Blackhawks leadership group, notes on Bedard, Rinzel, Kantserov & more

Believe it or not, there’s preseason hockey just two weeks from today, when the Blackhawks face the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 19. As the team prepares for another campaign, there are a plethora of storylines to cover. Just a few names that could make an impact this season include, Connor Bedard, Roman Kantserov and Sam Rinzel.

There’s reasons for optimism, but also things to be concerned about. Meanwhile, how will the leadership group pan out? Is head coach Jeff Blashill on the hot seat if things don’t go well? In the meantime, a fun subplot will be the Rockford IceHogs and all the exciting prospects they’ll have in the fold this season.

Let’s get to all the latest content.

Recent content from Blackhawk Up

• Justin Lynch gives us a plethora of reasons to be optimistic about the Blackhawks this season. But we always have to play the devil’s advocate. Reasons to be pessimistic coming soon!

• Connor Bedard was placed in the third tier in The Athletic’s recent players tier rankings. Scott Rogust makes an argument that that’s not exactly Bedard’s fault. It has more to do with the team general manager Kyle Davidson has put around him.

• Brooke LoFurno tells us how defenseman Sam Rinzel’s swagger could help him have a strong 2026-27 campaign.

• The Rockford IceHogs should be a fun team to watch this season, as they have a lot of talented prospects in the fold. Josh Prost discusses players nearing the end of their entry-level contracts, and who might see time with the Blackhawks at some point.

• There’s been tons of debate over whether Bedard or Patrick Kane should be granted Blackhawk’s vacant captaincy. But just who else will round out the leadership group? I make my arguments for the potential captain and alternate captains.

• Roman Kantserov is a Russian prospect whom many are super excited about. Rhys Jones examines why it’s vital for him to get off to a hot start with the Blackhawks.

• There’s a lot of new pieces on the Blackhawks this season. Nate Duffett feels the pressure may be mounting for head coach Jeff Blashill to prove he's the coach who can take the team from rebuilding to competing. 

• The Blackhawks struggled in overtime and shootouts last season. But there's numerous reasons to believe they can remedy that this season. Jeff Maroon gives us the scoop.

Finally, Brooke highlights prospect Marek Vanacker, who’s slated to go pro with the Rockford IceHogs this season. But can he make a case for the Blackhawks at some point?!

Blackhawks center ice is ready for the season

The Blackhawks recently painted the ice in preparation for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign. It’s always fun to see the ice ready for the first time each year. Just another reminder that the season is almost here!

Fans will get to see this in person during two exhibition games. They’ll host the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on Monday, Sept. 21, and the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Sept. 26. Opening night for the regular season will have to wait until after a three game road trip. But the Blackhawks will finally drop the puck for real on Tuesday, Oct. 6 when they host the Blues.  

The countdown is at 24!

Today is a good day in the countdown, because it’s Bowen Byram days until Blackhawk’s opening night!

Byram ingratiated himself to Blackhawk’s fans when he choose No. 24 instead of his previous No. 4 that he wore with the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres. He said he didn’t want to take No. 4 with the Blackhawks out of respect for Niklas Hjalmarsson, arguably with best defensive defensemen in franchise history.

Byram is off to a good start with his off-the-ice impact and understanding of Chicago; realizing what they hold dear.

Thanks for reading! Keep it right here at Blackhawk Up for all the latest news, notes and analysis as the Blackhawks gear up for what should be a fruitful and exciting campaign.

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