Blackhawks add another goaltender before hitting the practice ice

The Chicago Blackhawks were back at the Blackhawks Ice Center for their first practice since March 16. With the compressed post-Olympics schedule and seven of eight games on the road, it has been very difficult for Jeff Blashill and his coaching staff to squeeze in some valuable practice time. This was the team’s first non-morning skate practice since March 16.

Top Line Remains Together

Blashill did not make any changes to his lineup after to the Winnipeg Jets. Even though the top line with Ryan Greene, Connor Bedard, and Nick Lardis hasn’t had a great start together, they will remain intact against the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow.

“Obviously, Lards and Greener are being put in a really good spot to play with Connor,” he said. “Connor is a guy, as you saw last night, who can make a play, and all of a sudden you’re sprung alone on the goalie. Both guys have had those opportunities. Lards is a smart player, so he’s put himself in a position to get those pucks. He’s going to bury those eventually. He was eyeball-to-eyeball with the goalie three times in the last two games. If he’d scored on two of those, we’d be ecstatic about it.”

Injury Updates

Andrew Mangiapane was on the ice today in a non-contact jersey. He rotated in on the fourth line for some rushes. Blashill confirmed that the veteran forward will join his teammates on the road trip, but has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game against his former team.

Oliver Moore was spotted on the bench during practice today. Blashill didn’t completely rule him out for the rest of the season. He said if he were to return this year, it wouldn’t be until the very end.

Another Goaltender Added

Before the team took to the ice, the Blackhawks signed another prospect. Goaltender Adam Gajan inked his two-year , which won’t begin until next season. He is signed through the 2027-28 season.

The 21-year-old netminder struggled in his freshman season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, but rebounded in his sophomore year. In 33 games for the Bulldogs, he had 19 wins and two shutouts, while posting a 2.25 goals-against average (GAA) and .908% save percentage (SV%). He also played for the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the 2025 Spengler Cup and represented Slovakia at the Winter Olympics.

Gajan signed an amateur tryout contract with the Rockford IceHogs and will finish the season in the AHL. Don’t be surprised to see him play for Slovakia again at the IIHF World Championships this spring.