News Blackhawks Team Notes

Blackhawks Close to Getting Captain Nick Foligno Back

The Blackhawks will be without the two young centerpieces of their rebuild for the next while, but they might be getting their captain back off injured reserve in time for their last game before Christmas.

Nick Foligno was a full participant in practice on Monday and looks to be back in the lineup when the Blackhawks host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill was not at practice on Monday, but assistant coach Mike Vellucci said they’ll determine if Foligno is ready to be back in the lineup against the Flyers after Tuesday’s morning skate.

The 38-year-old center has been out since getting hurt against Toronto on Nov. 15. The Blackhawks are 4-11-2 with Foligno out of the lineup.

Teuvo Teravainen took a maintenance day at practice. He's expected to play on Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.

Nick Foligno, who's been out since Nov. 15, practiced in full again. They'll make a determination on whether or not he'll play after morning skate. #Blackhawks

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 22, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...s-close-to-getting-captain-nick-foligno-back/
 
Blackhawks Ink First-of-Its-Kind Marketing Deal (Report)

According to a report from Front Office Sports, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed a first-of-its-kind marketing deal. The deal is with Kalshi, the prediction market platform. You’ve likely seen their ads and logos popping up everywhere lately.

The Chicago NHL team has reached a deal with Kalshi, making them the first North American pro sports team to partner with a prediction-market platform, according to a statement shared with Front Office Sports.

Under the agreement—which takes effect this week—each side can use the other’s intellectual property for co-marketing purposes, they will cross-promote on social media platforms, and Kalshi will be promoted during home games at the United Center and on Blackhawks broadcasts. Financial details were not disclosed.

The NHL had already partnered with both Kalshi and Polymarket, making it the only one of the big four North American sports leagues to have agreements with the prediction markets.

According to the story from FOS, the NHL partnered with the outlets because it gives the league the ability to take down contracts they believe aren’t appropriate.

If you aren’t quite sure what Kalshi is or what prediction markets are, I invite you to read the story.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-ink-first-of-its-kind-marketing-deal-report/
 
Blackhawks vs Flyers — Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Blackhawks are hurting right now — literally and figuratively. They’re 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and have lost their last five in a row. And they’ll start tonight’s game without Connor Bedard or Frank Nazar available; Nazar left the game in Ottawa and will miss the next four weeks. So much for a merry Christmas, eh?

Unfortunately, the Blackhawks will not get their captain, Nick Foligno, back in the lineup tonight against a Flyers team that hosted (and beat) the Canucks last night and then flew to Chicago. What’s left of the Blackhawks will need to find some offense if they want to beat Philly, even if they’re a little more tired from the game and travel.

Broadcast Info​


Puck Drop: 8:22 PM CT
TV / Streaming: TNT / truTV / HBO MAX
Radio: WGN 720 AM

Expected Lineups​

Chicago Blackhawks logo


Chicago Blackhawks

Tyler Bertuzzi — Ryan Donato — André Burakovsky
Oliver Moore — Ryan Greene — Nick Lardis
Teuvo Teräväinen — Jason Dickinson — Ilya Mikheyev
Colton Dach — Dominic Toninato — Sam Lafferty

Alex Vlasic — Louis Crevier
Matt Grzelcyk — Artyom Levshunov
Wyatt Kaiser — Connor Murphy

Spencer Knight

philadelphia-flyers-logo.png


Philadelphia Flyers

Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Travis Konecny
Denver Barkey – Sean Couturier – Owen Tippett
Matvei Michkov – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Carl Grundstrom – Rodrigo Abols – Nikita Grebenkin

Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae – Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler – Rasmus Ristolainen

Samuel Ersson

Injury Report​

Chicago Blackhawks

  • Nick Foligno, Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar are on IR. Shea Weber (retired) is out long term.

Philadelphia Flyers

  • Tyson Foerster is on IR.

What to Watch For​

  • The Blackhawks need to find offense without Bedard and Nazar. They found a way to score four without them in Ottawa. But the defense needs to be better.
  • Lardis got on the scoresheet for the first time in Ottawa, and will be skating with Moore again tonight. They had good chemistry in Rockford and Lardis told me after the morning skate they’re working on bringing that to the NHL level.
  • Mikheyev had a great game in Ottawa. Secondary scoring now becomes primary scoring. Him staying hot is big. They also need Donato to find the back of the net now.

Get Caught Up​

#Blackhawks power-play units:

PP1:
Bertuzzi
Burakovsky-Teravainen-Lardis
Levshunov

PP2:
Dach
Moore-Greene-Donato
Grzelcyk

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 23, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-flyers-lineups-broadcast-info-game-thread-4/
 
A Needed Break, Special Knight, Spengler Cup Interest, and Other Blackhawks Christmas Eve Bullets

We have reached the NHL’s Christmas break, Blackhawks fans. And… things aren’t great right now. The Blackhawks have sunk to dead last in the NHL standings. The break comes at a good time for the Blackhawks, who have lost their last six in a row and eight of their last ten. After the game last night, André Burakovsky looked like a frustrated man who needs a break. And I’m sure he’s not alone in that regard.

It’s not great. They can be a tough watch if you’re just looking for lots of goals. The young guys are working on finding their role in the NHL and learning from their mistakes. Unfortunately, mistakes get magnified when it’s hard to score goals.

If we want to focus for a moment on some silver linings, the Blackhawks hit the break ranked fourth in the NHL on the penalty kill (84 percent). And they’re still 14th in the league on the power play (20.4 percent) despite not having Connor Bedard or Frank Nazar recently.

  • Spencer Knight had to be good again last night, and he was. Knight stopped 23 of 25 in the loss, and it’s a shame he headed off at the worst possible moment for the extra attacker and the Flyers scored into the empty net. Knight hits the break ranked third in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected (17.8), trailing only Ilya Sorokin and Logan Thompson.
  • It might be a long shot still, but I certainly hope USA Hockey gives Knight a lot of consideration for the Olympics. He’s been spectacular this year.
  • Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale at NHL.com put together an all-time mock draft for the World Junior Championship this week. With that tournament starting the day after Christmas, it’s a fun read. There are a few fun Blackhawks names on there, including Bedard — who was drafted fifth overall! Blackhawks legends Jeremy Roenick and Michael Nylander were also drafted. I’m struggling to figure out why Jonathan Toews was not drafted, though.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the World Juniors, writers @mikemorrealeNHL and @NHLAdamK built their World Juniors dream team!

Full coverage of the 2026 World Junior Championship begins December 26 on NHL Network.

More on each writer's roster https://t.co/n2TONRtF2V pic.twitter.com/ZgIvglhPuJ

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) December 22, 2025
  • The World Junior Championship isn’t the only tournament that starts on Dec. 26. The Spengler Cup begins as well, and Blackhawks goalie prospect Adam Gajan is playing for the US Collegiate Select team.
  • Gajan might have to face a couple potential future teammates at the tournament. Hockey Canada announced its roster for the Spengler Cup. Blackhawks defense prospect Nolan Allan and IceHogs captain Brett Seney are on the roster.
players will wear the at the #SpenglerCup beginning Boxing Day in Davos.

joueurs porteront la à la #CoupeSpengler, qui s’amorce le 26 décembre à Davos.

ROSTER: https://t.co/4NOfoLUUse
FORMATION: https://t.co/gzsPZIosjH pic.twitter.com/apj27sbExf

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 23, 2025
  • A couple Cubs stars made an appearance the game last night. Pete Crow-Armstrong can add a Blackhawks jersey to his recent additions from being at Bears and Bulls games (smart! unless somebody wanted to get him those for Christmas…).
PCA & Ian Happ are at the #Blackhawks game tonight pic.twitter.com/m9B2ZobVsk

— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) December 24, 2025
  • Finally, as an FYI, I won’t be doing our usual daily bullets on Christmas day or the 26th because the NHL is shut down completely. And there is no college hockey. And the CHL is shut down. There is no hockey today or tomorrow. But I’ll still have some fun stuff coming out for your off day reading as we get ready for the World Juniors on Friday. Don’t worry. We don’t take days off here!

BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter


Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...t-and-other-blackhawks-christmas-eve-bullets/
 
Blackhawks Prospects Anton Frondell, Václav Nestrašil Generating World Junior Championship Buzz

I have no doubt there’s a lot of chirping happening in the Blackhawks’ room and group chat with the World Junior Championship beginning later this week. As a reminder, the following players currently on the Blackhawks’ roster have won gold at the World Juniors: Connor Bedard (Canada), Oliver Moore (USA), Frank Nazar (USA), Connor Murphy (USA), Spencer Knight (USA), Ethan Del Mastro (Canada), Colton Dach (Canada) and Teuvo Teräväinen (Finland).

If we want to add Rockford, the list grows to include Landon Slaggert, (USA), Kevin Korchinski (Canada), Nolan Allan (Canada), Sam Rinzel (USA), Gavin Hayes (USA) and Joey Anderson (USA).

This year, the Blackhawks will have three prospects in the tournament: AJ Spellacy (USA), Anton Frondell (Sweden) and Václav Nestrašil (Czechia). Frondell and Nestrašil have been getting a lot of chatter lately as the tournament draws near. So let’s get into what some of the experts are saying about the Hawks’ prospects in the World Juniors this year.

Frondell will be an assistant captain for Sweden at the World Juniors.

Anton Frondell​

  • Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler at The Athletic shared their top 25 prospects playing in this year’s World Junior Championship. Here’s what they wrote about Frondell, who they ranked the No. 11 prospect in the field:
Frondell is a versatile offensive threat who blends smooth puck skills with a lethal shot that can beat goalies from range. He projects as a top-six center who can finish plays or set up teammates, while offering a strong physical presence that allows him to compete in the hard areas.
  • Steven Ellis at Daily Faceoff wrote about the 15 already-drafted NHL prospects participating in the World Juniors. Frondell was included. Here’s what Ellis wrote about the Blackhawks’ prospect:
Frondell started off so hot in the SHL, only for his ice time to diminish in recent weeks. His usage has been odd, but at his best, Frondell has established himself as one of the top 2007-born forwards in the world. With Frondell expected to be Sweden’s No. 1 center, there’s little reason to believe he won’t be a huge part of this team’s medal chase. He’s smart, big, skilled, and has a lethal shot. This tournament should get Blackhawks fans excited about the future.
  • Sam Cosentino at Sportsnet spotlighted three players to watch on each roster in the tournament — and mentioned both Frondell and Nestrašil. Here’s what he wrote about Frondell:
Frondell can do it all. He made a great impression at Blackhawks camp after being taken 3rd overall by Chicago in 2025. While his minutes have been somewhat inconsistent in SHL play, he should play a top role with this year’s national team. He can play it any way you want. He’s strong on his skates and strong on the puck. He skates well, can make plays and really shoot the puck at an elite level. His quiet confidence is very much in line with the typical Swedish player.
  • Here’s what Jimmy Hamrin at EliteProspects wrote about Frondell in his Sweden preview:
Frondell has mostly been advertised as a centre, but has played his best hockey as a winger this season. I also see him playing there long term in his career, as it better fits his toolkit. It will therefore be interesting to see how Sweden will use him in this tournament. He is a creative opportunist who finds open spaces better than most. He is an excellent finisher with elite puck skills. He also adds good size and puck protection to that. He will be used in most situations for Sweden and needs to be a player that steps up in the big moments.
  • Here’s what Felix Robbins at McKeen’s Hockey wrote about Frondell in his preview of Sweden:
After a full offseason and preseason uninterrupted by injury, Frondell looks like he is thriving in the SHL. He leads all SHL players under the age of U21 in goal scoring and leads his team in +/-, all the while alternating from center to winger. Frondell is only 18 years old and still learning how to play down the middle at the pro level and he’s got the right mix of tools to handle the tough parts of the job. He’s competitive, intelligent, and plays a heavy game. He’s an excellent finisher with a powerful shot. The question marks about his speed/skill combo at C are still there, though his quickness has taken a step.

There’s no question that Frondell will be one of Sweden’s most used forwards and top offensive weapons at the WJC. Blackhawks fans are about to find out how close Frondell is to being able to fill a top six center role on the big stage. However, I maintain that Frondell is best suited to a physical finishing role on the wing to a speedier, more creative center. Based on what mix Magnus Hävelid decides to go with on a given night, we could see both over the course of the tournament.
Vaclav Nestrasil UMass

Photo credit: UMass Hockey

Václav Nestrašil​

  • Here’s what Honza Zoufal at EliteProspects wrote about Nestrašil in their Czechia preview:
Since the start of last season, Václav Nestrašil’s development curve has been nothing short of remarkable. From contemplating stepping away from hockey, to a mid-season move to the USHL, to lifting the Clark Cup, and now making an immediate impact at the NCAA level, his rise has been rapid and sustained. This season, Nestrašil has recorded 20 points in 18 games and arrives at the World Juniors ranked third among NCAA freshmen in scoring. With his tall frame and versatile skill set, there are few areas of the game where he cannot make an impact. He plays with a consistently high motor, skates well for his size, and actively looks to engage physically, whether through contact along the boards or by driving hard areas of the ice. Offensively, he finds teammates effectively and does much of his damage around the net, where he screens goaltenders and uses his long reach to locate and convert rebounds. Defensively, Nestrašil is equally reliable, bringing structure, effort, and positional awareness. That two-way commitment positions him as a potential cornerstone of Czechia’s lineup and a key contributor in the pursuit of another World Junior medal.
  • In her preview of the entire tournament, Rachel Kryshak at ESPN.com had this to say about Nestrašil:

Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago Blackhawks) is one of the biggest players (6-foot-6, 185 pounds) in the tournament, and should use his size to be an absolute force. He’s going to be very difficult to defend, and should draw a ton of penalties.

  • Here’s what Marek Novotny at McKeens Hockey wrote about Nestrašil in his Czechia preview:
Nestrasil has taken one of the most interesting development paths in Czech hockey. From doubts about his hockey future to a strong USHL breakout and a productive start in the NCAA, his rise has been consistent. He has a tall build, long reach, and an unyielding work ethic that suits modern international play. Offensively, he excels around the goal, screening goalies, deflecting shots, and fighting for rebounds. He has soft hands in tight spaces, and his passing is underrated. When off the puck, he is disciplined and strong on defense. Czechia sees him as an important winger who makes contributions on both ends and sets a physical tone for top lines.
  • Here’s what Cosentino wrote about Nestrašil:
The more one went to see Muskegon last year, the more they liked this player. Originally, teams were hot to trace Russian-born Ivan Ryabkin as he made his way to North America after plenty of fanfare. Throughout the course of the year, Nestrasil began to steal the spotlight, and it was he and not Ryabkin taken in the first round. He had a good regular season, and his potential was clearly evident. That potential took a step forward in the playoffs, helping Muskegon to the Clark Cup. At 6-foot-6, Nestrasil is enjoying a fine freshman campaign at UMass, where he has an even 10 goals and 10 helpers for 20 points in 18 games.
  • As a reminder, Scott Powers wrote a nice profile of Nestrašil earlier this week.
Václav Nestrašil was thought to be somewhat of a project draft pick for the Blackhawks and someone who might need time to transition to college hockey. He still needs to develop, but he's already further along than expected.

A breakdown of Nestrašil ⤵️https://t.co/Pf8KFvhdHL

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) December 22, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...il-generating-world-junior-championship-buzz/
 
Blackhawks Fans Guide to the 2026 World Junior Championship

The 2026 World Junior Championship begins in Minnesota tomorrow! A player already drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks has won gold in the event every year since 2021, and the Hawks have three prospects skating for their respective countries in this year’s event.

So, to get Blackhawks fans properly prepared for the tournament, we’ve got everything you need to know. Which teams have a Blackhawks prospect on the roster? Which 2026 draft-eligible prospects are playing (and for which teams)? When are the games? How do we watch?

Here’s your full download for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Junior Championship!

image-84.png

  • All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on NHL Network for viewers in the USA.

Sweden​

Blackhawks Prospect: Anton Frondell​


Schedule

  • Dec. 26, noon — vs. Slovakia
  • Dec. 28, 1 PM — vs. Switzerland
  • Dec. 29, noon — vs. Germany
  • Dec. 31, 5 PM — vs. USA

Frondell, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and arguably the Blackhawks’ top prospect not currently playing in North America, figures to play a prominent role for a good, deep team from Sweden. This will be a good opportunity for Blackhawks fans to see more of his game than the clips we’ve seen from the SHL throughout this season. Frondell will wear an A for Sweden in the tournament.

United States​

Blackhawks Prospect: AJ Spellacy​


Schedule

  • Dec. 26, 5 PM — vs. Germany
  • Dec. 27, 5 PM — vs. Switzerland
  • Dec. 29, 5 PM — vs. Slovakia
  • Dec. 31, 5 PM — vs. USA

We’ve seen some of Spellacy with the Blackhawks the past couple years. He’s big, physical and fast. He figures to play a supporting role for the USA at the World Juniors, likely being a penalty killer and heat-seeking missile of a fourth line guy. Spellacy had points in seven of his last eight games with Windsor in the OHL before joining the USA for camp.

Czechia​

Blackhawks Prospect: Václav Nestrašil​


Schedule

  • Dec. 26, 7:30 PM — vs. Canada
  • Dec. 27, 7:30 PM — vs. Denmark
  • Dec. 29, 2:30 PM — vs. Finland
  • Dec. 31, 2:30 PM — vs. Latvia

Nestrašil, another of the Blackhawks’ three picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, has been spectacular as a freshman at UMass this season. He’s used his 6-6 frame well against a tough slate in Hockey East; Nestrašil has 10 goals and 10 assists in his first 18 collegiate games. He could be a huge player (literally and figuratively) for Czechia, who have legit medal hopes.

Gavin McKenna Penn State

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

2026 NHL Draft Prospects to Watch​


Here are 2026 NHL Draft-eligible players who are participating in the 2026 World Junior Championship who are worth watching as Blackhawks fans when you tune in over the coming days. I’ll break them up by country (with each player’s bio page on Elite Prospect embedded for your use).

Canada​

United States​

Sweden​

Finland​

Czechia​

Latvia​


Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-guide-to-the-2026-world-junior-championship/
 
Blackhawks 1, Flyers 3 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The first period of this game was a dump and chase drill. The teams combined to put ten shots on net (6-4 in favor of the Flyers). Philly’s second shot didn’t happen until 10:17 had come off the clock. Unfortunately, it went in. The Blackhawks had a 7-3 advantage in scoring chances in the first period at 5-on-5, but were chasing one after one.

The Blackhawks and Flyers really made it feel like both teams have three days off after this game in the second period… until the Flyers amazingly started to get chippy with the Hawks after whistles. The Blackhawks weren’t generating any offense at all and the Flyers, for some reason, thought giving them energy with physical extracurriculars was a good idea. Both teams scored once in the middle frame.

The Blackhawks battled, but couldn’t get a second goal. They had a late power play that had some action but couldn’t capitalize. As soon as the advantage ended, the Hawks pulled Spencer Knight … and a bad pass found a 2-on-empty cage for the Flyers and the lead was three with two minutes left.

Star 1: Denver Barkey​


The Blackhawks were doing pretty much nothing late in the second period and were trying to kill a penalty when Barkey thought this dirty, cheap hit on Wyatt Kaiser was a good idea. All nine skaters on the ice got together to exchange holiday pleasantries, and the Blackhawks actually had some energy for the first time. Barkey might have just wanted to take a cheap shot on a vulnerable player, but he gave the Blackhawks the dose of caffeine they needed.

Big brawl after Barkey boards Kaiser pic.twitter.com/yut3Bz0VnU

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 24, 2025

Star 2: Ryan Donato​


The Blackhawks just needed someone to get a decent look and actually pull the trigger. You can probably hear the United Center begin groaning as Donato patiently waits for his angle to clear before ripping home the first goal of the night for the Blackhawks. At least he put it on the net! And hey, good things happen when you do that!

GOAL: Ryan Donato snipes his 9th of the season from the slot pic.twitter.com/ChLYfQb4hf

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 24, 2025

Star 3: The Crowd​


Blackhawks fans showed up and showed out tonight. It was the fourth-largest crowd of the season (20,256). Y’all were loud and brought energy.

Less than one minute into this #Blackhawks game and we’re hearing Green Bay Sucks pic.twitter.com/cyJVYfcgE3

— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) December 24, 2025

Key Takeaways​

  • The first stoppage of the game game 6:14 into the first period. There was one shot on net and one faceoff in more than six minutes of hockey to start the game. Lots of hockey players with the next three days off for Christmas.
  • The Blackhawks won only three faceoffs in the opening period. There were only ten draws in total, but the Flyers won the majority of them.
  • The Blackhawks won… wait for it… 23 of 29 faceoffs in the second period. Yes, those are the legit numbers. Maybe they were just warming up in the first period? Ryan Greene won half of a team-high 12 thru two periods.
  • Nick Lardis skated 3:39 in the first period, 74 seconds of which came on the Blackhawks’ one power play. At the end of the second period, Lardis was up to 7:18 of which 2:18 was on the power play. He did not have a shot on net by the end of two periods.
  • When Matvei Michkov and Lardis took matching unsportsmanlike penalties for shoving each other before a faceoff at 3:40 into the third period I was… reminded that Michkov is on the Flyers. I hadn’t noticed him the entire night to that point.
  • The line of Tyler BertuzziJason DickinsonIlya Mikheyev had a 13-1 advantage in shot attempts, 3-0 in shots on goal, 9-0 in scoring chances, & 3-0 in high-danger chances at 5-on-5 through two periods. They had a 0.65 expected goals for to 0.0 against in 8:16 at even strength.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...hawks-1-flyers-3-three-stars-key-takeaways-2/
 
2026 NHL Mock Draft: Pre-World Junior Championship First Round Update

The NHL is on break for Christmas, but the hockey world can now turn its collective attention to the start of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins today in Minnesota.

There will be a lot of players already drafted by NHL teams competing in the tournament. There are also some who are eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler at The Athletic wrote their list of the top prospects — drafted and eligible — in the tournament. That mix makes considering players in a mock draft a lot of fun this time of year.

So let’s update our 2026 NHL Mock Draft!

Again, I’m including links to the EliteProspects profiles for each player in this mock draft so you can see where they’re playing and how they’re producing.

  • Note I: for this mock draft, the order was set based on the NHL standings thru games played on Dec. 23.
  • Note II: there are only 31 selections in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Ottawa forfeited their first-round pick because of the Evgenii Dadonov trade.
Tynan-Lawrence_USATSI_22403679.jpg

OIS/Thomas Lovelock-USA TODAY Sports

2026 NHL Mock Draft — First Round​

1. Chicago Blackhawks — Tynan Lawrence, C, Muskegon (USHL)​


Yes, the Chicago Blackhawks have the best odds of winning the lottery at this point, so they’re on the clock first in our new mock draft. And, yes, I do not have them selecting Gavin McKenna. Lawrence is an elite playmaker and scorer who is committed to play at Boston University next year; the Blackhawks have a good relationship with BU and I really think he fits the Blackhawks’ profile best in this draft class. I like what Pronman at The Athletic said about Lawrence (in the photo above) as a fit in Chicago. “Tynan Lawrence feels like their type of player,” Pronman said. “He’s a supercharged version of Oliver Moore and would give them an elite young group of centers”

2. Vancouver Canucks — Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, North Dakota (NCAA)​


This is not me necessarily buying that McKenna’s stock is “falling” as much as Verhoeff is a big, physical right-handed defenseman who would be an ideal partner for the recently acquired Zeev Buium on Vancouver’s blue line. He could be the Seabrook to Buium’s Keith, if you will. Right now, I think this is a pick that makes sense.

3. Calgary Flames — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)​


Whichever team calls McKenna’s name at the 2026 NHL Draft is going to be thrilled. And they’re going to sell a lot of jerseys. We’ve seen early projected No. 1 picks slide and get over-analyzed in the past, and he’s going thru that now skating for Penn State in the competitive Big Ten Conference. By the end of the World Juniors, McKenna may make enough noise to be back as the clear No. 1 prospect.

4. Winnipeg Jets — Ivar Stenberg, RW, Frölunda (SHL)​


Stenberg feels like the easy call for the “consolation prize” after McKenna and Verhoeff, but don’t sleep on him maybe hearing his name earlier than expected like Leo Carlsson did in 2023. He checks every box. The Jets could use an elite offensive player; their offense is why they’re picking this high at this point. Stenberg is in the mix to go No. 1 entering the World Juniors.

5. St. Louis Blues — Chase Reid, RHD, Soo (OHL)​


Reid’s stock has seen a meteoric rise over the past year; he was passed over by USA Hockey for the U18 roster, and now he’s making a case to be one of the top defensemen taken in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Blues have some young forwards right now but need to rebuild their blue line. Reid’s a good one.

6. Utah Mammoth — Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George (WHL)​


Carels is the hottest name heading into the World Juniors. He stood out in the first game of the CHL USA Prospect Challenge. He has ideal size (6-2, 194) and is averaging better than a point-per-game with Prince Albert to start the season. The defense group in this draft is really good and we will likely see a run on the blue line in the top ten picks.

7. Nashville Predators — Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)​


The Preds would likely love to get a top center in this draft, or find some future help on their blue line. But, at this point in our mock draft, Belchetz is easily the best player available. He’s a big (6-5, 227) power forward who plays with an edge. “He’s a wrecking ball.”

8. San Jose Sharks — Ryan Lin, RHD, Vancouver (WHL)​


If the Sharks want to have a dynamic defenseman on the back end, Lin might be a sleeper in this draft class. He won’t fall because of his ability to play the game; Lin is listed at only 5-11 and 176 pounds. With some other, bigger defensemen in this class, he could be an absolute steal. He’s the total package.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets — Alberts Šmits, LHD, Jukurit (Liiga)​


Šmits is a big-time helium prospect in the draft class right now. He’s got the size (6-3, 205) that scouts love and has been producing better than many anticipated. The Latvian defenseman could be the second player playing overseas to come off the board.

10. Seattle Kraken — Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)​


Malhotra checks most of the boxes for a Seattle team that has two picks in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. There’s leadership, scoring, responsibility — he’s a guy the Kraken can build around. And he would be a good complement to some of the forwards on their existing roster as well.

11. Boston Bruins (from TOR) — Daxon Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert (WHL)​


The Bruins could use a big body on the back end and Rudolph is that (6-2, 205). He’s been a productive postseason player in his previous stops and is wearing an A for Prince Albert this season.

12. New York Rangers — Mathis Preston, RW, Spokane (WHL)​


Preston was arguably the biggest winner in the first game of the CHL USA Prospect Challenge with regards to draft stock. He’s got a great shot and showed it off in the first game. He’s another guy whose stock would likely be higher if his height began with a six.

13. Boston Bruins — Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)​


Suvanto might be one of the guys not a lot of people are talking about… yet. But a big performance at the World Juniors could see him moving up the board. He’s got great size already (6-3, 209), is young (September 2008 birthday) and is a left-handed shot at center. The Bruins getting a top center and a big defenseman would make this first round a home run mock draft for Boston.

14. Los Angeles Kings — Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71 U18 (U18 Region)​


Gustafsson has good size (6-4, 198) and is an August 2008 birthday. The Kings will eventually need to consider the future of their blue line after Drew Doughty, and we have them going defense first in our mock draft.

15. Pittsburgh Penguins — Xavier Villeneuve, LHD, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)​


There are two blue line prospects in this draft who will be fascinating to track in the coming months: Lin and Villeneuve. Both have the skill and production to warrant a high pick, but they’re both under six-feet tall. And, in the case of Villeneuve, being listed under 160 pounds also doesn’t help. But he’s been compared to Lane Hutson and plays a feisty game.

16. New Jersey Devils — Elton Hermansson, W, MoDo (HockeyAllsvenskan)​


Hermansson was dominant at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he scored six goals with five assists in six games for Sweden. This would be a nice offensive addition to their pipeline up front for a Devils team that has struggled offensively when Jack Hughes takes his seemingly annual time on IR.

17. Buffalo Sabres — JP Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops (WHL)​


The Sabres are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the NHL, which means their pick is sliding down the first round. Hurlbert is putting up enormous numbers in the WHL to start the year. There are some questions about his skating and size, which could cost him a few spots in the draft. Buffalo getting a dynamic scorer is a big get here.

18. San Jose Sharks (from EDM) — Juho Piiparinen, RHD, Tappara (Liiga)​


This starts the next tier of defensemen in this year’s draft class for me. The Sharks went with a right-handed defenseman earlier in this mock draft, but I have them doubling down here with another. With Sam Dickinson already in the mix and their collection of young forwards already making an impact in the NHL, it’s time to hoard defensemen. They get a couple good ones in this mock draft.

19. Washington Capitals — Adam Novotný, LW, Peterborough (OHL)​


Novotný left Kobylice, Czechia to play in the OHL this season to help improve his draft stock. He’s doing that quite well, averaging better than a point per game with Peterborough. He was part of the CHL squad in the CHL USA Prospect Challenge games.

20. Chicago Blackhawks (from FLA) — Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw (OHL)​


Klepov, a late-June birthday, is off to a great start in the OHL this season, passing all of his 59-game numbers in 24 appearances to start this year. Klepov hits Christmas with 19 goals and 21 assists in 32 games with Saginaw. He’s committed to Michigan State for the 2026-27 season where he’ll play with Blackhawks’ 2025 first-round pick Mason West. The Blackhawks have a strong relationship with MSU.

21. New York Islanders — Ilya Morozov, C, Miami (OH) University (NCAA)​


The Islanders have two picks in the first round, and their own keeps sliding later in the draft. Morozov is a name that keeps climbing draft boards as he puts up solid numbers (14 points in 18 games) as a freshman playing college hockey. He’s got terrific size (6-3, 205) to be a difference maker down the middle for the Islanders.

22. Anaheim Ducks — Viggo Björck, C, Djurgårdens (SHL)​


Björck is a polarizing prospect because of his size. The skill and talent are there to make him dangerous, but he’s a haircut under 5-10 and listed at only 172 pounds, which has some scouts questioning about his projection to the next levels in North America. The Ducks have shown a willingness to take skill despite potential “red flags” before, and this makes sense for them to add more skill up front.

23. Seattle Kraken (from TB) — Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara (OHL)​


Scouts don’t agree much on Roobroeck. He’s been ranked anywhere between No. 4 and 27 overall recently, which is interesting. One thing the scouts can agree on: he’s a massive center (6-4, 216). And those tend to trend favorably around draft time. A worthy gamble for Seattle with their second pick in our mock draft.

24. Montreal Canadiens — Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)​


Shilov left Russia before the 2024-25 season and has been really good in his stops on North America thus far. He’s committed to Boston University for next season. There’s decent size (6-1, 181) and great production here for the Canadiens to consider adding to their system.

25. Detroit Red Wings — Niklas Aaram-Olsen, W, Örebro HK (SHL)​


Out of Norway, Aaram-Olsen has already played in SHL games in his pre-draft season with Örebro. He has strong puckhandling skills and is a good facilitator on the power play.

26. Philadelphia Flyers — Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown (USHL)​


This might feel like a convenient “hey, we know that last name” pick for Philadelphia, but Hextall is a legit first-round prospect who is having a solid season in the USHL. He’s committed to play at Michigan State next year.

27. Calgary Flames (from VGK) — William Håkansson, LHD, Luleå (SHL)​


Håkansson is an older prospect (October 2007 birthday) but has good size (6-4, 207) on the back end. If the Flames can walk away from the first round with McKenna up front and a big defenseman in Håkansson, this would be a nice win for them.

28. Vancouver Canucks (from MIN) — Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia (OHL)​


The Canucks get to pick again late in the first round because, since our last mock draft, they traded Quinn Hughes to the Wild. I have the Canucks going with a big, right-handed defenseman early in the draft, so coming back with a good center later in the first round makes sense. Edwards is committed to play at Notre Dame next year.

29. Carolina Hurricanes (from DAL) — Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra U20 (Slovakia U20)​


Chrenko’s stock has slid since the start of the rankings cycle began after the 2025 NHL Draft; he was initially considered potentially a top-half of the first round guy, but now he seems to be in the mid- to late-20s. Nice player with good skills who could be a middle-six player.

30. New York Rangers (from CAR) — Giorgos Pantelas, RHD, Brandon (WHL)​


Pantelas (6-2, 214) already has the size to be an impactful defenseman in the NHL. He has a high hockey IQ and, while he doesn’t dazzle as much as some of the guys at the top of this defense class, he might have one of the higher floors in the group.

31. New York Islanders (from COL) — Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia (OHL)​


Yeah, we have two centers from Sarnia coming off the board late in our new mock draft. Di Iorio wore an A for Canada at the most recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup and has decent size (6-1, 190) to help the Islanders up front.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/12/26/2026-nhl-mock-draft-world-junior-championship/
 
Anton Frondell Scores First Goal of World Junior Championship, Named Sweden’s Best Player

The World Junior Championship tournament got started on Friday in Minnesota. Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell and Sweden were on the ice in the first game in the entire tournament, and they skated away with an impressive 3-2 win over a gritty Slovakian squad.

Frondell scored the first goal of the entire tournament in the middle of the second period.

GOAL: Anton Frondell (#16) with a filthy one-timer to open the scoring for Team Sweden pic.twitter.com/O5HpkyzvZL

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 26, 2025

Frondell was named Sweden’s best player in the match after adding an assist to his game-opening goal. He was credited with nine shots on net in the game (seven of which came in the second period alone). Frondell played on the wing in the game, and showed off his big shot the entire game. He skated 18:08 total.

Frondell showed some creativity on the rush as well.

Frondell (#16) weaving through defenders to create a shot pic.twitter.com/Twbzh4YifN

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 26, 2025

If you watched this game hoping to be impressed by the Blackhawks’ top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, you shouldn’t have come away disappointed.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...unior-championship-named-swedens-best-player/
 
Blackhawks Recall Landon Slaggert

With the Blackhawks beginning their post-Christmas schedule on Saturday evening in Dallas, they brought another forward along for the flight.

Landon Slaggert was recalled from Rockford.

Slaggert has scored once in ten NHL games this season.

This is probably a sign that captain Nick Foligno isn’t as close to returning as we may have hoped before Christmas. Foligno is still working his way back from a hand/wrist area injury, and those can be tricky — especially when you start receiving passes. If Foligno isn’t quite there yet with passing/shooting or being comfortable on the receiving end, having Slaggert available is a smart addition.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/12/27/blackhawks-recall-landon-slaggert-2/
 
Blackhawks 4, Stars 3 (SO) — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The Blackhawks didn’t skate until they warmed up on the ice in Dallas since losing to the Flyers. And they were facing one of the best teams in the league. So… yeah. Odds weren’t in their favor. But they played a really good first period. Chicago took the lead 3:20 into the first period and I’m not sure Arvid Söderblom ever saw the shot that tied the game almost eight minutes later. The Hawks had an 8-4 advantage in scoring chances and 3-2 advantage in high danger chances at 5-on-5 thru 20 minutes.

Chicago should have expected the Stars to push back to start the second period, but the Blackhawks came out firing just like they did in the first. The Hawks were able to take a lead… that lasted only 55 seconds. The second period, like the first, ended with the score tied. And the Blackhawks once again had the advantage in 5-on-5 scoring chances (9-6 in the second) and high danger chances (5-4).

In the middle of the third period, Söderblom made a huge save against a Jamie Benn breakaway as he came out of the box at the end of a Blackhawks power play. But the Hawks turned the puck over and somehow lost Mikko Rantanen on the doorstep. He deposited a rebound and Dallas had a 3-2 lead. But that lead lasted a whole 67 seconds — the Blackhawks flipped the script on the Stars and took their lead away quickly.

This game needed overtime! And then a shootout! And… Nick Lardis won the game in the shootout!

Nick Lardis WINS IT IN THE SHOOTOUT! pic.twitter.com/lV9z6IOaiz

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 28, 2025

Star 1: Jason Dickinson​


Dickinson’s line was really good in the first period; they didn’t allow a shot on goal at even strength and had an 86.01 expected goals for percentage at 5-on-5. In the second, Dickinson was able to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead with a snipe. By the end of the second period, Dickinson led the Blackhawks with four hits as well. His work against an elite power play tonight was exceptional as well.

GOAL: Jason Dickinson with a snipe to beat Oettinger pic.twitter.com/tazhJexZ44

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 28, 2025

Star 2: Tyler Bertuzzi​


Bertuzzi scored the first and third goals of the night for the Blackhawks, his 13th and 14th goals on the road already this season. The line of Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Slaggert was money tonight.

GOAL: Alex Vlasic fires a perfect pass off the rush to Tyler Bertuzzi to open the scoring pic.twitter.com/gaoMwIBplq

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 28, 2025
GOAL: Tyler Bertuzzi puts a loose puck in for his second of the game. Blackhawks have tied it back up pic.twitter.com/xqIuOBpXda

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 28, 2025

Star 3: Landon Slaggert​


Slaggert might have been a late add to the roster, but he came out of the gates flying. He was effective all over the ice, and his speed was noticeable. He won a board battle to start the play that ended with Bertuzzi’s goal in the first period (he had the second assist on the goal). Slaggert had a team-high three hits and was tied for the team lead with two shots on net in the first period. Slaggert led the Blackhawks with five hits in regulation. He took over Ilya Mikheyev‘s spot with Dickinson on the top penalty kill unit as well. He was terrific tonight.

Landon Slaggert is impressing early. Here he speeds in to create a shot pic.twitter.com/gbof1w6gnt

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 28, 2025

Key Takeaways​

  • Söderblom made some enormous saves tonight, including this robbery against Rantanen with the game tied in the third period. He stopped 26 of 29 shots on net in regulation and made a couple huge saves in overtime as well.
Another huge stop by Arvid. Rantanen was all alone pic.twitter.com/0bDkoMKJBn

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 28, 2025
  • Alex Vlasic was really good tonight
  • For all of the complaints about the Blackhawks not shooting the puck enough before the Christmas break, they attacked all night tonight. They certainly held their own against one of the best teams in the league.
  • The Dallas Stars’ power play is an absolute wagon, and they got an advantage in the first period with Oliver Moore in the box. Playing without Mikheyev made the PK a concern. But Louis Crevier came up huge — literally and figuratively — with a couple big plays to escape without the Stars tying the game.
  • Jason Robertson hit two posts in the first period.
  • The Stars won 14 of 20 faceoffs in the first period — and nine different skaters took a draw for Dallas in the opening 20 minutes.
  • At the end of the second period, the Blackhawks’ line of Lardis, Dominic Toninato and Sam Lafferty was cooking. In 5:49 of 5-on-5 ice time, they had a 13-4 shot attempt advantage, 7-2 shot on net advantage and 79.99 expected goals for percentage.
  • Moore and Lardis saw their ice time kept low again tonight. Moore’s speed was evident throughout and Lardis generated a good scoring chance in the third period. They both got ice time in overtime, though. And Lardis came thru in the shootout with the winner.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...hawks-4-stars-3-so-three-stars-key-takeaways/
 
Blackhawks Prospect Nathan Behm Continues Impressing in the WHL

When the Blackhawks selected forward Nathan Behm in the third round (No. 66 overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, I was intrigued. He was a prospect going into the draft that some analysts thought had the potential to be an early second round pick. In his pre-draft season, Behm scored 31 goals with 35 assists in 56 games for a team that wasn’t in the playoff race.

When he slid in the draft, it was surprising. And I was excited the Blackhawks selected him.

The more highlights I watched and the more I read about him, the more I fell in love with the pick. He has good size (was listed at 6-2, 192 before the season) and plays a strong game. He’s committed to play at Arizona State next year.

When I first got to see Behm on the ice during the prospect practices in September, he stood out. So I’ve been keeping an eye on his season back with Kamloops in the WHL.

And Behm has not disappointed whatsoever. He had a hat trick on Saturday night, and added two assists for a lovely five-point effort in the Blazers’ first game back from their Christmas break. His 51 points now rank second in the WHL behind his teammate (and 2026 NHL Draft-eligible) forward JP Hurlbert.

But something stood out to me as I looked at the updated WHL leaderboard on Saturday night. It’s the far right column in this screenshot: of the 15 players in the WHL with at least 42 points, Behm is the only one with less than 10 coming on the power play.

image-99.png


Math tells us Behm has 42 points — which would tie him for 11th in the league overall — at even strength thru 33 games. That includes 19 goals and 23 assists at even strength; Behm doesn’t have a short-handed point thus far.

These are terrific numbers from a player in his post-draft season. It looks more and more like the Blackhawks might have stolen a really good player in the third round this past summer.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-nathan-behm-continues-impressing-in-the-whl/
 
Blackhawks 3, Penguins 7 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill burned his timeout 8:20 into the first period to tear his team a new… attitude… with the scoreboard already showing the Penguins leading by three. One fluky goal and a couple mediocre scores later and the Hawks coaches were not happy. The Blackhawks got a power play after the timeout, did nothing with it, and the Penguins scored again. Out went Spencer Knight. In came Arvid Söderblom.

The Blackhawks were able to get on the board in the second period, but were within three for only 90 seconds. Another bad too many men penalty opened the door and Pittsburgh scored their fifth quickly on the power play. Justin Brazeau scored on the power play and then finished off a hat trick 57 seconds later. The Blackhawks… cut the lead back to four… 13 seconds later. Baby steps?

Star 1: Tyler Bertuzzi​


After a really good game in which he scored twice in Dallas, Bertuzzi came back with a strong game again tonight. He was the most noticeable skater for the Hawks all night. In the first period, Bertuzzi had a 93.45 expected goals for percentage in 8:16 — including an 11-1 shot attempts for total. He scored the Blackhawks’ third goal with with 0.8 seconds left on the clock in regulation — well deserved.

Star 2: Nick Foligno​


The Blackhawks desperately needed to score chasing four in the second period. And, after missing 19 games, it was their captain who got them on the board. And the hands? I thought that was the injury! Why look when you don’t have to?!?

GOAL: Nick Foligno scores in his first game back. Nice play in front of the net to put home a rebound pic.twitter.com/Ot2x0RkIUm

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 29, 2025

Star 3: Landon Slaggert​


Slaggert had another really good night. By the end of the second period, he had skated 9:39 at 5-on-5 during which the Blackhawks had a 10-2 shot attempt advantage and 5-2 shots on net advantage. The Blackhawks had a 72.62 expected goals for percentage, which was third-best among Blackhawks forwards behind… Bertuzzi and Jason Dickinson — his linemates. Slaggert had a team-high five shot attempts, team-leading four individual scoring chances, team-leading three shots on net and was tied for the team lead with two high danger chances by the end of 40 minutes of hockey.

Key Takeaways​

  • Here’s Wyatt Kaiser‘s goal from the second period:
GOAL: Wyatt Kaiser BANKS IT IN off the end wall for his 4th of the season pic.twitter.com/jqYuV2X5xD

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 29, 2025
  • Knight allowed more goals (4) than he made saves (3) in 12:03 of the first period. He was bad.
  • Knight returned for the third period.
  • The first period sucked on the scoreboard, but the stats actually… liked(?) what the Blackhawks were doing at 5-on-5. Chicago had a 17-12 shot attempt advantage, 8-7 scoring chance advantage and 4-2 advantage in high danger chances at even strength in the first period. The Blackhawks won 52.6 percent of faceoffs in the first. But… they trailed 4-0.
  • The line of Dickinson, Slaggert and Bertuzzi was the Blackhawks’ best in the first period. They actually had a 0.0 expected goals against in 3:55 of 5-on-5 time in the opening frame; the Penguins didn’t have a shot attempt while that trio was on the ice. Bertuzzi and Slaggert were the only forwards who weren’t on the ice for a goal against in the first period.
  • The Blackhawks’ fourth line of Foligno, Colton Dach and Sam Lafferty was effective tonight. At the end of the second period, they had been on the ice for 5:28 of 5-on-5 during which they had an expected goals for percentage of 86.10.
  • On the opposite end of the spectrum, the line of André Burakovsky, Ryan Donato and Teuvo Teräväinen were on the ice for three of Pittsburgh’s five even strength goals by the end of the second period. Shots on net were 6-1 in favor of the Penguins with that line on the ice (4:49 thru two periods at 5-on-5).
  • I like that the Blackhawks sent the kid line of Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis out a lot more frequently with the score where it was in the third period. Ice time = experience, and they need all they can get.
  • I probably owe Söderblom a star for Saturday night’s performance in Dallas. He had to come in during the first period and was really good early. He tried to keep the Blackhawks in the game as much as he could. Here he is robbing Sidney Crosby 1-on-1.
Söderblom stops Crosby pic.twitter.com/MSBvySfJe8

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 29, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...hawks-3-penguins-7-three-stars-key-takeaways/
 
Kids Get Experience, Foligno Back, Murphy Passes JR, Hot Prospects, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Last night’s game got out of reach by the end of the second period. I was encouraged to see the Blackhawks sending their kid line of Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis over the boards frequently in the third period to get more experience.

In the third period, Moore skated 5:22. Greene skated 5:37. And Lardis skated 5:50. By the end of the night, Lardis led the Blackhawks with six shot attempts (three on net) and was also credited with three hits in 16:03. Moore put two shots on net and was credited with one hit in 15:05. And Greene was the Blackhawks’ most successful center at the dot, winning 8 of 15 faceoffs in 15:56.

When there are bad moments along the way, finding opportunities for those guys to get experience is important. And they showed more in the third period than they had as a unit in a few games.

Good read here from Pope on Moore before last night’s game. He’s been used in a lot of different ways on his journey to where he is in the NHL today. Minnesota used him in both defensive roles and as a top-line offensive producer. At the World Juniors, he was a defensive player at times as well. He’s seen more of that in the NHL than he did in Rockford. That’s an adjustment he’s learning through right now.

The Blackhawks need more from Oliver Moore, who has just 1 point in 10 games — despite a speedy showing last night.

But also they need to give him more.

“My role on the team — call it as it is — is not as [offensive] as it was in Rockford.”

New story: https://t.co/ScaZ5ZuSmI

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 28, 2025
  • The Blackhawks activated captain Nick Foligno off IR before the game on Sunday. Frank Nazar was officially placed on IR to make room for Foligno. Foligno scored the Blackhawks’ first goal of the night.
  • Ilya Mikheyev was still out of the lineup to be with his family.
  • Connor Murphy had two assists and dropped the gloves last night. He also appeared in his 525th career game for the Blackhawks, which moves him past Jeremy Roenick into 38th place all-time for the franchise. Next on the list: Alexei Zhamnov (528) and then Marian Hossa (534).
  • The Blackhawks only had one prospect in action at the World Juniors. Anton Frondell had the second assist on Viggo Björck’s game-tying goal early in the third period. Sweden won the game 4-2. Frondell has three points in two games.
  • All three Blackhawks prospects will be in action at the World Juniors today! Here’s the schedule:
  • Sweden vs. Germany — 12 PM CT
  • Finland vs. Czechia — 2:30 PM
  • USA vs. Slovakia — 5 PM
  • The OHL returned to action on Sunday. Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker wasted no time getting back on the board, scoring his league-leading 27th goal of the year in the second period for Brantford. Parker Holmes added an assist in the third period.
Some Marek magic gets us started 🪄

Vanacker walks in and snipes it for his league-leading 27th goal on the year #BFD | #BlackHawks https://t.co/vzpPVjtCqn pic.twitter.com/kk7NDuhbPZ

— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) December 28, 2025
  • Jack Pridham got busy for Kitchener. He recorded a hat trick — the second three-goal performance from a Blackhawks prospect in as many days since the CHL leagues came back from their respective Christmas breaks.
#Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham's third goal tonight for @OHLRangers was a short-hander into the empty cage

Pridham is now tied for the @OHLHockey lead with four short-handed goals this season pic.twitter.com/RvDr8SpiRL

— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) December 28, 2025
  • Blackhawks prospect Mason West scored his third of the season for Fargo last night.
Meanwhile, #Blackhawks prospect Mason West scores for @FargoForce

pic.twitter.com/9S2TKnQ3tT

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 29, 2025
  • The Minnesota Wild acquired forward (and Blackhawks legend) Boris Katchouk from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Michael Milne.
  • The Ottawa Senators announced goaltender Linus Ullmark is taking a leave of absence from the team to deal with personal matters.
  • Because the Blackhawks need a team to get a good/great goalie back in time to face them, it looks like there’s a chance the Islanders get Ilya Sorokin back for Tuesday night. Yippee!
Roy says Sorokin will practice on Monday and then they'll see about his availability vs. #Blackhawks on Tuesday (@IslesMSGN) #Isles

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) December 29, 2025

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  • Because I played football in college with his dad, I’m selfishly rooting for Austin Booker to do well with the Bears. He had a nice game last night.
Love seeing Austin Booker get ACTIVE on a Sunday! pic.twitter.com/zTb3Zd8oV1

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 29, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...r-hot-prospects-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/
 
Blackhawks Notes: Bedard Skates, Mikheyev, Returns, Lineup Blender, More

Even though the Blackhawks played back-to-back days coming out of the Christmas break, they still practices on Monday. And… there was a lot going on.

Some good news right out of the gate: Connor Bedard was on the ice before the rest of his teammates. He did not shoot the puck, but was skating and doing some puck handling stuff. Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said there is no change to Bedard’s timeline; he’ll still be evaluated after the calendar flips to 2026. But he was on the ice today.

Connor Bedard hasn’t shot a single puck this morning, which was probably a strict mandate. But positive sign he’s on the ice. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/TviKHz34fq

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 29, 2025

Blashill also said forward Frank Nazar has graduated to solid foods. Which is a good sign for Nazar.

On the ice in practice itself, Ilya Mikheyev was back with the team after missing the two games to be with his family after the birth of his daughter. With Mikheyev back, and captain Nick Foligno also at practice, there were more bodies than the Blackhawks have had healthy in a while. Which led to… the lineup blender!

New Blackhawks Lines​


Here’s what we saw for Blackhawks forward lines at practice on Monday:

Tyler Bertuzzi — Ryan Greene — André Burakovsky
Teuvo Teräväinen — Oliver Moore — Nick Lardis
Ryan Donato — Jason Dickinson — Ilya Mikheyev
Nick Foligno — Colton Dach — Landon Slaggert

A few thoughts:

  • I love this line with Teräväinen (passer) on a line with Lardis (shooter).
  • I’m intrigued that they’re going to move Moore to center for a bit. Blashill noted after practice that Moore did play there in college, but he’s been primarily a wing since turning pro. I like his speed to complement the other two on that line.
  • After two good games with Dickinson, I would have liked to see Slaggert stay there and join Mikheyev. That could be a really nice defensive line with a lot of speed. Yes, that would push Donato to the fourth line. I wouldn’t mind him with Foligno and Dach, either.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-skates-mikheyev-returns-lineup-blender-more/
 
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