NHL season, and Kane’s first game back with the team, the three-time Stanley Cup champion was joined on the top forward line by youngsters Oliver Moore and Roman Kantserov, who was making his league debut.

The line’s average age was 26.7 years, and that was brought up by 37-year-old Kane playing next to 21- and 22-year-olds. However, they couldn’t produce much. Thus, Blashill has now changed things up across the Blackhawks’ lines.

As reported by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago showed new lines in practice after the loss to the Golden Knights in Las Vegas. Kane was joined by veteran and fellow alternate captain Tyler Bertuzzi (31) and rookie Anton Frondell (19).

Changes all over the lineup

Frondell had played alongside Bertuzzi on the second line on opening night, along with Andrew Mangiapane, who is out with a lower-body injury. As for Moore and Kantserov, they have been split up.

Moore is now on the third line with Frank Nazar and Ryan Donato, while Kantserov was moved down by Blashill to the second line, centering a line with Teuvo Teravainen and Nick Lardis.

Tough night for Chicago’s first line

Though Kane scored a goal to momentarily trim the Hawks’ deficit to 3-2, his goal was unassisted, and his linemates couldn’t get much going. While Moore was playing in his 61st NHL game, Kantserov was making his pro debut in North America. Not even Kane, with 1,370 games under his belt, could help the inexperienced duo against last season’s runners-up, the Golden Knights.

Clearly, something must change for the Hawks. Indeed, they must work on their turnovers and limit the number of odd-man chances they give up, but it will also take a different formula. And Blashill wasted no time doing so, as he’s already experimenting with different combinations after only one game in the 2026-27 NHL campaign.

While Bedard let Blashill and the Blackhawks know his true feelings about being sidelined, Chicago won’t rush him back. For the time being, it will be trial and error until Blashill finds the perfect lines in Windy City, and with Bedard out of the picture, the team may be in for more misses than hits.

Key takeaways

• Head coach Jeff Blashill reshuffled the lines following a loss to Las Vegas.
• Patrick Kane is on a new top line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Anton Frondell.
• Kane scored an unassisted goal to reduce Chicago’s deficit to 3-2.

Having recently been named team captain and entering a crucial season in which Chicago finally has real aspirations, it’s easy to see why he won’t want to miss a single moment. Bedard is joining the Blackhawks, though Blashill set the record straight, for the first road trip of the season, but he won’t practice or play, and that simply won’t cut it for the young leader who’s anxious to get back on the ice.

Asked whether his original timeline is still standing and if he will indeed miss the first month of the new NHL season, Bedard didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts. The captain’s statement is one Blashill will definitely get wind of, though the bench-boss remains committed to listening to the medical staff’s careful approach.

“I don’t know [if I will be out a month]. I’m doing what I can, [my left shoulder] feels really good,” Bedard admitted during an interview with What Chaos! “I’m out there, doing basically everything on the ice. So, who knows? It’s obviously not really up to me in the end. I would play right now if I could. A lot smarter people make that decision, but we’ll see, just do what I can on a day-to-day.”

Blackhawks clear the air around Bedard’s timeline

When Bedard suffered the offseason injury to his left shoulder and underwent surgery to repair it, the Hawks announced a four-month timeline for Bedard to be fully healthy again. That meant Bedard, who was injured in July, would be able to return to the ice in November. However, general manager Kyle Davidson has put that timeline into question, too.

“Davidson says he doesn’t have any update to Connor Bedard’s return timeline yet,” as reported by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. “All along, we were going to find out new information, if anything, probably in October,” Davidson admitted, per Ben Pope. “Until we have that…”

For the time being, Bedard will have to wait a little longer, even if he is growing sick and tired of being kept in bubble wrap by Blashill, Davidson, and the Blackhawks when he feels he’s ready to go.

Bedard’s injuries in Chicago

Entering the first season under his new, five-year, $75 million contract extension ($15 million AAV), Bedard wants to be out there on the ice as much as he can for the Blackhawks. Unfortunately, Bedard has been forced to miss time with injuries several times throughout his still-young NHL career.

First, Bedard broke his jaw during his rookie year, being sidelined for roughly six weeks, and missing 14 games. The injury also cost him an appearance at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, which the former first overall pick had earned an invite to.

During his sophomore year in 2024-25, Bedard was able to stay healthy all the way through, completing his first—and only—82-game campaign. With the regular season extending to 84 games, Bedard likely won’t ever finish with such a mark and be able to call it a perfect year.

Lastly, Bedard suffered what he called a “freak injury” to his right shoulder and ended up missing 13 games that season. For a second-straight season, Bedard will miss some games. Exactly how many? That remains a mystery.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard expressed subtle frustration over being sidelined for at least one month.
• General manager Kyle Davidson stated the return timeline remains uncertain until October updates.
• A five-year, $75 million extension marks the start of the captain’s new contract.

That was true when Blashill and the Blackhawks shut down early return rumors surrounding Bedard. It remains that way as the team announced Bedard will be joining the rest of the Hawks on the road for the opening three-game road trip of the NHL campaign. Blashill cleared the air and left no doubts: Bedard won’t play, nor will he even practice with the rest of the squad. He has work to do before Chicago can clear him for such activities.

“Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill said Connor Bedard will join the team for the start of the three-game road trip but he’s not expected to be cleared for practice during it, so he still has some hurdles to clear,” as reported by Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio 720.

When will Bedard return?

As much progress as the 38th captain in franchise history has made throughout the offseason and preseason, his initial recovery timeline remains unchanged. At least, Blashill and the Blackhawks haven’t publicly admitted to any modifications to it. Thus, the Hawks must operate under the assumption that Bedard will miss the first month of the 2026-27 NHL campaign.

Bedard underwent surgery to repair his left shoulder in July after he sustained an injury while practicing in his hometown. Since then, the Blackhawks have maintained a four-month timeline for Bedard, who could return to the lineup in November. Obviously, Bedard will make an effort to be back before then, but Blashill and the Blackhawks will roll no dice.

The 21-year-old star, captain and franchise player will have to prove himself and leave no doubts unanswered before the Hawks activate him. As things stand, though, Bedard is considered week-to-week with a shoulder injury, so anything might happen, and Bedard may actually be back before long.

Blashill makes last-minute lineup change

With Bedard out of the lineup to start the season, much speculation surrounded who would be the center on Chicago’s top line, earning the privilege of playing alongside Patrick Kane. Up until this point, it looked like Frank Nazar would run away with the 1C job. However, Blashill made a couple of shocking, last-minute tweaks to the lineup.

Instead, rookie Roman Kantserov, coming off a 64-point season in the KHL but yet to make his NHL debut, will be the team’s first-line center. Nazar, on the other hand, has been taken out of the top six and dropped all the way to the third line. In the eyes of Coach Blashill, though, it’s not a punishment for Nazar, but a way of having him carry his own line while getting a good look at Kantserov at the faceoff dot in the NHL.

Blashill explains changes to Blackhawks’ lineup

“I just felt ultimately we hadn’t gotten enough out of the three lines with the combinations we had used,” Blashill said. “One, got to see [Kantserov] at center, I feel confident he can play center in the NHL. Two, I think [Nazar] can carry his own line a little bit. If that’s the case, you could be looking at [three top] lines that could go out and win their matchup.”

In an effort to balance out the lineup amid Bedard’s absence, Blashill has sent out a clear statement with his final lineups for NHL opening night in Las Vegas. Whether it was the right move or not, the final score will tell, but Blashill has set a precedent: his pulse won’t tremble. He will have to keep it up regardless of which name comes out on the short end, though. If not, that’s a call for trouble.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard will join the Blackhawks’ road trip but is not cleared for practice.
• The 21-year-old captain is expected to miss the first month of the season.
• Roman Kantserov will start as the team’s first-line center instead of Frank Nazar.

“Connor Bedard isn’t close yet to joining the Blackhawks for practice, Blashill said,” as reported by Scott Powers of The Athletic Chicago.

The timing behind Blashill’s announcement on where Bedard stands in his recovery is no coincidence, either. It arrives on the heels of a recent sighting that hinted Bedard could force the Blackhawks into a rushed lineup decision, as the 38th captain in Blackhawks history was seen taking slap shots during an on-ice session.

The last time an injured Bedard was seen participating in such drills, he returned to Chicago’s NHL lineup just days afterward. It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, though. Still, it’s clear Bedard is making progress and checking boxes in his return to the ice after offseason surgery to repair his left shoulder.

Bedard keeps original timeline despite recent positive news

For the time being, the Blackhawks haven’t updated Bedard’s timeline, meaning the original one announced back in July still stands, at least as far as the media can tell. Regardless of how smooth he may look on the ice in the videos on social media, the Blackhawks are taking things slow with Bedard, and he is still trending to miss at least the opening month of the 2026-27 NHL season.

Fans would love for him to somehow be fit to play in the home opener (Oct. 6 against the St. Louis Blues) and share the ice with Patrick Kane on such a special night for sports as a whole in the Windy City. That is most likely off the table.

Blackhawks chase the playoffs

Regardless, whenever Bedard makes his return to the United Center, the energy will go through the roof. Hopefully for the Hawks, by the time he’s back, Bedard can join a winning team with real aspirations to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It’s been six years (since the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs) since Chicago has played playoff hockey. For a franchise that once hoisted the Stanley Cup three times over that span, it’s unfathomable.

Key takeaways

• Jeff Blashill confirmed Connor Bedard is not close to joining practice.
• Bedard underwent offseason left shoulder surgery in July.
• The captain will miss at least the opening month of the 2026-27 season.

“He feels as good as he has in a long time,” Blashill said about Kane, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “He’s skating well; he’s moving well. Guys that play with their brain first seem to last a long time in this league, and he certainly has.”

Kane hasn’t played a full season since the 2020-21 NHL campaign, which was shortened to 56 games. His last full 82-game season was back in 2017-18, with the Hawks. Since then, he’s missed 71 games (not counting the shortened seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21).

Considering the Hawks have signed 37-year-old Kane to a two-year, $16 million ($8 million AAV) deal with a total salary of $9 million this season, they will hope to have him available for as many games as possible. And that his production is something to write home about, too.

Good news for the Blackhawks

With the dog days of summer slowly becoming a thing of the past, such a confident message from the coach about the homecoming legend is all fans wanted to hear. Kane is back!

When it’s added to a recent Blackhawks report dismissing concerns around Connor Bedard’s speedy rehab, it looks like the sun is finally coming up for the Blackhawks. It’s been a long time since fans in the Windy City experienced such a feeling.

Blashill on Kane’s role

While Blashill didn’t dive too deep into whether Kane will be handed the C or Bedard will be named captain instead, he did send out a strong message about what Kane’s role will be. Not just on the ice, but off it, too. And perhaps that leadership role behind closed doors will be even more crucial to Chicago’s development.

“[Kane is] going to have a very good impact, and that’s before we start even talking about offensive production,” Blashill commented. “His impact in the locker room, the example and expectation that he sets, how he approaches every single day in terms of reaching for and demanding excellence.”

Tired of being locked away in the NHL’s basement, the young Hawks are ready to kick the door down, but they will need an experienced voice of command to keep them grounded once they get out. That’s where Kane comes in, and why the Blackhawks are paying him the big bucks, even at 37.

“[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.

“[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.

After losing 6-0 and 7-1 to the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, respectively, on consecutive nights, the Blackhawks accomplished what no other NHL team had in 25 years. The Atlanta Thrashers were the last team to lose back-to-back games by six goals or more, and there’s a reason that organization hasn’t been around for a while.

However, Blashill didn’t go completely ballistic on Bedard and the Blackhawks. Instead, the first-year head coach in Chicago delivered a sincere message to the team, seemingly looking at the glass half full in the 2025-26 NHL season.

“We’ll get out of here, fly home and get back out [to practice] on Tuesday. But there’s lessons to be learned. The one thing I’ve been impressed [about] with this team is, they’ve learned lessons,” Blashill admitted after the 7-1 defeat in Anaheim, via Chicago Sun-Times. “This is a time where it felt like they didn’t learn a lesson.”

Wake-up call for Bedard and company

The last few weeks have been particularly tough for Chicago. After a promising start to the season, adversity has hit the Blackhawks in the shape of concerning losses. Now, with the team mired in a two-game losing streak, the Hawks return home from a tough road trip. Chicago was outscored 6-18 in the four-game road trip through the West. Needless to say, it wasn’t how the Hawks expected their visit to Nevada and California to go.

“When you get your butt kicked on the scoreboard two nights in a row like that — and tonight was a total, total whooping — your confidence slips,” Blashill added. “But this is a big-boy league, man. You’ve got to have mental toughness.“

What’s next for Chicago

Now, the Blackhawks will gear up to face the New York Rangers at the United Center—where Chicago has won just one of its last four home games. Moreover, the Blackhawks are 2-6-2 in their last 10 NHL outings. No other team has a worse mark in their last 10 games this season.

The hopeful start is now facing crucial hours, and it’s up to Bedard and the youngsters in the Windy City to change the tune. If not, this campaign may go down in the history books just like many of the previous ones—filled with frustration and embarrassment. The promising start may well have been an oasis, one the Hawks only realized wasn’t real after reaching for it to no avail countless times.

Growing up is never easy. There are several pains that come with it. For Bedard and the Blackhawks, the story isn’t any different. Chicago boasts the third-youngest roster in the NHL—per Elite Prospects—and the squad’s inexperience has shown time and again in the 2025-26 campaign. After yet another narrow-margin loss to a red-hot team like Minnesota, Bedard made his frustration visible with a blunt comment.

“It [stinks],” Bedard admitted postgame per NHL.com. “I thought we played a pretty good game, but just little mistakes that we’ll clean up. Overall, I thought there were a lot of positives to take away. But in the end, obviously you’ve got to come out with the two [points].”

Bedard and Blackhawks are struggling to put games away

The Blackhawks are falling victim to a double-edged sword. In many ways, how they view their season comes down to whether they look at the glass half full or half empty. On the one hand, they have held their ground against some of the most intimidating contenders in the league.

On the other hand, though, the Hawks have had no luck closing out games. Luck tends to favor the other side, as Chicago seems to lose almost exclusively in one-goal games. It’s all part of being a rebuilding team in the NHL. The Blackhawks are still wet behind the ears. Most seem to have made their peace with this fact, as it’s all part of the learning process.

However, with Bedard registering the best numbers of his career (33 points through 23 games) and looking for a seat at the grown man’s table, the constant heartbreaking losses are taking a toll on him. Far from giving up, the former first overall pick is determined to keep the Hawks afloat in the current best division in all of the NHL: the Central Division.

Blashill admits this game serves as a lesson

No player ever enters the NHL in hopes of learning. If they were after that, then most would opt to stay in college. However, whether they are enrolling in these classes willingly or not, the league is quick to teach youngsters what it takes to win. On that note, even Blashill admitted the loss to the Wild—who have now won six games in a row—serves that purpose.

“Yeah, it’s tough. You’re going to win that game more than not but it’s part of the learning process for us,” Blashill commented after the overtime defeat at home, via NHL.com. “I thought there were times throughout the year we did a good job of either coming back or winning those close games.

“Now, we’ve given up a couple of leads here in the last few games. I’m glad we’re in that spot, but part of the learning process is to find a way to make sure there’s no way to lose that game. We played too good to lose it. That’s what we’re trying to figure out here.”

Blashill made sure to remind Bedard and company that he is getting tired of being taught lessons. Now, the Hawks must find ways to be in charge of class from time to time. If there is something Blashill knows by heart, it’s that the student can always surpass the master.

Taking down the best team in the NHL was never going to be an easy task for Bedard and the Blackhawks. Colorado (16-1-5) has lost only once in regulation this season, and against Chicago (10-8-4), it showed exactly why. Scott Wedgewood slammed the door shut at the United Center, and Cale Makar’s strike proved to be the difference between the two divisional rivals.

Bedard and the Hawks fought until the final horn, but it was all in vain. Two streaks were kept alive after the Avs’ 1-0 win: Chicago has now lost three in a row — for the third time in the NHL season — and Colorado extended its win streak to 9 games. Regardless, after the game, Blashill made sure to praise Bedard and company for their effort.

‘‘If we repeat that performance, we’re winning lots of games,’’ Jeff Blashill admitted postgame per Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘We did an excellent job in our structure, an excellent job of [fixing] some of the things we talked about this morning that we didn’t do in Buffalo.’’

Blashill speaks honestly to Bedard, Blackhawks

Only 22 games into the NHL season, the Blackhawks have already learned how Blashill goes about his business. The 51-year-old head coach doesn’t sugarcoat his thoughts after any outing. When he likes his team’s performance, he shows it. But when he isn’t pleased, he lets the locker room know, too.

Blashill’s approach has certainly impacted the rest of the team. That was made clear when veteran forward Jason Dickinson addressed the media with a very sincere postgame admission.

‘‘We can be both happy with the process [and] not satisfied with the result,’’ Dickinson commented. ‘‘It sucks, but, for the most part, that’s a lot of good clips that we can go back and watch and be proud of.’’

Another tough test for Chicago

Though the Blackhawks showed signs of improvement against the Avalanche, they remain mired in a multi-game losing streak. The mission stays the same for Bedard and company. Up next, Chicago will host the Minnesota Wild (12-7-4), who enter the divisional matchup riding a five-game win streak. The Hawks will need to extinguish another team’s fire if they hope to put out the flames consuming the burning barn in the Windy City.

Winning is paramount for this young roster, because everyone knows what can happen when a fire breaks out in a town known for its gusting winds. Bedard and the Blackhawks must get back on track. They’ve been in similar positions before—right before their season spiraled out of control. Now, the Hawks must prove they’re a different team.

There’s still a long road ahead for Bedard and the Blackhawks. Their early fire could fade as the NHL season progresses, but the opening stretch has been a much-needed breath of fresh air in the Windy City. On that note, the 2023 first-overall pick delivered an honest message to his teammates.

“I think, overall as a group we’re playing really well. We’re playing a competitive brand of hockey,” Bedard admitted during an interview on TSN OverDrive. “I kind of found some chemistry with some guys. Sometimes the puck is going in, sometimes it’s not. Right now, it seems to be finding the net for us. Hopefully that continues, whole group is playing good, and we want to keep that rolling.“

Blashill’s message after 4-3 loss to Devils

Though Bedard kept his point-streak alive with yet another goal in the NHL season, the Blackhawks couldn’t put the game away against the New Jersey Devils. Led by Simon Nemec—who scored a hat trick—the Devils walked away from the United Center with the overtime victory.

“You look at it a few different ways,” Blashill admitted postgame, per NHL.com. “You could look at it (like) we had multiple leads and then end up giving up the tying (goal) and then they win in overtime. It was definitely a game we didn’t have our best, that’s for sure. Just looked like we had a number of guys without great legs.”

Bedard is looking unstoppable

Although the Blackhawks are still stumbling their way through the league, such growing pains are expected for any rebuilding team. However, in exchange for watching Bedard blossom into an elite player, those losses are certainly a price worth paying for fans in the City of Big Shoulders.

Thanks to his tally against New Jersey, Bedard extended his point streak to nine consecutive outings. During this stretch of the season, Bedard has recorded 19 points (8 goals and 11 assists). Moreover, the North Vancouver-native registers 10 goals, 16 assists, and 26 points—tied for second in the NHL.