3 Chicago Blackhawks Who Need to Be Better in 2026-27

The ceiling for the 2026-27 Chicago Blackhawks depends on who you ask. They will be starting in an unfavorable position because of the injury to franchise center Connor Bedard, though his estimated timeline for return is more positive than it initially was.

In order for the Blackhawks to unlock their potential and reach a higher threshold, they are going to need more out of a few guys. With so many youngsters on the roster, there are three guys who are going to need to elevate their game in the coming season.

Artyom Levshunov, D

Levshunov may have the most to prove among anyone on the roster. The second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft has flashed franchise defenseman ability. He played his first full season at 20 years old, picking up 22 assists and 24 points along the way.

Young defensemen generally take time to come into their own, so no one is expecting Levshunov to be the player he was drafted to be this season. That said, he needs to take more meaningful strides, put together more consistent stretches at both ends of the ice, and become the complete defenseman he was envisioned to be.

The Blackhawks were bad a season ago, but Levshunov’s minus-41 plus/minus rating is inexcusable. With Bowen Byram in the fold, some of the pressure is off. That said, Levshunov needs to show growth offensively, maturity in his own end, and begin fulfilling on his tremendous promise or the Blackhawks could be facing a very ugly situation.

Teuvo Teravainen, W

Teuvo Teravainen is clearly on the back half of his career after 13 seasons in the NHL, but he’s shown that he can be and do more. Granted, he was putting up his best numbers (63 points or better four times) with the Carolina Hurricanes, but he is capable of more than the 35 points he put up in 75 games a season ago.

He is going to be somewhere in the middle six depending on who is available and how they’re doing. With Bedard out, they are going to need him to deliver more offensively, he had 58 points his first season in Chicago, if they are going to find more balance offensively.

If he can approach 20 goals and 50 points, that would be a big win for the middle of the Blackhawks’ lineup. The interesting thing to watch with him is that he’s playing for a new contract, and that kind of motivation can lead to a boost in production.

Frank Nazar, C

Nazar’s inclusion on this list isn’t a criticism of him. He has shown steady growth in two full-ish NHL seasons, hitting career-highs in games played (66), goals (15), assists (26), and points (41) a season ago. His two-way play can be questioned (minus-21) but only so much on an abysmal team.

Nazar is here for a few reasons. For starters, he is a crucial figure in the growth of this team. He may be the most important forward after Bedard in terms of potential impact on this team. He’s also entering his third season, so a significant bump in production and 200-foot play is due. Not to mention the fact that he’s entering the first season of a seven-year, $46.2 million contract.

Nazar has the dynamic offensive skill to take a big jump forward this season. He will start on the top line with Bedard out, but the Blackhawks have enough talent in their top six to make things interesting when their captain returns.

Young Core Has Big Potential

Though patience is critical with so many young pieces, the Blackhawks are getting close to a crossroads. They have so much promise in the organization, but it has to deliver at some point. Things will improve when their franchise center returns but he can only do so much.

If a few of these pieces can take a meaningful step forward, the Blackhawks will be in business. Even if it doesn’t mean a playoff push this season, they should be set up nicely to take a huge step forward next season and beyond.