With the NHL switching to an 84-game regular season and opening night moved up to late September, the Chicago Blackhawks will presumably be without star forward Connor Bedard for between 14 and 21 games to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Bedard was given an approximate recovery timeline of four months after undergoing successful surgery in early July, putting him on pace for a return in November. Once fully healthy, Bedard will slide into his natural top-line center role, but many other forwards on the roster could be subsequently moved down a peg.
Head coach Jeff Blashill will undeniably be thrilled to have Bedard back in the lineup, but it won’t make his job any easier in determining the four forward lines. More in the links for potential combinations Blashill could utilize when Bedard makes his comeback.
Also in Blackhawks news, a recent late-round draft pick has reportedly signed a tryout contract with a KHL club for this upcoming season.
Around the league, a former Blackhawks front office member could be in the mix for the Red Wings’ GM job, Zach Werenski shared his love for Columbus, and the current crop of NHL stars set to become Hall of Famers.
All that & more in the Daily!
Blackhawks Offseason, News & Trade Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: Whenever Connor Bedard is ready to return from offseason shoulder surgery, he’ll immediately be inserted into the top of the lineup as first-line center. But who will be his linemates? Will Patrick Kane be on Bedard’s wing? Will both Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell remain at center? Here’s a prediction of the Blackhawks forward lines once Bedard is fully healthy.
Also in Blackhawks news, 2025 seventh-round pick Ilya Kanarsky has seemingly joined the KHL’s Lada Togliatti for the 2026-27 season. Chicago Prospects on X first reported Kanarsky signed a tryout contract with the team. Elite Prospects has also already listed Lada Togliatti as Kanarsky’s club for next year.
The 21-year-old netminder has been stellar in Russia’s VHL & MHL in recent years, most recently posting a 2.67 GAA, .922 save percentage, and one shutout in 35 VHL appearances for AKM Tula Region in 2025-26, despite playing for one of the league’s worst clubs.
Mentioned in yesterday’s Daily, Michigan State freshmen Mason West and Jack Hextall were interviewed by Johnny Lazerus and discussed their summer training regimens and workouts. Another clip surfaced on Thursday where West talked about representing the United States and his 12-day stay at a hotel during the World Junior Summer Showcase.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
NHL.com: Reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski broke his silence this summer in a notable manner on Thursday. Werenski proclaimed he would have “no issues” committing to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the long term and hopes to lead the team into the postseason this year. Whether this is just typical player talk or not, only time will tell.
The Athletic: For the third consecutive year, Peter Baugh and Max Bultman ranked current NHL players that could be enshired in the Hockey Hall of Fame one day based on select tiers. Considering that Patrick Kane is the only member of the ‘Dynasty Era’ still playing, it’s not surprising he’s the one Blackhawks player mentioned.
Sports Illustrated: Elliotte Friedman recently mentioned on NHL Tonight that former Blackhawks associate general manager and current Detroit Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg could garner interest from the Detroit Red Wings this summer. Greenberg’s stint in Chicago was his first-ever professional hockey gig, but he’s held various front-office roles with multiple MLB clubs. FWIW, the Tigers and Red Wings have the same owners.
ProHockeyRumors: Speaking of former Blackhawks, forward Boris Katchouk signed a one-year KHL contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk on Thursday, ending his time in North America for the moment. The 28-year-old appeared in only three NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2025-26 season.
Boston Hockey Now: Even after a 100-point season in 2025-26, the Boston Bruins aren’t garnering much respect from the major sportsbooks. Jack Studley says it’s hard to argue with the bookmakers, although that doesn’t mean the Bruins didn’t improve this offseason.
TSN: Has Ville Koivunen suddenly become the last NHL player to ever sign an eight-year contract? While notable RFAs like Cutter Gauthier, Adam Fantilli, and Alexander Nikishin remain eligible for the maximum extension, there’s an argument that none will sign for that much term.
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.
Follow us on X: