Chicago Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Wyatt Kaiser

The Chicago Blackhawks finished their 2025-26 campaign 31st in the league, with a record of 29-39-14 and 72 points. It was an improvement from last season’s totals of 25-46-11 (61 points), but the organization had more progress in mind when they embarked on this campaign. The good news is the Blackhawks finished with more wins and more points than the previous season. They also feel they’ve taken positive strides in the growth and development of a plethora of young players, who could be a big part of a more successful future.

In this summer series, we’ll hand out individual grades to every player on the team. Today we highlight defenseman Wyatt Kaiser.

Kaiser’s Season Stats

6 goals, 11 assists, 17 points, minus-16 in 77 games played. Average time on ice (ATOI) of 19:37 minutes, shoots left

45.2 Corsi For Percentage (at Even Strength) (CF%), 69 blocked shots, 45 hits, 36 takeaways, 89 giveaways, 34 penalty minutes

Contract Status: Contract runs through the 2026-27 season, $1.7 million cap hit

Season Overview

Kaiser didn’t even have a contract signed with the Blackhawks until the day before training camp. He was trying to get what he felt was his worth, and the organization wasn’t sold yet. But they eventually did work out a two-year deal with a $1.7 million cap hit.

It’s safe to say Kaiser exceeded expectations.

The 23-year-old might’ve actually gotten a bit of the short end of the stick last season. He’s still so young himself, yet he was tasked with mentoring an even younger and more inexperienced Artyom Levshunov at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. Because of the youth of the rest of the blue line he was almost considered a veteran, as head coach Jeff Blashill admitted. That’s not always an ideal combination towards developing and bettering oneself.

But Kaiser thrived in spite of all that. He posted six goals, which was second by defensemen only to Louis Crevier (seven goals). His 17 points ranked fourth among D-men, and his 36 takeaways was first on the team. His 69 blocked shots ranked fifth. Kaiser was also sixth in ice time on the penalty kill (145:29 total minutes).

The Minnesota native is known for being a defense-first player, but he can also contribute offensively. He’s a great puck mover, able to use his skating, speed and agility to advance the puck to the forwards. In describing what he wanted from Kaiser, Blashill articulated, “Be a breakout guy, be a regroup guy, be good in the offensive end without taking on a lot of risk.”

Kaiser had a bit of a setback when he was injured On Feb. 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was defending the rush when Zach Werenski fell onto Kaiser’s left knee and leg. He was in immediate distress, having to be helped off the ice and down the tunnel.

A closer look at the Wyatt Kaiser injury. Doesn't look great. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/iDtcIsBiD6

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 5, 2026

The good news was this injury came right before the Olympic break, so Kaiser didn’t miss a huge amount of time. The bad news was Kaiser missed the entire “second training camp” with the team, as well as four games following the break. He returned on Mar. 6 versus the Vancouver Canucks, and had to rebuild what he had gained at the beginning of the season.

Even so, Kaiser proved his solid play earlier on wasn’t an anomaly. Upon returning from injury, he posted one goal and five points in 20 games, all while maintaining a respectable minus-2 plus/minus rating and averaging a healthy 21:25 minutes of ice time. He played mostly on the second defensive pairing alongside Sam Rinzel.

Wyatt Kaiser – Chicago Blackhawks (6) pic.twitter.com/9dVHsRu1pu

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 21, 2026

All in all, Kaiser got more consistent as the season went along. His improvement was palpable, and he matured in the process. It earned him Defenseman of the Year honors in our THW player awards.  

Quotable Quote

Kaiser at exit interviews, on what he can attribute to his success:

Just slowly accumulate experience playing games, get a little bit more mature, more strong mentally. You’ve been through ups and downs, different things, gain some confidence in yourself, understand who you are as a player a little bit more. There’s a lot of little things that contribute to it. It wasn’t necessarily one thing.

So I think it was good steps this year and continuing to try to build in the next year. Like, it’s not good enough. But it’s a good start, a good foundation to build off of.

Kaiser’s Final Grade: B+

It’s clear Kaiser has become an integral member of this team’s blue line, shutting things down defensively while also contributing offensively. He’s taken huge strides this season, building his confidence and maturity. He should be a key part of the Blackhawk’s success in the 2026-27 campaign.