Blackhawks 2026/27 season

[jersey cubs fan]

Connor is the official captain. Kane and Bertuzzi will wear the A. Bedard has been skating and there’s some chatter he will be ready before the initial 4-month prognosis. Three months would be in time for the 4th game of the year in Long Island. Split the difference and he could be facing Montreal at home the week before Halloween, missing 9 games.
 

Ethan Del Mastro signed a 2 year deal with a 950K cap hit, and is the likely 8th Dman who will spend a lot of the time in a suite on game day. He and Korchinski are no longer waiver exempt and won’t see time in Rockford. They have a crowded and heavily LH blue line. 

there’s not much expectations for this team but people are giving them some props for potential breakouts by Frondell and Kantserov. Nobody is expecting much from Byram, Arty or Rinzel. I didn’t like the Byram deal but do think the potential for a breakout from him is being undersold. It’s not outside the realm to think he could be a better than average #1 Dman. He’s not gonna be a star but the 10th highest scoring D had 61 points last year and that’s on the table. Byram was 19 points behind that as a 2nd pairing guy not getting PP time with Bedard or Kane. One of the 3 dynamic D men might actually click this year and that would go a long way to making this team reasonably competitive. 

[jersey cubs fan]

Well Byram proved he can provide the offensive spark against AHL opponents in the preseason. 
 

A preseason win in OT is about as meaningless as it can get. But one of the specific things that hurt Chicago last year was OT results. A puck driving offensive threat on D helps a ton in 3v3 and Byram is expected to help there. If he can actually manage to be a positive impact in that area alone that’s probably 5/6 more points they could pick up in the standings. 
 
And if he actually turns into a legit #1 Dman, the complaints about what it cost to get him will subside and this team could make a big leap sooner rather than later. 

[Wilson A2000]

The Hawks need to sneak into the playoffs this year

[jersey cubs fan]

4 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

The Hawks need to sneak into the playoffs this year

I would settle for being in the hunt in March. The vibes in the UC on March 16 if the Hawks and Sharks are fighting for a spot will be tremendous. The following road trip could rip out hearts (@utah, @colorado, @MINN, @Columbus) but for that trip to even be meaningful would be an upgrade. 

[jersey cubs fan]

Oliver Moore extended 5 years 4.35 AAV. If he fills the role he’s expected to fill that’ll be a nice contract. But he’s got a lot to prove still and isn’t a lock. 

[jersey cubs fan]

Anybody else concerned about the lumps above Bedards knee that looks like the growths I saw on an old dog this summer? 

[jersey cubs fan]

The one roster question exiting the preseason has been answered, with Landon Slaggert placed on waivers. There’s a better than zero chance he gets taken by a team that could use a capable NHL player with a minimal cap hit. Hopefully he clears and remains as depth in Rockford. 
 

and good luck to Blashill trying to work in Korchinski and Del Mastro as 7th and 8th DMen.