Related: Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Previews: Sam Rinzel<\/a><\/p>\n The Chicago Blackhawks\u2019 alarm will go off on Sept. 23 for a game against the Detroit Red Wings, which will be the first of six preseason games against the Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Minnesota Wild.<\/p>\n There will be storylines to watch despite the reduction of preseason games<\/a>. Which prospects will shine? How will the team stack up against Central Division rivals? And what takeaways, if any, can we glean from the outings?<\/p>\n Detroit Red Wings \u2013 Sept. 23 & 30<\/p>\n The Original Six franchises will face off twice on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Tuesday, Sept. 30. Both organizations will be looking to take a stride forward this season, but the Red Wings face more pressure than the Blackhawks\u2014having failed to reach the playoffs under general manager Steve Yzerman. Nevertheless, we will keep an eye on which players suit up for both sides in that first game.<\/p>\n The Blackhawks are so young it isn\u2019t quite right to say the \u201cyoung players\u201d will be vying for opening night roster spots. Instead, we will see the depth of the organization\u2019s prospect pool. While we won\u2019t see third overall selection Anton Frondell (he\u2019ll be returning to Sweden after signing a three-year entry-level contract<\/a> in July), players like Oliver Moore<\/a> and Nick Lardis will have the chance to make an impression.<\/p>\n The preseason is important for these cusp players, and we\u2019ve seen in the past that a player who can generate momentum early in the preseason can translate that into consistent regular season playing time. The Blackhawks only play the Red Wings twice in the regular season, but don\u2019t think the players seeking NHL jobs will take the preseason showings lightly. An Original Six matchup gets the adrenaline pumping regardless of the time of year.<\/p>\n St. Louis Blues \u2013 Sept. 27 & Oct. 4<\/p>\n The rivalry between the Blackhawks and the Blues has somewhat cooled, but both teams still don\u2019t like playing each other. And the Blues will be a good measuring stick for the Blackhawks during the regular season. The Central Division opponents will play each other four times, so the preseason will be an early chance to familiarize themselves.<\/p>\n The game on Saturday, Sept. 27 will only be the Blackhawks\u2019 second of the preseason, so we will likely still see many fresh faces. However, by Saturday, Oct. 4, the veterans should be on the ice as they will be gearing up for opening night against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 7.<\/p>\n Watch this ridiculously good defensive shift by Artyom Levshunov (and terrible shift by the rest of the Blackhawks): pic.twitter.com\/FuEEIN9Aav<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 16, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Will Connor Bedard\u2019s offseason training<\/a> be noticeable in the preseason? How will Frank Nazar<\/a> look after signing a fresh contract? Will Sam Rinzel continue to look like a wily veteran at the ripe old age of 21? And will Artyom Levshunov continue to justify<\/a> his second overall selection?<\/p>\n The Blues won all three games against the Blackhawks last season, so there will be some motivation for the Blackhawks to show up as well.<\/p>\n Minnesota Wild \u2013 Sept. 28 & Oct. 3<\/p>\n The Wild have grabbed headlines with the rumor of signing Kirill Kaprizov to a record-setting contract<\/a>. But their offseason remained fairly quiet, much like the Blackhawks. So when the teams play on Sunday, Sept. 28, we will most likely see those players striving to make a name for themselves.<\/p>\n When the teams play again on Friday, Oct. 3, some of the big guns will roll out to gear up for the regular season. Keep an eye out for Kaprizov and who the Blackhawks deploy against him. Few can skate like the Russian, but I have a mental image of Nazar hounding him in the corner, making everyone realize (even more) the kid\u2019s legit.<\/p>\n FRANK NAZAR SCORES HIS FIRST NHL GOAL ON HIS FIRST NHL SHOT \u203c\ufe0f\ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/KWIeewZeR4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 14, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n The Wild are also in the Central Division and will play the Blackhawks four times in the regular season. Last season, the Blackhawks only won one of four games against the Wild. If the team wants to take the next step, those series must swing in the Blackhawks\u2019 favor. These two preseason matchups are a chance for the Blackhawks to generate momentum.<\/p>\n Yes, It\u2019s the Preseason, but At Least It\u2019s Hockey<\/p>\n Hey, I know. It\u2019s the preseason. But as much as everyone piles on the preseason, it doesn\u2019t mean nothing. Players can earn a spot. Teams can gel or begin to crumble (the Edmonton Oilers only won three preseason games last year and then started the regular season horribly). Injuries can unfortunately occur.<\/p>\n So hopefully there\u2019s something here to pique your interest and hype you up for the regular season. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"Oliver](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Oliver-Moore-Blackhawks-1200x828.jpg\")
Oliver Moore played nine games for the Blackhawks last season (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"Substack](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Substack_Banner_Teams_CHI-1200x122.jpg\")
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