A year ago, there was significant hype building around 2022 first-round pick Sam Rinzel. After his first full NHL season, it's a much different story. What's transpired and the road ahead are detailed here:

Before the season, 81 NHL games from Ryan Greene might've felt like an overestimate. It's a different story now, and we looked into where Greene's NHL future likely resides by analyzing what he did this season:

While listening to today's 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman reports that the Blackhawks have made Ilya Mikheyev's negotiation rights available because they appear unable to reach an agreement.

Frank Nazar was better this season but a combination of factors -- some of his own making, some not -- mean there's still plenty of untapped potential here.

I'm thrilled with the Kantserov signing, but there's one other great nugget, as flagged by @davemelton.bsky.social back in March: they got him for nothing! Literally. For taking on the Zaitsev contract they got a 2nd & a 4th. They used the 2nd on Kantserov. www.secondcityhockey.com/the-blackhaw...

Here's a post on the big Blackhawks prospect news of the day:

It's official.

The offseason deep dives will continue until morale improves. Here's Wyatt Kaiser, who had some excellent stretches of play and others that were not-so-excellent.

The Blackhawks may have a new power-play option signing with the team this week. @scotttkennedy.bsky.social looked into Chicago's power-play evolutions this season and how Kantserov's skill set could make for an excellent fit.

One Blackhawks prospect who's already here and another who appears on his way soon highlight are final check-in on the Blackhawks' European prospects this season:

We already talked about his D partner this week, so here's a deep dive on Louis Crevier's 2025-26 season.

Roman Kantserov confirmed to @scottpowers.bsky.social that he has officially terminated his KHL contract, opening the door for him to join the Blackhawks: Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

Since the Hawks slipped to No. 4 in the draft, you may have considered the thought of trading that pick for established NHL talent. Other teams have had similar thoughts. Here's how that worked out for them:

He'll be 25 next month, which makes him the old man among Chicago's blue-liners. But what's the best long-term role for Alex Vlasic based on what he's displayed in his three full NHL seasons?

From last March, but re-read this piece from @100degreehockey.bsky.social today that took a deeper look at AHL travel and how the end of Southwest's "bags fly free" policy put a hurt on AHL travel budgets. www.100degreehockey.com/2025/03/the-...

Congratulations to the D̶a̶l̶l̶a̶s̶ ̶S̶t̶a̶r̶s̶ Edmonton Oilers & their Captain J̶a̶i̶m̶e̶ ̶B̶e̶n̶n̶ Connor McDavid, who accomplished their goal of not losing in the C̶o̶n̶f̶e̶r̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ Stanley Cup Finals again this year

We saw a few months of the superstar version of Bedard early this season. How do the Hawks unlock that version of him for an entire season? We looked into that:

Don't say we didn't warn you!

Back to our deep dives on the #Blackhawks 2025-26 season and today we're looking into the roller-coaster ride experienced by the No. 2 pick from the 2024 NHL Draft:

Mornin'! We're still recapping things from the 2025-26 #Blackhawks season and that includes the prospects:

There are some "young" teams making noise during this first round of the playoffs. The Blackhawks have a "young" team as well. So what's the difference?

Tyler Bertuzzi led the Hawks in goals this season with a career-high 32. Is he going to be able to do anything like that again? We attempted to answer that.

Looked at some of the teams that used to be by the Hawks in the standings and how they progressed to being in or near the playoffs now.

Were the Blackhawks good this season? No! Did our Numbers Munchers article recapping the season uncover any unexpected positive signs? Also no!

Had these thoughts in my head for a few months and needed to get them out or lose 'em forever. It's about the different experiences of fans and media and how we're trying to navigate the overlap between them as we move along at @secondcityhockey.bsky.social.

April is for brackets, too. Join our playoff bracket league!

A final update has been added to the top of this post with comments from GM Kyle Davidson.

The GM is here.

Whoooooooooooooooole bunch of updates in this article if you want to catch up on the day. GM Kyle Davidson is the final one to speak and should be here "soon"

Spencer Knight: "It's always going to get harder so I think I'm always just preparing for more, but it does feel nice knowing that I have a little more experience in that department."

Blashill's turn. "We took more steps in the right direction than wrong."

Korch is up. Used the words "prove I belong" in reference to his hockey future.

Nazar just spoke, and Bedard's up now. Said he didn't give much thought to his contract situation during the season.

Oliver Moore speaking now, with the Minnesota native clearly recognizing which team has risen to supremacy in the NFC North.

The Blackhawks are having their final media availability of the season today. Follow along with our live blog here!

RECAP: The Blackhawks didn't win a ton of games this season but they did win the last one.

A final Victoryhausen from the 2025-26 season. Go Hawks.

Well, they could've folded up the tent after going down 2-0 but they didn't. So that's nice. May not mean much in the long run but it was good enough for one night.

Good for Lardis, but a Crevier hat trick into an empty net would've been a perfectly ridiculous way to end the season.

And we're on Louis Crevier hat trick watch, just like we all expected!

Del Mastro will want to burn most of tonight's game tape but that was a nifty little pass there

The near faceoff dot on the left end of the ice (as you're seeing it on your TV) might be cursed. That's at least the third wide open net that's been missed from it.

Same.

Feels like people tend to turn into the last Blackhawks game of the season just because it's the last game. May not be a great sample but based on the ol' timeline this evening, seems like the only people watching are the ones who are here.

Twenty minutes left in the season. Might as well give us a finish.

Still counts!

A massive eruption from the UC crowd as Mikheyev gets the Hawks' first shot on goal 16 minutes into the first period. Biggest one of the night!

Over 11 minutes in -- including a power play -- and this team doesn't have a shot on goal. By Hawks math, everyone on the ice just got a 3-year deal!

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd it begins