Teuvo Teravainen will continue to be a model of consistency in 2025-2026

Teuvo Teravainen was one of the Chicago Blackhawks most reliable and consistent forwards in 2024-2025. He saw top-line minutes as a forward and was a constant fixture on the power play and penalty kill. When he signed in the summer of 2024, many felt that he would be a veteran presence on the Bedard line for 82 games. However, with the previous coaching regimes having the lines in a blender so much, it was like trying to guess a smoothie recipe based on whatever was in the fridge that day.

Teravainen, who just turned 31 years old, has been in the league for 12 seasons (time has flown!). By now, we know exactly what kind of player he is and what to expect from him night in and night out. Last year, Teravainen scored 15 goals and had 43 assists while playing all 82 games. I don't imagine his numbers will deviate too far from that this coming season, especially if he is utilized in the same way as last year.

Last year, Teravainen did see some consistent playing time with a linemate while seeing a spike in production and that was with who everyone surely predicted, Ilya Mikheyev. Teravainen's skill paired well with Mikheyev's speed, and they were able to connect on many goals for about two weeks in the middle of the year. The combination worked at the time, but I do not believe that this is a long-term solution if the Blackhawks wish to be somewhat competitive.

Please just put Bedard and Teravainen together for 82 games

Training camp begins this Thursday and it will be interesting to see the lines that new head coach, Jeff Blashill, has constructed. I believe that Blashill can make one of the easiest and most impactful decisions simply by letting Connor Bedard and Teravainen develop chemistry on the ice. We saw glimpses of it last season and even in the first game against Utah, with Teravainen scoring a slick goal off a Bedard pass. If Blashill is to leave Teravainen with Bedard for all 82 games, then I think we will not only see Bedard's point total take off, but also an uptick for Teravainen as well.

Bedard and Teravainen had the top average time on ice from forwards on the team; however, they were rarely on the ice together for even-strength play. As a result, only five goals from Bedard came from Teravainen's 43 assists last year. And three of those goals were scored on the power play. As the biggest free agent signing of the past two years, we must see the Blackhawks' two best forwards on the ice at the same time.

Who could be paired as the additional wing on the top line?

We could see some flexibility come from the other wing on the potential Bedard/Teravainen line. Ryan Donato has a good case for the top line as he scored a career high 31 goals last season. He possesses the grit and grind that would pair well with Bedard and Teravainen's skill. Tyler Bertuzzi would also provide that net front presence that would allow the cross ice passing between Teravainen and Bedard.

If Blashill decides to go for a speed/skill line then we could perhaps see two of the Blackhawks younger skaters get some time: Oliver Moore or Frank Nazar. Moore possesses the speed to get out ahead on the rush and generate room for Teravainen and Bedard to create opportunities. As we saw, Moore scored the overtime winning goal in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase. We saw Frank Nazar break out on the scene last year with his offensive creativity. He is initially slotted in as the second center; however, if he struggles, then perhaps we could see him paired on the top line to get his game kick-started.

Overall, I believe we will see more of the same from Teuvo Teravainen as far as statistical performance. The major impact that he could make in 2025-2026 could come to Connor Bedard's benefit as a mainstay on the top line.