Blackhawks are losing games, but the rebuild is healthier than ever

It wasn't all that long ago that the Chicago Blackhawks were comfortably in the wildcard mix in the Western Conference. Connor Bedard was making strides seemingly every night, and the game was visibly slowing down for him, unlocking that generational potential that we all hoped was inside of him. But fortune in the NHL comes and goes as quickly as do warm winter days in the city of Chicago, and the Blackhawks have seen their luck change dramatically this December.

Normally, I would be in full-blown panic or rage mode, picking apart every game, every play, and internally feeling angry that a great start to the season had slipped away so completely and so rapidly. But the strangest thing has happened. I don't feel bad at all; in fact, I feel reassured. Even now, as the Blackhawks are losing games in a lopsided fashion, I have this strange sensation that this current losing streak feels different. They may be losing, but their superstar and his co-star are both injured. Suddenly, the Blackhawks' losing is more a product of bad luck than an indictment of poor play (although there has been some of that lately as well). But what really gives me hope and puts all the losing into perspective is that the cavalry has yet to arrive truly.

Two Kids, Two Leagues, Two Future Superstars.

When the Blackhawks drafted Roman Kantserov, he was touted as a fast, offensively minded winger who scores well but is undersized. He reminded me a bit of Alex DeBrincat in that regard. But now, as he progresses in the KHL, it has become clear that his potential is much, much higher. Kantserov has played 37 games for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL, scoring 24 goals and 41 points. He leads the team in goals by a wide margin, and his play has helped Metallurg to the best record in the KHL. He has done all of this as a 21-year-old in a very difficult and mature hockey league.

Kantserov may not be the sexiest name in the Blackhawks rebuild since he was a little-known second-round draft pick, but he is going to be a household name in Chicago, and dare I say the league in short order. As wild as it is to imagine, Kantserov could be a true superstar in the NHL, and it is now possible and even likely that he comes to the NHL next season and immediately takes up a spot on Bedard's right wing. He has the makings of a true star player, and his progress adds yet another young, dynamic forward to the Blackhawks' rebuild. That would be reason enough to feel confident in the direction of the team, but there is another young Blackhawks' prospect who is even better than Kantserov.

Unlike Kantserov, Anton Frondell was hyped up tremendously in his draft season, so much so, in fact, that some people even had him going second overall to the San Jose Sharks instead of Michael Misa. I wonder if the Sharks are beginning to regret that decision? Frondell has been nothing short of miraculous this season in the SHL. His stats may not instantly jump out at you in the way that Kantserov's do, but context is needed. In 47 games, Frondell has 19 goals and 28 points. However, for a 19 year old, that actually puts him in the company of the best under-20 year old seasons in SHL history, as it is a historically tough and demanding league to play in for young players. Frondell is showing all the tools that led the Blackhawks to call his name back in July. His size, skating, willingness to get to the net, and his "shoot first, ask questions later" approach are all sorely needed in Chicago. He is another player who should certainly slot onto Bedard's line when he makes the jump to North America.

Frondell has also been tearing up the World Juniors so far. In his first two games, he has a goal and two assists, and he has looked the part of a dominant top-line forward. Between Frondell and Kantserov, the Blackhawks have two ready-made top-line forwards coming very, very soon. Oh, and this recent skid has put the Blackhawks squarely in the mix for one of Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, or Keaton Verhoeff... When you step back from the day-to-day pains and struggles of the 2025-2026 Blackhawks, the bigger picture starts to make things feel alright. In fact, it is starting to feel like the Blackhawks' future success will be inevitable. Teams that compile this amount of top-line talent don't stay in the NHL's basement forever, and it is about time the Blackhawks climb out of that position.

So while this December has been anything but merry for the Blackhawks, the misery of our present is insignificant when compared to the potential brilliance of our future. It won't be long now, Blackhawks fans, until the league fears us again. Let them laugh now, and get their last licks in while they still can, because those tears of laughter will soon turn to ones of fear when they realize what the Blackhawks will become in short order.