So, you’re looking for the latest news for Chicago Blackhawks, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind week at 1901 West Madison. One minute we’re celebrating the return of the franchise savior, and the next, the locker room looks more like a hospital ward. It’s kinda classic Blackhawks lately—one step forward, two steps back, and a whole lot of "wait, who is playing goalie tonight?"
Monday night against the Oilers was a perfect example of how quickly things can go sideways. We were all hyped to see Connor Bedard continue his comeback after that shoulder injury, but then the news dropped: late scratch. Illness. Apparently, there is a stomach bug ripping through the team that cares very little about our collective desire to see #98 highlight reels.
The Bedard Factor and the "Bug"
Let’s talk about Connor Bedard for a second. Before he got sidelined with the shoulder issue in December, the kid was absolutely cooking. We’re talking 19 goals and 27 assists in 33 games. Those are "first-overall" numbers that actually live up to the hype. He’s 20 years old and already carrying the offensive weight of a literal original six franchise.
When he returned last Friday against Washington, he looked a little rusty, but then he notched two helpers against Nashville on Saturday. We thought we were back. Then, the Edmonton game happened. No Bedard. No Teuvo Teravainen after the first period. The Blackhawks ended up losing 4-1 to an Oilers team that, quite frankly, didn’t have to work that hard.
Coach Jeff Blashill—who’s been navigating a pretty rocky first season in Chicago—basically said they’re just waiting on evaluations. It’s not just the stars, either. Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom have both been battling this illness. When your goalie depth is being decided by who can actually stand up without feeling dizzy, you know it’s a rough week.
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That Weird Trade with San Jose
If you missed the news for Chicago Blackhawks regarding the roster shuffle on January 8th, it was a weird one. Kyle Davidson pulled the trigger on a deal with the San Jose Sharks that was, essentially, a math equation disguised as a hockey trade.
Chicago sent:
- Nolan Allan (Defenseman)
- Laurent Brossoit (Goaltender)
- 2028 7th-round pick
Chicago received:
- Ryan Ellis (Defenseman)
- Jake Furlong (Prospect)
- 2028 4th-round pick
Here’s the thing: Ryan Ellis isn’t going to play. He’s 35 and effectively retired due to those long-term injuries, but his contract still exists. This was a "cap floor" move. By taking on that contract, the Hawks stay compliant while picking up a 4th-round pick and a decent prospect in Furlong. Giving up Nolan Allan stings a bit for some fans who liked his grit, but with the logjam of young D-men like Alex Vlasic and Kevin Korchinski (and now Artyom Levshunov), someone had to be the odd man out.
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Standings Check: Are We Looking at the Draft Lottery Again?
Right now, the Blackhawks are sitting 6th in the Central Division. The record is 19-20-7. That’s 45 points. Is it better than last year? Yeah, technically. Is it "playoff contender" territory? Not really.
We’ve seen some flashes of brilliance. That 7-3 blowout of the Blues on January 7th was a blast. But then they follow it up with a 5-1 loss to the Capitals. The inconsistency is maddening. Blashill’s system is supposed to be about "responsible defensive play," but when you’re 23rd in the league for goals for, you're putting a massive amount of pressure on guys like Spencer Knight to be perfect.
Knight has been a solid find, though. Since coming over, he’s posted a 13-12-6 record with a 2.63 GAA. On a team that gives up as many high-danger chances as Chicago does, those are respectable numbers.
Why You Should Keep An Eye on the Young Guns
The real news for Chicago Blackhawks fans isn't just the final score. It's the development.
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- Artyom Levshunov: He’s been a bright spot on the blue line. 21 points in his first real pro stint. He moves the puck with a confidence that most 20-year-olds don't have.
- Frank Nazar: He’s been out since late December after taking a puck to the face against Ottawa. We miss his speed. The kid has 11 games of missed time now, and the middle-six forward group looks way slower without him.
- Lukas Reichel: It’s been another "up and down" year for him. He has the skill, but sometimes he disappears for three games at a time.
What’s Next for the Hawks?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They’ve got the Flames coming into the United Center on Thursday night.
If you're looking for actionable insights on how to follow this team right now, focus on the power play. It’s actually ranked 8th in the league at 22.9%. That is a massive leap from previous years. When Bedard is on the ice with Bertuzzi and Teravainen, the puck movement is elite.
Also, watch the trade rumors surrounding Connor Murphy. He’s the veteran presence everyone wants for a playoff run. If Davidson gets an offer for a 1st or 2nd rounder, don't be surprised if "Murph" is packing his bags before the March deadline.
Basically, the Blackhawks are in that "puberty" phase of a rebuild. It’s awkward, there are a lot of growing pains, and sometimes they just look sick. But the pieces are there. Bedard is the real deal, the cap space is being managed like a game of Tetris, and the prospect pool is still one of the best in the league.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Wednesday. If Bedard and Teravainen are back, the Flames game becomes a lot more interesting. If not? Well, at least the beer is cold at the UC.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should track the Rockford IceHogs' roster moves over the next 48 hours. If the "bug" continues to sideline the main roster, we might see more emergency recalls like Stanislav Berezhnoy or more minutes for Ryan Greene. Check the morning skate reports on Thursday—that's usually where the truth about the lineup comes out before the official PR blast.