It’s April, and the Chicago Blackhawks are not in playoff contention. AGAIN. But if we look at the 2025-26 season as a whole, there’s been a lot of positive progression. Sure, the doom-and-gloom fans will say I’m being too optimistic. But most fans can agree that the team has taken steps in the right direction this season (even if you agree grudgingly).
The Blackhawks have established a positive culture, they have an identity of checking and not cheating for offense, and they’re a young and fast team with a high ceiling of skill and potential. Injuries to their top two centers right in the middle of the season, being on the losing end of numerous overtime and shootout games, and losing their entire veteran leadership group at the trade deadline has taken its toll. But these current Blackhawks, give or take a few players, will mostly be who makes up the 2026-27 lineup. To that end, they’re working to learn as much as they can right now, and end this campaign on a high note.
With four games to go, all of them at the United Center, let’s get to the latest news and rumors.
Bedard Hits 200 Career Points
It seems like we’re talking every week about Connor Bedard reaching a new milestone; because that’s pretty much been the way it’s been ever since he joined the league. The latest came against the San Jose Sharks this past Monday (Apr. 6). Ryan Donato found the back of the net to get the scoring started, and Bedard was credited with the secondary assist.
This helper was his 200th career point, scored in his 215th career game. It turns out this is precisely the same number of games it took one Patrick Kane to reach 200 points.
Connor Bedard hits the 200-point mark in his NHL career in his 215th game, which is the exact game Patrick Kane reached 200 points. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/RAxziLO3Ch
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 7, 2026
It’s become quite clear this season, Bedard’s third NHL campaign, that he’s the player (and then some!) he was touted to be when he was drafted first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He’s always been known for his scoring prowess, but his playmaking abilities are off the charts as well. Not only that, but he’s committed to being more defensively responsible. He’s gotten faster and stronger, his faceoff abilities have improved and he’s stepped up as a leader.
Bedard currently boasts 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points, the latter two of which lead the team. It’s a pleasure watching this 20-year-old night in and night out, and we have many more years to see him grown and improve.
Frondell’s on Fire
Speaking of exceptional talents, 18-year-old Anton Frondell joined the Blackhawks on Mar. 24 after finishing his final season with Djurgardens IF, a team in the top tier of the Swedish Hockey League. The third overall pick of the 2025 Draft came with high expectations, but he’s already exceeding them.
In eight games played, Frondell has amassed a goal and five helpers, three of those of the primary variety. In his NHL debut against the New York Islanders on Mar. 24, he tallied his first point, a really smart feed and primary assist for a goal by Ilya Mikheyev. His second assist came in his second game, a primary assist to Bedard against the Philadelphia Flyers on Mar. 26.
Related – Analyzing Anton Frondell’s First 5 Games as a Blackhawk
Frondell notched his first multi-point game in just his fourth contest (versus the New Jersey Devils on Mar. 29), providing an assist to Mikheyev and then another helper on a power play goal by Frank Nazar. In his fifth game, the Swedish native earned his first NHL goal, scored against the Winnipeg Jets (Mar. 31).
FIRST GOAL AS A HAWK 🥹❤️‼️ pic.twitter.com/zzZBgb7hKu
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 1, 2026
Frondell added his fifth assist versus the Sharks on Apr. 6, on another power play tally by Nazar. Head coach Jeff Blashill has been so impressed with the newest young member of the team that he appointed him as the Blackhawks’ second line center in just his fourth game. Said Blashill ahead of the contest against the Edmonton Oilers on Apr. 2,
I just really felt like his package of size, strength on the puck, skill, smarts, is a pretty good package. Probably the biggest thing is, I’ve played him at center now for two games, and how well he’s done at center against really, really good players at that age is pretty awesome. He’s got real pro habits already in terms of stopping on pucks, knowing when to take a chance, when they want to put pucks in behind, things like that. So he’s done a really good job.
Frondell is off to a sensational start, and is primed to make a huge impact with the Blackhawks next season.
Power Play Punch
The Blackhawks decided to go with a top power play unit comprised of five forwards starting on Mar. 29 against the Devils. This is rather unusual, as power plays usually consist of four forwards and a defenseman back to retrieve pucks and set up plays. But Artyom Levshunov, their usual defenseman on the man advantage, was announced out for the season with a fractured hand on this date. That said, it made sense to experiment with something different. This new-look unit includes Tyler Bertuzzi as the net front presence, Teuvo Teravainen in the bumper position, Nazar and Frondell on the wings and Bedard up top as the quarterback.
It turns out the unit had immediate success, with the Nazar power play goal I referred to up above, where Frondell (secondary) and Bedard (primary) provided the assists. Since then, this unit has found their footing, scoring two more times (essentially three times since Donato’s goal versus the Sharks was scored right after the PP time expired). Here’s a look at what was their most successful sequence to date on the man advantage, even though they somehow didn’t score.
What a sequence from the top power-play unit. Chance after chance: pic.twitter.com/Bsu2ZB9ZXO
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) April 7, 2026
“They’re catching definitely some confidence and swagger,” said Blashill after the game. “Bedsy up top is real dangerous. He’s a great distributor. Obviously Frondell on that side now is a real weapon, too, with his one-timer. So just the combo of all five guys, they’re starting to get some chemistry. I think they’ve looked good every time they’ve been together, to be honest with you. And tonight was probably the best we looked.”
I wasn’t sure if Bedard up top would stifle his ability to score. But he really does a great job of controlling the play in that position, and he thinks it provides more options for the unit as a whole.
You just have the puck a lot, because you’re kind of quarterbacking it. I feel pretty confident that I can get my shot through, not at any time, but most of the time. But at the end of the day, I’m higher up than all the other guys. If I have a perfect lane to shoot, I will. But I’d rather have Frondy (Frondell) or Frank (Nazar) taking a 1-t(imer) or Bert (Bertuzzi) or Turbo (Teravainen) around the net back door.
Blashill says he’d have to be crazy not to utilize this unit moving forward, including next season. He feels shorthanded chances against shouldn’t be a problem, as the entire group is responsible in that aspect. Considering the video clip above, this unit could be a real threat, and tons of fun to watch in the future.
Moore Skating Again
In come encouraging news, forward Oliver Moore skated after Blackhawks’ practice on Wednesday (Apr. 8). The rookie sustained a lower body injury on Mar. 8 in a game against the Dallas Stars. While it was heartening to see the jovial redhead on the ice, Blashill said he wasn’t counting on Moore participating in any games before the season comes to a close.
The injury was unfortunate for the 21-year-old, as he was having a solid rookie campaign. In 51 games, he registered five goals and 19 points. He started the season playing on the wing, but in late December the Blackhawks tried him at center. It was a game-changer. Moore thrived at the center position, finding it easier to use his speed to create more and drive play.
Related – Blackhawks’ Wyatt Kaiser Finding His Best Two-Way Game at the End of the 2025-26 Season
However, Frondell’s arrival makes it seem as if the Blackhawks are pretty set down the middle, with Bedard, Frondell and Nazar as the 1-2-3 punch at center. Moore could make a phenomenal fourth line center. But the skills of this first round pick (19th overall in 2023) could likely be utilized higher up in the lineup. He built some good chemistry with both Nazar and fellow rookie Nick Lardis throughout the season.
But let’s face it; these are all good problems to have next season!
Other Blackhawks’ News & Notes
Here a few other tidbits and updates surrounding the Blackhawks.
- Goaltender Spencer Knight was the Blackhawks’ nominee for the Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The 24-year-old has had a phenomenal season as the Hawks’ starting netminder (.907 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average), just three years removed from entering the player’s assistance program for treatment related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here’s the full list of nominees.
Nominees for the 2026 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, as announced by the PHWA, given to the player “who best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”
📲 pic.twitter.com/WVCyViOUzT— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 8, 2026
- I’ve mentioned Nazar a bunch in this piece, and that’s obviously not by accident. The 22-year-old has been a bit streaky this season, but it’s been a good streak of late! In the last five games, Nazar’s posted three goals and five points, including two two-point games.
- Prospect Sacha Boisvert has gotten a little lost in the shuffle with the emergence of Frondell on the scene. But Boisvert has suited up for six games with the Blackhawks after his season ended at Boston University. He scored his first NHL goal against the Seattle Kraken on Apr. 4.
BOISVERT FIRST NHL GOAL
BOISVERT FIRST NHL GOAL
BOISVERT FIRST NHL GOOOOOOOOOOOAL pic.twitter.com/UPHSwz3JUi— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 5, 2026
- Season-ending injuries to defensemen Levshunov and Matt Grzelcyk have opened up the door for Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski to showcase their skills in what they hope is preparation for another campaign with the Hawks. Both will be restricted free agents at the end of the season.
Related – Blackhawks’ Ethan Del Mastro Can Build Off Strong Impression to End 2025-26
The Blackhawks may be out of playoff contention, but they’re doing their best to end the season on a high note. Based on what we’re seeing right now, the 2026-27 campaign looks awfully promising.
Keep it here at The Hockey Writers for all the latest news, rumors, updates and analysis!
