Believe in the Blackhawks (But Don’t Rely on Them)
The St. Louis Blues’ Dylan Holloway (81) controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks’ Wyatt Kaiser (44) in the first period at Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (PC: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images/TNS)
Hockey is back, baby. Translation: the Chicago Blackhawks lost their first game (and their second…and their third).
Finally, after three losses, the Blackhawks were victorious over the Utah Mammoth with a 3-1 win at the United Center on October 13th.
As the Blackhawks celebrate their centennial season, they have a young team and a new coach, providing opportunities to showcase new growth. They’ve lacked a strong offense for years, but have recently built up their offensive lines, with players like Frank Nazar, Connor Bedard, and Jason Dickinson.
Recent seasons have found the Blackhawks criticized for their lack of speed on the ice. With veterans like Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez retiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, the younger additions to the team can be expected to speed up the game. The Blackhawks must get faster in order to keep up with other NHL teams on the ice.
Two key players to look out for this season:
Frank Nazar
Now out of his rookie season, Frank Nazar appears to be shaping up to be a superstar for the Blackhawks. With five points in his first three games (one goal and three assists), he’s expected to surpass his points from last season (26).
A strong offensive player like Nazar will be essential to the Blackhawks’ success this season, alongside his expected linemates of two NHL veterans, Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teräväinen.
Spencer Knight
Playing his first full season with the Blackhawks, Knight could be the goalie that the team needs. With a SV% of .908, he started the season strong despite losing to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.
After losing game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens, he showed his strength in game 4, saving 22 of 23 shots. His skills in the net are going to be important for the Blackhawks this season, so keep an eye out for when he’s on the ice.
If the start of this Blackhawks roster shows anything, it’s definitely that the heyday of this 100-year-old Chicago sports institution is over, but also that younger players are bringing the heat necessary for wins.
The team is finally finding their footing after years of rebuilding. The young players seem to have found a camaraderie shown behind the scenes, in the locker room, and on the ice.
There’s a long way to go before the Blackhawks are a shining team once again, but they’ve taken baby steps in the right direction.
