Blackhawks Off-Season Report: A Rebuild in Progress

By Liam Tremblay — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

The Chicago Blackhawks, once a dominant force in the NHL from 2007 to 2015 with three Stanley Cups, have faced a different reality in recent years. The team has made only one playoff appearance in the last nine seasons, struggling with depth issues that have prolonged their playoff drought. In a recent ranking of NHL teams’ off-seasons, the Blackhawks were placed 30th overall.

During the off-season, the Blackhawks made several additions, including defenceman Bowen Byram, left winger Jordan Greenway, defenceman Ian Cole, and right winger Patrick Kane. General Manager Kyle Davidson acquired Byram, a move that involved trading the Blackhawks‘ 2026 first-round pick. While Byram is considered a capable player, some assessments suggest he may not be a top-tier defenceman, despite his new contract reflecting that of a number one defenceman starting in the 2027-28 season.

The return of Patrick Kane, a franchise icon, on a two-year contract. However, the $16 million over two seasons for Kane has also been viewed as a potentially high cost at this stage of his career. These acquisitions have raised questions about their immediate impact on the team’s ability to contend for a playoff spot.

Offensive Departures and Draft Picks

The Blackhawks saw some departures, including Ilya Mikheyev and Louis Crevier. Mikheyev‘s departure is noted as a loss, particularly given his offensive contributions in previous seasons. The team finished 30th in goals during the 2025-26 season, highlighting a need for offensive production. While Connor Bedard signed a contract extension, he is not expected to be healthy at the start of the upcoming regular season due to a shoulder injury.

A significant aspect of the off-season was the trade of the 2026 first-round pick to the Sabres as part of the Byram acquisition. Had the Blackhawks retained this fourth-overall pick, they would have had the opportunity to select a dynamic young defenceman from a draft class that included names like Daxon Rudolph, Carson Carels, Albert Smits, Keaton Verhoeff, and Chase Reid. Critics have pointed to this decision, along with other moves, as areas to question Davidson‘s strategy, especially given the team’s existing depth challenges.

Central Division Outlook

The Blackhawks face a challenging path in the highly competitive Central Division. The division is considered one of the toughest in the league, with three of the top seven teams in the NHL standings last season, including the Colorado Avalanche with 121 points. The Winnipeg Jets, another team in the division, finished the 2025-26 season with 82 points, placing seventh in the Central Division.

Other teams in the Central Division have also made moves. The Jets added goaltender Stuart Skinner and defencemen Mario Ferraro and Jack St. Ivany, among others. The Colorado Avalanche, despite losing in the third round, remain strong contenders, adding players like forward Fabian Lysell. The Dallas Stars, who had 112 points last season, are managing their roster with a focus on players like Jason Robertson. The Minnesota Wild, with 104 points, are working to retain key players such as Quinn Hughes. The Utah Mammoth, after making the playoffs with 92 points, are looking to build on their young core with additions like centre Vincent Trocheck. The St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators are also making adjustments to their rosters, with the Blues acquiring centre Mason McTavish and the Predators adding several forwards and defencemen.

The Blackhawks concluded the 2025-26 season with a record of 29-39-14, accumulating 72 points. Despite the off-season moves, it is difficult to envision a playoff berth for the team in the upcoming season, as they continue their efforts to return to prominence.

Source: ca.sports.yahoo.com