I’m old enough to remember when a matchup between Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli was top shelf marketing material. Maybe it still should be. The first and third overall picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard and Fantilli are two of the three players from their draft class to have already eclipsed 100 career points. And, while Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson (the second overall pick) is getting more league-wide talk than Fantilli at this point, the Columbus center (and Michigan product) has actually scored more goals in his young career than Carlsson.
- Bedard made a little Blackhawks history last night with his goal in the third period that, unfortunately, received zero celebration from the young man who has desperately been trying to get one to go in since returning from injury. At least he understands the context of the event enough to know you don’t have a parade for yourself when your goal cuts the lead to… four.
- Bedard’s goal was the 66th of his young NHL career. That passes Eddie Olczyk’s 65 to set the new Blackhawks franchise record for a player who hasn’t reached his 21st birthday. Bedard also joined some exclusive company in Blackhawks history last night with his 50th point.
What a moment. 🥹🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MR3T5FaXjb
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 30, 2026
- With the Blue Jackets in town, please watch Zach Werenski. He might win the Norris Trophy this year and only two Blackhawks, Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi, have scored than his 19 goals — as a defenseman. I remember a couple years ago when he was mentioned as a pre-draft comp for Artyom Levshunov. I think we can all hope that, when Levshunov “grows up,” he can be as impactful as Werenski. He has the tools.
- With that being said, those tools still need to be refined. I continue to preach about him being young. And learning. And this being a process. But… last night was a tough one for Levshunov and Wyatt Kaiser, both of whom wore a minus-five. After the game, Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t nearly as down on Levshunov’s performance as the folks on social media.
- Ryan Greene‘s assist on the Blackhawks’ first goal last night was his 20th point of the season. He joins Levshunov in reaching that mark for the season. This is the first time since 2020-21 the Blackhawks have multiple rookieswith at least 20 points.
- Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno left last night’s game after skating only two shifts and 78 seconds. Blashill did not have any kind of an update on an apparent injury to Foligno after the game last night. And there’s no morning skate today, so we’ll hopefully learn a little more when the coach speaks to the media before tonight’s game.
- Good read here from Mark Lazerus at The Athletic on Oliver Moore excelling as a center and how his play down the middle has influenced the rest of the Blackhawks’ lineup.
- Mark Divver at NHL.com wrote up a nice list of NHL prospects who will be playing in the Beanpot this weekend. There’s one current Blackhawks prospect on the list: Boston University forward Sacha Boisvert. But two other forwards, Tynan Lawrence (BU) and Oscar Hemming (Boston College), might be on Chicago’s radar when looking ahead to the 2026 NHL Draft.
- In the OHL last night, AJ Spellacy had an assist on the game-winning goal for Windsor.
- A random thought: I wonder if the Blackhawks consider moving Colton Dach before the deadline. He skated a whole 10:56 last night and was credited with a team-leading five hits. In 11 appearances in the month of January, Dach has piled up 37 hits while averaging only 10:52 per night. The tough spot: he’s been credited with only seven shots on goal in those 11 games.
- Dach last scored a goal on Nov. 30. In his 25 appearances since then, he has three assists and 17 shots on net — with 83 hits.
- Dach’s a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He hasn’t really been able to establish himself as a net-front guy on the power play yet. And, with guys like Spellacy and Boisvert coming as soon as next year, roster spots are going to be tough to come by. And Dach has found himself been behind Landon Slaggert in the rotation when the Blackhawks have been fully healthy lately.
- I would love to see Dach saddle up and really learn how Bertuzzi has made his money in the NHL. If he could model his game after Bertuzzi, he could become incredibly dangerous. But, again, with his contract being up at the end of the season and the volume of prospects coming in line behind him… I wonder.
- James Mirtle at The Athletic compiled the opinions of beat writers and fans to put together a massive endeavor: ranking all 32 NHL barns. The United Center came in ranked 12th in the league (the writers had it ninth; fans ranked it 16th). Interesting stuff, but the consensus is that the UC rocks when it’s packed and the Hawks are good.
- The NHL announced next year’s Stadium Series game will be played at Jerry World. Because you know what I need? More reasons for ESPN to talk about the Dallas ****ing Cowboys.
The @GoldenKnights will head to Arlington, Texas to face the @DallasStars in the 2027 @NavyFederal NHL #StadiumSeries!
Read more about the matchup slated for February 2027 here https://t.co/YFuLa1BD0X— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) January 29, 2026
- Finally, last night’s Red Wings vs. Capitals game will be remembered by most fans for a long time as being the night that Kane broke Mike Modano’s record. One of those nights that the final score seems to be forgotten — especially because Kane’s team lost. But how the game ended is wild!
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