Chicago Blackhawks Face Tough Climb Amid Mixed Offseason Moves
The Chicago Blackhawks remain in the midst of a steep rebuild. As one of the NHL’s Original Six, expectations are always high, but recent seasons have brought little success on the ice.
The arrival of young phenom Connor Bedard brought renewed optimism to the franchise, signaling hope for a brighter future.
However, despite that promise, the 2025-26 season could mirror past struggles, as general manager Kyle Davidson did little to significantly strengthen the roster during the offseason.
Still, the 2025 NHL Draft brought fresh hope, with several exciting prospects joining the organization.
Bright Spots at the Draft Table
Following another rough campaign in 2024-25, the Blackhawks landed the third overall pick in the draft and used it to select forward Anton Frondell, who tallied 25 points in 29 games with Djurgardens IF in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan.
Chicago kept the momentum going by picking forward Vaclac Nestrasil, who recorded 42 points in 61 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) and is committed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the 2025-26 season.
Their third first-round selection, Mason West, was another strong pick. He compiled 58 points in 41 games between the Fargo Force (USHL) and Edina High School.
West is set to return to Fargo next season before heading to Michigan State University in 2026-27.
Although these young players likely won’t debut in the NHL for another few seasons, their potential is clear.
With proper development, all three could evolve into top-tier NHL talent.
Their offensive upside provides a solid foundation for the future of the Blackhawks.
Free Agency Falls Flat Despite Small Moves
While Connor Bedard remains the centerpiece of the franchise, it’s evident he needs more help to carry the team.
Anton Frondell
Davidson understands the need for improvement but failed to make a splash in free agency.
His offseason began with re-signing a few returning contributors: goaltender Arvid Soderblom, defenseman Louis Crevier, and forward Ryan Donato, all of whom earned new deals after solid performances in 2024-25. Donato, in particular, will aim to build on his career-best season.
Anton Frondell
In free agency, Davidson only managed to land center Dominic Toninato on a modest two-year, two-way contract.
The Blackhawks were more active on the trade front, shipping center Joe Veleno to Seattle in exchange for forward Andrei Burakovsky, who posted 37 points in 79 games.
They also acquired Sam Lafferty from Buffalo for a sixth-round pick, though Lafferty’s impact may be limited after registering just seven points last season.
Though Chicago added promising young talent through the draft, the rest of the offseason leaves much to be desired.
With most top free agents already signed elsewhere, Davidson’s options were limited, and the additions he did make — while serviceable — are unlikely to drastically shift the team’s trajectory.
Burakovsky brings some value, but questions remain about his production on a rebuilding team.
Time remains to make further moves, but as of now, it’s been a frustrating and underwhelming offseason for the Blackhawks.
