New Chicago Blackhawks Season Begins as Disappointment Continues
Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane shoots against goaltender Spencer Knight (30) during practice Thursday, Sept. 17, during training camp at the Blackhawks Ice Center. || Photo by Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS
The Chicago Blackhawks are like your aunt on Facebook who falls for AI-generated videos over and over again, even after you tell her it’s fake. The Blackhawks endlessly fall for nostalgia bait, bringing back veteran players on the brink of retirement. One moment they want to build around young players and an even younger captain, and the next they’re signing Patrick Kane.
Kane, a veteran right wing, signed a contract over the summer for a two-year, $16 million dollar contract with the Blackhawks, returning to the team that drafted him 19 years ago. After being traded to the New York Rangers in February of 2023, he played half of a season before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he played three seasons.
Kane’s performance has been on a steady decline in the past years, and he only scored 16 goals in 67 games during the 2025-26 season. When Kane was signed to the Blackhawks this summer, many said that he was joining the team to mentor the younger players. It’s not the first time the team has done this; they added veterans Tyler Bertuzzi and Tuevo Teräväinen in the last few seasons. Adding Bertuzzi and Teräväinen to their lines may have been helpful for young players, but Kane is too close to retiring.
Players like Sidney Crosby (39), Alexander Ovechkin (41), and Brent Burns (41) are anomalies in the NHL. Hockey wears on the body, and players can no longer keep up as they get older. The average speed for skaters in the league is 21.34 mph. Kane is trailing behind this average, with his maximum speed being 20.87 mph in the Oct. 1 game against the Utah Mammoth. It seems like a small detail, but it shows that the curtains are closing, and “showtime” is almost over.
New blood is in charge of the Blackhawks now. Connor Bedard, forward, was named captain in September at just 21 years old. He signed a five-year, $75 million dollar contract in July, so he’s here to stay in Chicago (at least for the next five years). However, he has not stepped on the ice yet this season due to a shoulder surgery in July after being injured during a training session. He is expected to return in November, and was seen practicing in a non-contact jersey on Oct. 5.
The preseason was not a complete failure for the team, as they won two of their four games. Both wins had Spencer Knight in goal, protecting the net. Arvid Soderblom was in goal for the two losses, unfortunately continuing his inability to protect the net from last season.
Knight remains one of the strongest players on the Blackhawks. His current save percentage is .885 from the four games he’s played so far. This is considered subpar, but it’s better than Soderblom’s current SV of .820. It’s still early in the season, so there’s time for improvement.
Frank Nazar, center, was suspended for two games without pay on Oct. 9 because of an illegal check to the head. Nazar hit Bo Horvat, center and captain for the New York Islanders. He’s one of the best players that the Blackhawks have, so hopefully his suspension will be a one-time thing. Nazar signed a seven-year contract, and his skills seem to be continuing to grow.
The season is just getting started and all hope isn’t yet lost, but the Blackhawks’ current record does not seem to be giving fans much to look forward to. The team is likely stuck in yet another rebuilding year, honing their young players, as well as clutching onto veterans that will be out of the league soon. A Connor Bedard captaincy may bring back greatness to the Blackhawks dynasty, but it won’t be this season.
