It’s been a 2025-26 season of ups and downs for the Chicago Blackhawks. Yes, it’s disappointing they placed near the bottom of the league in the standings yet again. But there was still a prevailing sense of positivity at exit interviews last week (Apr. 16). This young group feels they’re taking strides in the right direction, and there’s a lot of excitement for a more promising future.
With that in mind, let’s put a bow on this campaign by handing out some individual player awards. A story from the Rockford IceHogs was my inspiration, and I added a few awards of my own. I also got some input from my colleague and partner in crime, Brooke LoFurno!
Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the Blackhawks’ player awards.
Defenseman of the Year: Wyatt Kaiser
It’s no secret Wyatt Kaiser had a breakout 2025-26 campaign. This was his fourth campaign with the organization, but the first where he established himself as an everyday player with the Blackhawks. The Minnesota native suited up for 77 games, recording six goals (second among defensemen) and 17 points. But he’s more known as a shutdown defenseman, and this is where he took extensive strides, in spite of an lower body injury that kept him out of the “second training camp” the Blackhawks underwent after the Olympic Break to revamp their systems.
As the season wore on, it became a common theme for head coach Jeff Blashill to compliment Kaiser after almost every game. At a practice on Mar. 22 he said,
He’s done a really good job this year of learning to use his feet to skate himself out of pressure, and then the balance of when to then make the next play and when to just live another day. And I think he’s really learned that well. And if he does that, he’s a real talented guy that can create offense without giving much up.
On Mar. 31 after a contest versus the Winnipeg Jets, Blashill called the young blueliner out unprompted, “I thought Wyatt Kaiser was excellent. I would definitely single him out. Wyatt’s a bit of a gamer. Man, he attacks the game. Love the way that he attacks it.”
By the end of the season Blashill was giving Kaiser more ice time and deploying him in more situations as he earned the coach’s trust. He finished the season averaging 19:37 minutes of TOI per night, which was second only to Alex Vlasic on the D-core. Kaiser also led all Blackhawks with 36 takeaways.
Rookie of the Year: Anton Frondell
A lot of young players earned their stripes this season, but nobody hit the ground running like 18-year-old Anton Frondell. The Blackhawks’ third overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft joined the team for the final 12 games, after his previous team, Durgardens IF of the Swedish Hockey League, was eliminated from the playoffs.
Frondell stood out from day one as strong and smart and someone who already knew how to play amongst men. He was immediately deployed on the top line alongside Connor Bedard, as well as the top power play unit. The Swedish native earned his first point (a primary assist) in his NHL debut, and another primary assist in his second game. By his fourth game, Coach Blashill had given him second line center responsibilities. Frondell responded with his first multi-point game (two more helpers). His first goal came in his fifth game, and he had a two goal outing in his ninth NHL contest.
GOAL: Anton Frondell deflects in his second goal of the night. pic.twitter.com/86oYnq8ZrE
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) April 10, 2026
All in all, Frondell contributed three goals and nine points while registering 36 shots on goal and averaging 17:42 minutes of ice time. He also contributed 13 blocked shots and eight hits and had a plus/minus rating of plus-1. Really the only knock on him was his 30.2% faceoff percentage, which he said he got more comfortable with as the season wound down.
Did I mention he’s just 18 years old and has only played in 12 NHL games so far?! This kid is the real deal, and should be super fun to watch next season and beyond.
Biggest Surprise/Most Improved: Ryan Greene
Did anyone have it on their bingo card that rookie Ryan Greene would play on the top line with Bedard for the majority of the season?! Not only that, but he looked pretty darn good playing alongside arguably one of the best players in the world.
He wasn’t flashy, but he was consistent. As Coach Blashill said, there’s no “batsh!t crazy” when it comes to Greene. He’s a reliable, responsible two-way player who’s also smart enough to read off Bedard. But this didn’t just come naturally. Greene had to work hard to earn this continued deployment. In late February after a practice he said, “Yeah, I think just sticking with it. I mean, obviously was on the bubble there, and then got to stay up. And I feel like I took advantage of the opportunity in front of me. Just haven’t looked back since.”
That’s right; this is a guy who was supposed to start the season with the Rockford IceHogs. Instead, he had a very impressive rookie campaign with the Blackhawks, registering 12 goals and 29 points while averaging 16:45 minutes of ice time in 81 games. Greene also offers flexibility to the lineup in that he’s his same dependable self playing center or wing, and wherever he’s deployed.
Will he play on the top line with Bedard next season? Perhaps, perhaps not. But Greene’s got a good head start on any competition for that spot. Regardless, he should be super proud of his accomplishments in his rookie campaign.
Best Sniper & Heavy Hitter: Louis Crevier
If we were just going with the heavy hitter, Colton Dach would win this award by a mile. In 53 games with the Blackhawks, Dach registered 189 hits. But this young forward was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Defenseman Louis Crevier came in second on the Blackhawks with 124 hits in 78 games. It might also be argued the 6-foot-8, 228-pound blueliner could be considered for defenseman of the year. But since we’ve already given that honor to Kaiser, let’s tout Crevier as the biggest hitter, as well as the best sniper with the Blackhawks this season.
According to NHL Edge, Crevier has one of the hardest shots in the league. He used this heavy shot to help secure seven goals, which led all defensemen on the team. Besides this, the young blueliner emerged as a top defenseman (alongside Vlasic) with his smart instincts, long reach and ability to thwart plays. He also stepped up in the department of defending his teammates, partaking in his first NHL fight this season.
Frank Nazar takes a big hit from Kaiden Guhle, and Louis Crevier steps in to defend his teammate. And then chaos ensues at the United Center. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/jAf6A0NSQi
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 12, 2025
Ironically, my colleague Brooke pegged Crevier for the “Kindness Trophy” when I asked for her input on these awards. I can attest the Quebec City native has always been sincere, genuine and humble in all my interactions with him. That said, bring on the big hits and keep ripping those shots!
Most Underrated Player: Ilya Mikheyev
Ilya Mikheyev might get lost in the shuffle by the casual fan, but he’s certainly appreciated amongst his teammates and coaches. Said Blashill in early February,
He’s been really good for us. He can do different roles. He really hasn’t had a shot (at playing) on the power play, but he could play on the power play. That’s more of a decision I’ve made. You could equally make the argument he could be on it. So he can certainly go up and down the lineup. He can play in a checking role. He’s excelled at that. He’s a great penalty killer. The only thing he doesn’t do is play center. Other than that, he does have great versatility. He’s a winning-type player.
You never got a half-hearted shift from Mikheyev; he was always skating fast, fighting battles, pressuring hard and stripping pucks. He did all those little things that sometimes go unnoticed. It paid off in his production this season; the 31-year-old recorded a career-high 36 points. His 18 goals was third on the team and his 36 points fourth.
And this is coming from a guy who’s role is more of a shutdown forward. He did that to perfection as well, with 75.9% of his zone starts in the defensive zone, yet still finishing the season as the only player with a positive plus/minus rating (plus-2).
Mikheyev also specialized on the penalty kill, being second only to D-man Vlasic with 202:10 minutes of ice time when down a man. He notched a team-leading three shorthanded points (including a goal). Let’s keep in mind the Blackhawks’ PK ranked second in the league this season. Teammate Oliver Moore gave some insights into Mikheyev’s overall contributions at the team’s season-ending exit interviews.
Yeah, Mickey’s a dog. I mean, he brought it every night, for sure. I think he’s definitely an underrated guy on our team. And yeah, I think that his motor and his compete and his drive, and it’s all something I want to be, and player I want to be like, for sure. Any time you can have a guy like Ilya Mikheyev on your team, your team’s gonna be better. I mean, he was our best penalty killer all season. I don’t know how many stick on pucks he had, but it was ridiculous. And yeah, just great guy, too.
Mikheyev is currently an unrestricted free agent, and the Blackhawks will be trying to re-sign him in the offseason. He has, and could continue to be, an extremely complementary piece to this young team.
Biggest Bromance: Nick Lardis & Oliver Moore
Sure, there’s the Bedzar connection (Bedard and Frank Nazar). But rookies Moore and Nick Lardis have developed an especially strong bond. Both were selected by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Moore in the first round (19th overall) and Lardis in the third round (67th overall). Both started the 2025-26 season with the IceHogs, placed on the top line together and developing instant chemistry.
Moore was called up to the Blackhawks in early November, with Lardis not far behind him in mid-December. They were deployed mostly on the same line together, and picked up right where they had left off in Rockford. I caught up with them before a game in mid-January, where their stalls were right next to each other in the locker room. When you spoke with one you invariably were speaking with the other as well. I asked Moore if he liked playing with Lardis.
It’s hard, sometimes (glancing sideways at Lardis to make sure he caught the joke). No, but it’s a super, super awesome, super easy transition. Obviously, he’s a special player to play with, special guy to be around. So yeah, it’s been a lot of fun, and we got to continue to grow our individual games, and together. I’m excited to see where we can take it.
I mean, it was right away. We kind of got instant chemistry, and I think we’ve built on it too. So it’s been good.
Moore got in the first fight of his NHL career sticking up for Lardis, and the diminutive Lardis (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) never backed down from defending Moore either.
Oliver Moore takes a big hit, and Nick Lardis immediately comes in to defend his teammate. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/9sFV6u6mHs
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 10, 2026
Lardis was asked at exit interviews if there was one player he’d gained the most chemistry with over the season. He said there were many, but called out Moore specifically.
Obviously I played with Mooresy a lot. In Rockford I thought we had great chemistry. And then when I got called up the first time, I thought we played really well together. So I’d say, if there’s one person, I’d probably say him just because I played the most with him. And I thought we gained a lot of chemistry.
Off the ice as well, just living with him in Rockford. We talked about it yesterday, like we’ve kind of been through a lot this year together. So it’s pretty cool to look back at this season with him and see everything we’ve been through.
Moore was sidelined with a lower body injury for the end of the season, and Lardis finished the campaign on the top line alongside Bedard. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Moore and Lardis are deployed together next season. The bromance can continue.
Offensive Player of the Year: Connor Bedard
This is a no-brainer, and I’m sure not a surprise to anyone. Bedard took yet another step this season, growing both on and off the ice. He topped all his career numbers, contributing 30 goals, 45 assists, 75 points, 226 shots on goal and averaging 20:52 minutes of ice time. His offensive stats led the team in pretty much every area (Tyler Bertuzzi registered 32 goals), despite missing 13 games mid-season with a shoulder injury. The 20-year-old also made a drastic improvement in faceoff success this season, going from a 38.3% success rate to 47.1%.
Bedard led the team with five game-winning goals. His 14 power play helpers also led the team, and his 21 PP points was tied with Bertuzzi. The young superstar improved defensively as well, understanding the team’s need to commit to checking for offense. There was also a feisty, physical side of Bedard’s game that surfaced.
Bedard and Korczak go at it behind the play: pic.twitter.com/SSndAwxT8O
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) March 15, 2026
Bedard is due a new contract this offseason, but we all know that’s just a formality. It will get done. And then this young man can truly take over as the leader he’s already become for this franchise. The captaincy is imminent as well.
When asked about being captain, Bedard said it would be an honor and that he feels he’s ready for the commitment. Coach Blashill has indicated Bedard is the perfect candidate to lead this team because of his commitment to winning hockey. Here’s more from Bedard on winning.
I talk about wanting to win. We all want to win here, for as long as I’m playing. But the end of the day, I have so much faith in the management, the coaching, and also our players. We get to see each other every day. How we approach the game, how guys practice, how much skill there is. I would go to bat for any single guy in that room, and argue that they’re going to reach their full potential just because the mindset and work ethic that we have in our group. I couldn’t be more confident that we are going to get to where we want to get to. And it’s going to be fun journey. I think that’s what people say they look back on, is kind of growing up together and then getting better and better. And we’re motivated to do that.
Bedard is leading the way, and his passion and commitment is infectious.
Most Valuable Player: Spencer Knight
Last but not least, goaltender Spencer Knight is well-deserving of the MVP award. Bedard led on offense, Kaiser and company took strides on defense, and complementary players did their part. But Knight was the backbone of this team, both literally and figuratively. Every night (with very few exceptions) he made the saves that needed to be made to keep this team in the game, and give them a chance to win.
Knight entrenched himself with a starting role for the first time in his NHL career, having started in 55 games. His .902 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average doesn’t jump off the page, but these are certainly respectable stats considering the developing team in front of him. At locker cleanout on Apr. 16, Knight gave this self-assessment of his season.
I think overall, my year playing more games, it felt good. I felt like I could have played more. And I’m gonna have to play more at some point, right? You know, you play 50-60 (games) in regular season. You’re gonna play 70-80 if you play playoffs, which is what we’re gonna try to do at some point. So I felt fine. Thought my game felt good. Just grew, and just keep learning how to make better reads, getting all the situations, different kinds of games, different types of pressure. Playing from behind, playing with the lead. I think that obviously has a factor in the reads you make, how you react. So I think that was all really good.
Knight is already thinking about the playoffs, and taking every situation as a way to learn and grow moving forward. He’s said numerous times throughout the season that it’s a privilege to play in the close games, because that will give the team the experience they need when they’re ready to contend.
Let’s not forget that the Blackhawks’ starting netminder previously came from the Florida Panthers, who secured back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. He’s no stranger to a winning culture, and he can bring that experience and mindset to the Blackhawks. Plus, Knight just turned 25 years old on Apr. 19. In Chicago terms, that’s a mature old man right there!
Bonus Awards for the Blackhawks
Here are a few bonus awards I feel are deserving for a few more Blackhawks’ players.
Power Play Pro: Tyler Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi led the team with 11 power play goals and tied Bedard for first place with 21 PP points. His net front presence was invaluable in the man advantage as well as five-on-five play. There’s no doubt the veteran will be a big presence with this young group next season.
Most Unlucky Player: Frank Nazar
Who gets hit with the puck in the face two times in one season?! Nazar endured a fractured jaw that kept him out for 12 games in late December and early January. Plus, he got hit in the face again at the end of the season, resulting in two lost teeth.
Let’s hope Nazar has put some bad luck behind him, and the hockey gods smile on him moving forward. With luck on his side, it could pave the way for a breakout season next year.
Best All-Around Good Guy: Sam Lafferty
Veteran forward Sam Lafferty was supposed to be the insurance guy in case some of the kids weren’t ready this season. The bad news for Lafferty was that most of them were ready. This 31-year-old was the odd man out more times than not, only suiting up for 29 contests.
But you would never know it by talking to Lafferty. He earned a reputation in the room for being one of the nicest guys, never bringing the team down with any negativity and always having a positive and mentoring mindset. The players fell in love with him. As Landon Slaggert told Brooke one day, “Your day is better when Sam Lafferty is a part of it.”
That does it for our player awards for the 2025-26 season. Can you think of any accolades we missed? Any awards you disagree with?
It was a tough but productive campaign for the Blackhawks. Many players exceeded expectations, but they’re looking to add to their accomplishments nonetheless. Here’s to an even more productive 2026-27 campaign!
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