Even though training camp is still over three months away, the Chicago Blackhawks already have an idea of which young forwards will center their own lines to start next season. Between Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, and potentially Sacha Boisvert, there’s no shortage of options for the Blackhawks down the middle in 2026-27.
During the NHL Scouting Combine over the weekend, general manager Kyle Davidson tipped his hand regarding which players from that group will play center and who will presumably begin next year on the wing.
More in the links for the Blackhawks early center plans and how it impacts the rest of the roster.
Also in Blackhawks news, another slew of mock drafts have been released following the Scouting Combine, and there is a different candidate projected to be the fourth overall selection.
Around the league, the latest in the Mike Babcock saga, Dylan Larkin’s trade list has reportedly expanded, while Alex Tuch and the Sabres remain far apart in negotiations.
All that & more in the Daily!
Blackhawks Offseason, News & Trade Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: Behind Connor Bedard, which other young players will center their own line for the Blackhawks next season? GM Kyle Davidson recently stated that the team is set with Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar down the middle to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
More CHN: If Ivar Stenberg isn’t available when the Blackhawks are on the clock at the 2026 NHL Draft, which player will they choose? One of the latest mock drafts has a new defenseman target that could be considered with the selection.
More CHN: The free-agent market opens in less than one month, and here are five pending UFA forward options the Blackhawks should pursue on July 1, including the projected top player available.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: One of the players mentioned in the column above is Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch, who is getting more and more likely to hit free agency with each passing day. Pierre LeBrun checked in on Tuch’s situation in Buffalo, but things don’t look too promising.
TSN: Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman cannot be pleased with how things have unfolded recently with captain Dylan Larkin. Yzerman has reportedly gone back to Larkin’s camp and asked for his trade list to be expanded, and there are now a few more clubs potentially in the mix.
Detroit Hockey Now: Former Red Wings tough guy Darren McCarty weighed in on the Larkin situation, saying he’s playing a high-stakes poker tournament with Detroit. Sure, Larkin can win, but he’s now getting check-raised, and he has to face it.
New Jersey Hockey Now: While the New Jersey Devils might not be among the teams likely to land Larkin, James Nichols breaks down why a trade sending the Red Wings’ forward to the Minnesota Wild works in their favor.
Florida Hockey Now: One team that cracked Larkin’s initial trade list was the Florida Panthers, but early indications suggest it would cost a former first-round pick to get a deal done.
Carolina Hockey Now: A pivotal Game 5 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights awaits. Rachel Barkley has a full preview of Thursday’s Stanley Cup Final matchup, including which goaltender Rod Brind’Amour plans to start in net.
Sportsnet: Jason Bukala went through his final top-100 prospect ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft, and it wasn’t Penn State standout Gavin McKenna who topped his list. Bukala also has a different top-ranked defenseman compared to most other draft rankings.
More TSN: Oh yeah, the NHL is going to take a look into Mike Babcock’s previous incidents, per request from the NHLPA. Apparently, the NHLPA has additional significant claims against Babcock that have not yet been publicly reported. I mean, seriously. What were the Edmonton Oilers thinking? This was never going to end well, one way or the other.
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