Blackhawks preseason storylines revisited: Analyzing the top six forwards headed into the 2026-27 season

The Chicago Blackhawks are nearing the end of a very short training camp, due to the new rules in the collective bargaining agreement. This shortened camp had its drawbacks, and many storylines are left somewhat unresolved. But one thing that certainly seems set is the configuration of the top-six forwards to start the season.

Keep in mind that these forward lines do not include Connor Bedard, who is unable to start the season due to shoulder surgery in the offseason.

As we follow up on storylines to watch in training camp, let’s take a look at the players who will comprise the top-six and the thought process behind these line combinations.

The top line of Kantserov-Nazar-Kane

First off, I’d like to stress that head coach Jeff Blashill doesn’t like to put a whole lot of stock in the designations of first, second, third and fourth lines. When asked specifically about Frank Nazar being the No. 1 center, Blashill responded,

“I'm not big into like one or two or three. Just from that aspect, I think we get really caught up in is he a number one center, number one D (defense), all that kind of stuff. And at the end of the day, we just need really good players. We're gonna play guys in different spots or play guys certain minutes.”

But for the purposes of this exercise, we’re going to go ahead with “the top two lines”. Blashill gave some good insight into why he put Roman Kantserov, Nazar and Patrick Kane together.

I just think, obviously Patrick (Kane) is a is a super high IQ hockey player, and a lot of give-and-go to his game. I think both Frankie (Nazar) and Roman (Kantserov) can kind of play some of that give-and go-game with him. And they think it a little bit the same way. I think historically Patrick's had a center when he's had a center that can create lanes with his speed. It's helped him. And so Frankie with his speed through the middle will open up some different passing lanes as well. We think it can be a real good line.”

Regarding Nazar, Blashill was complimentary of the strong summer he had and how hard he worked. “He looks stronger on the puck in puck battles, which was something him and I talked about. He's controlled the puck better. I think he's got a lot of skill. Him and I just talked about, at the end of the day, we have to have the puck more. And him specifically, he can help us a lot with that by one, winning those puck battles, and two, not being careless with the puck. Making sure that when there's a chance to make a play, he sees it, he makes it.”

Obviously, if Nazar has the puck more, this will lead to more chances for him and his linemates. We know for certain that if Kane has the puck, he’s going to generate chances for himself and his linemates.

Kantserov, for his part, seems eager to fit in and make himself useful. Coming from the KHL, the 22-year-old is already used to playing with men. Blashill touted him for his high hockey IQ, and the fact that he doesn’t miss plays when they’re in front of him. This could obviously be a good fit with Kane, who specializes in being a playmaker. Here’s an example of how Kantserov, Nazar and Kane worked well together when they played the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 24.

Finally, Blashill stressed that Kantserov is a really good two-way player with a lot of strength. This could certainly be an asset on a line where Kane and Nazar are a little slighter in size and weight, and with Kane not exactly having an affinity for much defensive responsibility.

The “2nd” line of Bertuzzi-Frondell-Lardis

Moving on to the second line, or the other elite line in the top-six, we look at the thought process behind Tyler Bertuzzi, Anton Frondell and Nick Lardis being deployed together. Per Blashill after the first two days of camp,

“I thought Frondell and Bertuzzi played really well together last year. They both, Frondell has such efficient, good skill. He also doesn't overcomplicate the game, and so I think he plays a fairly direct style, and so does Bert.  And then I just thought with Nick it gives them some added skill on that line, and a guy who has the ability to finish. I just see Anton making a lot of plays and, I think Bert's a really good player, and I want another guy on the other side that can finish some of those plays.”

Bertuzzi had similar thoughts about their line. On playing with Frondell he said, “Excited to play with him again. I think we had a solid ending to last year, and we're looking forward to just starting out again. Keep building.” On what Lardis brings to the table, “I mean, he's fast. He sees the ice well, and if you give him opportunity to get a shot or get a little break, he's got some speed and he's got a great shot.” About how the trio complements each other, Bertuzzi continued, “I think we all just bring something different to the line, and once we start just building a little more chemistry, and where each other is going to be, and just learning from each other, we'll just start getting good.”

Lardis, now in just his second season with the Blackhawks, certainly isn’t taking this opportunity for granted. He understands it’s not just about the offense, but his two-way game as well. He told me, “Having the opportunity being the top six, it's not just my offensive game. A lot of times you're going out there against the other team's top six, so it's a lot of high offensive forwards on the other team that I'll be going up against in this role, and you got to prioritize being a good two-way player too.”

Frondell obviously brings some size and strength to the line. Not only did Coach Blashill laud Lardis for coming into camp more confident, but he credited 19-year-old Frondell with just having an innate confidence of his own. This will certainly help the young center with the pressures top-six responsibilities.

One thing Frondell still struggles with is winning faceoffs, which is not unusual for young players new to the league. He admitted that this is something he’ll have to work on. “I felt those games I played last season, that some guys in this league are really good at face-offs. So for me, it was just something I wanted to improve. And so far, I only play one game. I don't know exactly how many I won, but it feels like I'm being stronger there.”

For the record, Frondell won 32-of-106 faceoffs for a dismal 30.2% in his 12 games played last season. In the exhibition contest against the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 21, he won 4-of-11 faceoffs for a 36% success rate. But against the Blues on Sept. 24 he won 5-of-9 faceoffs for a 56% success rate.

Obviously this is a super small sample size. Frondell’s improvement at the dot will certainly be something to monitor moving forward. It’s also encouraging to note that Nazar has improved incrementally at faceoffs, going from 44.6% in 2024-25 to 47.4% in 2025-26. In two preseason contests thus far, he’s won 17-of-29 draws for an impressive 59% at the dot.

It might take some time for these lines to gel and build chemistry as they start out the season. They haven’t played a whole lot together in the exhibition games, but they’ve gotten plenty of reps in training camp. Time will tell whether these lines can find success together.

Stay tuned for more training camp storyline resolutions in the next handful of days before opening night on Sept. 29. We’ll look at the deployment of the bottom-six forwards, the defensive pairings and goaltending. Obviously there will be changes and adjustments throughout the season. But for now, the 23-man roster and opening night lineup is taking shape.  

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