Teuvo Teräväinen should have a rebound 2026-27 season

Teuvo Teräväinen has been one of the biggest playmakers on the Chicago Blackhawks throughout his tenure. A veteran who has been able to help anchor a developing offense.

But he had a 2025-26 season that didn't go his way.

His 2026-27 storyline will be about how he will bounce back.

How Teräväinen produced amid dip in points

It feels strange to talk about a bounce-back season for Teräväinen because he is usually so consistent. With that, his 82-game point average is 55 points.

In 2024-25, he had 58 points in 82 games. Last season, he had 14 goals and 35 points in 75 games, which is a notable difference for him.

Teräväinen is no stranger to sometimes going longer stretches without goals. But he is usually consistent in assists. Which is why it was odd to see a gap with few points. For example, he went through a 15-game stretch without a goal (5 points in that span).

However, he was still third on the Blackhawks in power-play points (19) and was tied with Connor Bedard for second in power-play goals (7). He was also fifth overall on the team in points. So, he was productive.

Head coach Jeff Blashill talked about Teräväinen's confidence on March 1, “I hear what Teuvo’s saying. He's probably not feeling it, you know? And that happens. It happens, like we've said to every player... One thing with Teuvo is he still contributes, even if he's not playing a major role five-on-five, because he's a really good penalty killer and he's a really good bumper on the power play. And so those two things he's continued to do a good job at. Five-on-five, he's probably not feeling as well as he'd like to. I think the biggest thing with him is just making sure he moves his feet when he gets the puck, and when he does that, he's a really smart player and can make a lot of good plays. So, he'll fight through it. I think he's been better here in the last little bit, though.”

Teräväinen's hockey IQ is his strength, and something the coach and his teammates mentioned when talking about him. You'll always hear the word "smart" when it comes to him.

Frank Nazar said, "He's one of the smartest players I've ever played with. He just knows where to go. He's got unreal touch, like his toe drag was just disgusting for that goal. But I think all year and last year, just the plays... he reads off guys super well. So he knows, like, if I'm building speed, or if I'm pushing to an area where to lay pucks, like, how to spin... like the spin on the puck is crazy. He knows it all, and I don't know if he knows it or it just happens, but I think he's just extremely smart, and I don't know, just been able to mesh well."

Teräväinen can return rejuvenated

Teräväinen's season was also different because he didn't get an extended break like his teammates did, as he played for Team Finland at the Olympics. It was exciting for him, as he won the bronze medal.

However, it brought up a point about whether he might've been exhausted from the cramped regular-season schedule and playing in the Olympics. He was asked in March about whether he was feeling the effects of getting no break, and he was humble in his response: "Yeah, I don't know. Tough to say. But yeah, it's been a long year for sure, and just mentally too, because now we're having to win a lot of games. So it's just tough, but it's just, try to battle, and (get the next one)."

Hockey players usually soldier on no matter what is ailing them. But it would make complete sense if he were feeling worn down.

Going into next season, he should rebound. His most consistent linemates last season were Nazar and Tyler Bertuzzi, and even though he found himself in a bottom-six role at times, he can still be a factor in the top six and on special teams.

Furthermore, he added more medals to his collection this summer after winning gold with Finland at the World Championships. Unfortunately, Scott Powers of The Athletic reported that Teräväinen suffered a broken finger, limiting him to one game in the tournament.

But coming back to the Blackhawks healed and rested, I don't think there are any major concerns that the 31 year old won't have a better 2026-27.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow