The Blackhawks landed in 31st place for the third season in a row. Kamil Krzaczynski / Imagn Images
Watching the Buffalo Sabres back in the Stanley Cup playoffs, you can’t help but wonder when it’ll be the Blackhawks’ turn to return to the postseason. The Blackhawks don’t have the longest playoff drought among NHL teams — and their drought’s length depends on whether you consider the 2020 playoff bubble the real playoffs — but Chicago still hasn’t hosted a playoff game since April 15, 2017. Anton Frondell was 9 years old back then.
The Blackhawks again weren’t close to making the playoffs this season. They finished with their most points since the 2019-20 season and showed improvement at times, but they also landed in 31st place for the third consecutive season. Fans can look at it two ways: They can see the glass half full with Jeff Blashill’s work in his first season as coach, Connor Bedard’s third-season surge, Frondell’s arrival and another top-four draft pick. On the other hand, the rebuild and the playoff drought may be wearing on fans. There is also no guarantee that this will all work out in the end, regardless of how much trust and belief the organization has in general manager Kyle Davidson’s plan.
Which side do you fall on? Here is your opportunity to share your opinion about this season, the rebuild, the future and more.
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Apr 21, 2026
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