The center or wing debate for Oliver Moore will remain prevalent in 2026-27

When discussing the Chicago Blackhawks' young core, Oliver Moore is highly regarded, being the former 19th overall pick.

In his rookie season, he showed a versatile game that was valued all over the lineup.

Therefore, his 2026-27 storyline will focus on his role.

Moore showed more than just quickness

It was thought at training camp that if Moore started the season with the Rockford IceHogs, he probably wouldn't be there long... and he wasn't.

Moore played only nine games in Rockford and tallied nine points. When Jason Dickinson was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury in November, Moore got his shot.

On the Blackhawks, whether he played second-or third-line wing, or even third-line center, he was one of their versatile forwards. He was drafted as a center and showed that playing there worked for him when he got called upon.

He had 19 points in 51 games, with a 48.3 faceoff percentage. Dickinson led the team at 49.5 percent. Furthermore, he was third among Blackhawks rookies in points (19), goals (5), and assists (14).

Moore has always been known for his speed, and it's central to his game, as it helps create scoring chances for himself and his team. There is more scoring to be had from him, and if he continues creating those opportunities, more production should come.

He also showed more depth to his game than just being a speedy forward. His most memorable game came in January against the Carolina Hurricanes, where he got in a fight (defending Nick Lardis) and then got the shootout winner, which happened to be on his 21st birthday. He has a strong work ethic on the ice.

Unfortunately, he suffered a lower-body injury in early March and missed the final 19 games of the season. At that point, he was playing center more.

What role will fit Moore best in 2026-27?

There is uncertainty about whether Moore will be a center long-term because of the Blackhawks' crowded group down the middle, but he just wants to help anywhere in the lineup.

He said in exit interviews about how he views his future role, "Yeah, I mean, it's too early to say. I mean, I feel like I excelled at both at times this year. Obviously, I think at center I was a little bit more comfortable maybe, just with it being my natural position. But I think that one of my strengths is going to be my versatility going forward. And, you know, with a team, I think there's going to be nights where you have to play with more responsibility, and sometimes there might be nights where I might have to fill in for a different role. So, I'm willing to do anything. The big thing I want to do is just continue to try to be a winning hockey player and use my compete and do the things that I know are going to help the team win every night."

The goal of continuing on to be winning hockey player also includes the hockey IQ side.

Moore also discussed while he was recovering, aiming to improve on how he thinks the game, saying, "I think it was honestly a blessing in disguise for me. You know, obviously making the jump from college to the NHL and pro hockey, it's not smooth for everyone. I think that just being able to watch and take little things from our team, how we want to play, and also just other guys and other teams; how they're thinking the game and doing little things. So, I think it helped me for sure. You know, hopefully I can come back and have a bit of a better understanding of just little spots to be and things to do."

The Blackhawks are trying to figure out what will suit him best, and it's a plus that his skill set could develop in different ways over time.

Head coach Jeff Blashill pondered Moore's ceiling back in February: "I think (with) Oliver, none of us know what his ceiling is at this level, and we're going to all watch and see. But I think for sure, he's got that speed, tenacity. Another guy, I think as he learns his strength and gets stronger, he's going to win even more battles that you could foresee him being a guy who can be on a momentum line, play against the other team's best. Like Tampa was just in here. That (Yanni) Gourde line has done an excellent job for that team. You know, can you give us some of that? Or is he going to be a guy who's a complementary guy in the top six? I don't know that yet. He didn't play enough minutes the other night, but the role that he's playing right now gives us a little more glimpse of kind of that energy-matchup type, potential type player. And so I want to see how he does in that role.”

Questions remain about his role in 2026-27: center, wing, top six, bottom six. Either way, the Blackhawks look forward to seeing how another one of their young, talented players progresses.

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