Blackhawks players who disappointed in the 2025-26 season

The Chicago Blackhawks rose to new levels as a team last season. While still missing the playoffs, they had some young players step up in key roles. However, the only players to step up offensively were Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi. The other players on the roster did not produce, therefore they missed the playoffs again. Who were the players who disappointed the most?

Forwards Donato, Burakovsky lack scoring punch

Forward Ryan Donato was signed as a free agent on July 1, 2023, and had a career-high of 62 points during the 2024-25 season. However, he posted only 30 points this past season. While he did start the season on a line with Bedard, he was often seen in the middle-six, rotating throughout the season and unable to find scoring consistency. He had 14 power-play points in 2024-25, but dipped to only two points this past season. His shooting percentage went from 17% in 24-25 to 12.3% last season while playing two fewer minutes last season. His even-strength play was also noticeable as his even-strength goals went from 26 to 14. Donato needs to step up this upcoming season if the Blackhawks are going to continue to rise in the standings.

Forward Andrei Burakovsky was another forward who disappointed last season. Acquired from the Seattle Kraken for center Joe Veleno, he was to bring experience and secondary scoring. He did produce 33 points last season, which is lower than his career average of 36 points per season. He finished last season with one point in his last five games and was a minus-32, the worst of his career. He also failed to create offense, taking only 86 shots in 75 games. Burakovsky needs to bring the scoring Chicago thought they were getting when they acquired him ot he may have a short stay in the Windy City.

Defense and goaltending also failed to show

Goaltender Arvid Soderblom was signed as a free agent by Chicago on May 17, 2021, and had promise while attending training camp. While he still has a future, he has lacked a steady goaltender presence. He has not lived up to that billing just yet. Last season, he won only eight of the 24 games he started and had the highest goals-against average of any Chicago netminder. Not only did he struggle last season, but he has also done so throughout his career, winning only 25 games in five seasons with the Blackhawks. He will likely remain the backup to Spencer Knight, but he needs to be more consistent in his play.

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk signed with Chicago as a free agent on October 5, 2025, and brought a veteran presence. He previously had a good offensive season, where he could get the offense going from the back end. However, last season was a different story as he recorded only 12 points, the second-lowest of his career. He posted 40 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins the season before. His 12 points were all assists, and he failed to create any offense, taking 68 shots last season, the second-lowest of his career. His 16:58 time on ice was the lowest since the 2017-18 season, and he registered only 54 blocks and 28 hits from the defensive position. Offense aside, he needs to be a bigger player in the defensive zone to make his defense impossible to play against.

Chicago is not a bad team. They are growing and showing signs of a team that could be good in a few years. They need everyone on the roster to buy in and play a big part on the team's success. If half of this team fails to show up, it will be a while before they can compete for a Stanley Cup.

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