It is great to have NHL hockey back! With the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics break wrapping up, the Chicago Blackhawks are finally getting back onto the ice. Here is a breakdown of the biggest news surrounding the team over the last few days, along with a look at their upcoming schedule as they shake off the rust.
Roster Shuffle & Injury Updates
Ahead of their return to regular-season play, the Blackhawks placed defenseman Wyatt Kaiser on Injured Reserve (lower body). To fill the void, they recalled young defensemen Kevin Korchinski and Sam Rinzel from the American Hockey League (AHL) Rockford IceHogs.
Adding to the lineup questions, forward Jason Dickinson left a recent practice early due to illness, making his status something to watch.
Trade Deadline Speculation
Sitting at 22-26-9 (53 points) and sixth in the Central Division, Chicago is more and more likely positioned as a “seller” heading toward the March trade deadline, although some speculate the front office may hold position this year. Analysts are debating whether veterans might be moved to acquire draft capital, while wilder rumors have fans speculating on blockbuster prospect packages for names like Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson.
Prospects Making Noise
With the NHL roster struggling, fans are keeping a close eye on the pipeline. Gavin Hayes recently notched a hat trick for the IceHogs, while Nathan Behm continues to raise his draft stock, hitting 33 goals for the Western Hockey League (WHL) Kamloops Blazers.
Upcoming Schedule & Outlook (Feb. 23 – Mar. 2)
The Blackhawks face a tough restart after their 21-day Olympic break. They immediately head out on a three-game Central Division road trip. They will need to find their legs quickly against a Nashville Predators team fighting for wild-card positioning, followed by a grueling weekend back-to-back in high altitude against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche and the Utah Mammoth.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (CT) |
| Thursday, Feb. 26 | @ Nashville Predators | Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN) | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Feb. 28 | @ Colorado Avalanche | Ball Arena (Denver, CO) | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday, Mar. 1 | @ Utah Mammoth | Delta Center (Salt Lake City, UT) | 3:00 PM |
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