Blackhawks On Tap: Blackhawks Close Preseason, Finalize Roster Ahead of 2025-26 Opener

Catch up on the latest Chicago Blackhawks news as they prepare for the 2025-26 season opener against the Panthers.

The Chicago Blackhawks finished their preseason with two wins and four losses. Rosters are finalized, and the Blackhawks head to Sunrise, Florida, to take on the Panthers for the 2025-26 season opener. Let’s get you caught up on all the Blackhawks news over the previous week.

Sep 28, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno (17), forward Connor Bedard (98), and forward Frank Nazar (91) celebrate a victory over the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Tasting Flight – Game Recaps

Closing Time — News Recap

The biggest news of the week is the roster cuts that came with the end of training camp. There were a few notable names that will start the season with the Rockford IceHogs. Kevin Korchinski, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, and Nolan Allan were all cut. Ethan Del Mastro is currently on the roster in the event Alex Vlasic is unable to play on Oct. 7 due to a minor injury sustained in the preseason.

Korchinski didn’t really do himself any favors in the preseason to prove that he doesn’t belong in Rockford. However, there can certainly be a debate over whether playing more minutes of AHL hockey is beneficial over fewer minutes of mistake-filled NHL hockey. Maybe those mistakes would have been less severe if Korchinski had been given a competent defensive partner.

Because Korchinski didn’t make the team, and neither Ethan Del Mastro nor Nolan Allan impressed enough to claim a roster spot, the Blackhawks signed veteran defenseman Matt Grezlyck to a one-year deal for $1 million.

Oliver Moore didn’t make a strong case either. Despite his impressive goal and eye-catching speed, Moore didn’t prove that he has the vision required for the NHL. Numerous passes were forced or just not made at all. Moore will likely benefit from time in the AHL.

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