The Chicago Blackhawks have an important season ahead of them. The organization has committed to building through the draft, and a plethora of draft picks are NHL-ready, or on the cusp of being NHL-ready. Many young players will have a chance to make their mark this season; some becoming everyday players while many others will make their NHL debuts. Meanwhile, a small group of veterans will be tasked with helping the youngsters find their way.
In this series headed into the 2025-26 campaign, we’ll preview each player projected to make the roster, and what their role will be with the team. This edition’s spotlight is on veteran Teuvo Teräväinen.
Teräväinen By The Numbers
Drafted: 18th Overall in 2012 by the Blackhawks
Position: Center/Left Wing
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds
Age/Birthdate: 30 years old (9/11/1994)
Country: Finland
2024-25 Stats: 15 goals, 43 assists, 58 points in 82 games
Career Stats: 170 goals, 347 assists, 517 points in 752 games
How He Got Here
Teräväinen, you could say, is one of the Blackhawks’ originals on the roster, considering he was drafted by them 13 years ago and won a Stanley Cup with them as a rookie in 2015, and subsequently had a breakout 2015-16 season, which was his first full NHL season, with 35 points in 78 games.
Then, we were all privy to the story that he ended up getting traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in June 2016, in a package with Bryan Bickell, as the Blackhawks were trying to shed Bickell’s contract at the time. The trade did not age well, as Teräväinen established a nice career for himself over an eight-year tenure in Carolina with 415 points in 555 games.
The Blackhawks looked to right a wrong by signing him in free agency in 2024 with a three-year deal ($5.4 million AAV), as general manager Kyle Davidson liked how he could play a top-six role. Teräväinen played right where he left off in Chicago. He was the Blackhawks’ third-best scorer, and his 43 assists were the most he put up in a season since 2021-22, and one less than Connor Bedard. He even hit the 500 career points milestone in February.
Teräväinen’s Role in 2025-26
Teräväinen was used in a top-nine role on the Blackhawks and was one of their most reliable players. Whether it was the second line, third line, or special teams, he was a staple in the lineup, literally and figuratively, because he was one of four players with perfect attendance last season.
He has always been valued for his two-way play, which remained a big part of his identity last season. Usually, when players get re-acquired by a team, it doesn’t always have the best track record of working out. Especially in Chicago’s case. But he re-fit well.
Teräväinen will be relied on again to help solidify the top six (likely) with his production, and also on the power play and penalty kill. As my colleague Gail Kauchak mentioned in Tyler Bertuzzi’s player preview, Teräväinen had success with him and Frank Nazar. New head coach Jeff Blashill can utilize him anywhere, which is always a gift for coaches.
Related: Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Previews: Tyler Bertuzzi
He was brought back as a veteran presence to help the team, and Teräväinen hopes to see that continue. When asked during his exit interview in April whether he was satisfied with his decision to return to Chicago, he replied, “Yeah, of course. The losing part is not fun, and that’s for sure. I learned that the hard way this season. So, hopefully I can help being better to win some more games. Like even now, the last few games we won, just the feeling in the room- it’s just way better. So, we got to find a way to do that more.”
As long as Teräväinen continues to be dependable, he should have no issues replicating another solid season.
