Blackhawks perfect storm, plus notes on Bedard, Byram, Kaiser & more

Things are ramping up in the hockey world as we get closer to training camps and opening night on Sept. 29. That means we’re busy, busy, busy here at Blackhawk Up, giving you the best coverage around! In this roundup edition, we have plenty of news surrounding franchise cornerstone Connor Bedard. We also share some interesting content regarding defensemen Bowen Byram and Wyatt Kaiser. Finally, we look at the team’s ongoing trajectory as they head into the 2026-27 campaign.

Let’s dive in!

Blackhawk Up recent content

• Brook LoFurno tells us why Connor Bedard’s fourth NHL season might be his most significant yet.  

• As we know, Bedard recently signed a five-year contract extension. Spencer Lazary points out that this could signal the end of the rebuild and the start of real competing in Chicago.

• In a recent Bleacher Report rankings, their team graded both Bedard and Bowen Byram’s big contract extensions. Ryan Gagne wrote about their mixed grades for both deals.

• Continuing the theme of defensemen, Rhys Jones discusses how defenseman Wyatt Kaiser can cement himself into the Blackhawk’s long-term plans.

• Regarding the team’s trajectory, Maya Smith outlines three big things that must go right for the Blackhawks to make the playoffs this season.

• To follow up on that, the Blackhawks have a lot of pieces in place this season to make some noise. I question whether they may just have the perfect storm brewing.

Bedard is skating, but timeline still the same

Chicagoland was aflutter with excitement when Bedard was spotted on the ice this week at Blackhawk’s Ice Center after his offseason shoulder surgery. He was skating and going through shooting motions, but not shooting.

Bedard’s presence alone has many convinced he’s ahead of schedule in his timeline to return (early to mid-November). But we need to temper our expectations. Per Scott Powers of The Athletic, Bedard's recovery is going as planned, and he was actually expected to be skating at this point in time. So while it’s exciting to know Bedard’s rehab is progressing well, this is really not any significant news. I’m sure we’ll hear more during training camp.

However, I’m confident this driven young man is doing everything possible to be back sooner rather than later. I’d bet on at least the earlier part of November versus the middle part.

Nazar at the NHL player media tour

Admin at the Blackhawks official X site made sure we all knew Frank Nazar was participating in the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas. They shared plenty of pictures! My favorite was the black and white frame, appropriate for the man who always wears black!

Blackhawk’s countdown continues at 19!

Can you believe it?! We’re in the teens in our countdown! It’s officially Jonathan Toews days until Blackhawks opening night.

Toews will go down as one of the Blackhawk’s best players of all-time, for the role he played as long-time captain and his part in obtaining three Stanley Cups for Chicago. Plus, his drive and intensity will never be forgotten.

It’s bittersweet that Toews hung up his skates (on June 19, 2026), retiring from the Winnipeg Jets where he played his last season in the NHL. But all the sooner the Blackhawks can retire his No. 19 to the United Center rafters.

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