Ben Pope

Blackhawks trade Connor Murphy to Oilers, ending his nine-year run in Chicago Murphy now has a good chance to compete in the playoffs for the first time, while the Hawks should be pleased with the return of a second-round draft pick.

Breaking down the Blackhawks' first trade of deadline week, sending Connor Murphy to the Oilers for a 2028 second-round pick: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' Andre Burakovsky thankful for Jeff Blashill's trust as he searches for confidence Blashill continues to believe in Burakovsky and keep him cemented on the first line, but Burakovsky's belief in himself has wavered more amid a long slump.

Jeff Blashill clearly believes in Andre Burakovsky.

But Burakovsky's belief in himself has been shaken by an ongoing slump.

"You start doubting yourself a little bit and confidence is going down and it becomes harder to play."

New Blackhawks story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks stifle Mammoth with 'flawless' execution of new defensive systems The Hawks' defensive growth during their road trip helped backup goalie Arvid Soderblom earn his first career shutout in a 4-0 win Sunday.

The Blackhawks have worked on ironing out kinks in their new defensive coverage and breakout systems during this road trip.

In a 4-0 shutout win in Utah today, it all clicked. Their execution was perfect, and so were their results.

Postgame story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks starving for offense from players other than Connor Bedard: 'We've got to help him' Bedard scored the Hawks' lone goal in a 3-1 loss Saturday against the Avalanche, getting little help from his teammates.

Connor Bedard has generated tons of offense in the Blackhawks' first two games out of the break.

His teammates have not.

"We’ve got to help him. [It] can’t just be on Connor. He’s doing his job."

Postgame story after a 3-1 loss to the Avalanche: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Frank Nazar, rest of Blackhawks youngsters have things to prove during stretch run While Nazar hopes to replicate the Hawks' encouraging finish to last season, Ryan Greene hopes to show he should stay on Connor Bedard's wing beyond this season — and the list goes on down the lineup.

Remember how the Blackhawks' strong finish to last season created so much optimism?

Frank Nazar does, and he wants to replicate it.

"What I’m focusing on right now is to...take steps forward, as a group, to become a great hockey team."

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Connor Bedard's fire not enough to carry Blackhawks in loss to Predators The Hawks let a third-period lead slip away in a 4-2 loss Thursday, even though their best player brought his best game right away out of the break.

I have to imagine watching Team Canada while sitting around idly lit a fire under Connor Bedard.

He looked ignited tonight, too. His Blackhawks teammates, however, did not.

Postgame story from Nashville after a 4-2 loss: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' Connor Murphy feeling allure of playoffs as trade deadline nears After 12-plus NHL seasons without a real playoff run, Murphy can't resist getting excited about the possibility of being traded to a playoff team this season, even though he always dreamed of achievin...

As the trade deadline nears, Connor Murphy is conflicted.

"I would like to be here. I would like to also play in the playoffs. It's kind of mixed emotion. That’s why this time is so hard, having that feeling tearing you both ways."

New Blackhawks story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Jarring transition awaits Blackhawks' Teuvo Teravainen after bronze medal with Finland Travel issues resulting from the New York blizzard limited Teravainen's time in Chicago after the Olympics — before the start of the Hawks' four-game road trip — to less than 24 hours.

Jarring transitions await Teuvo Teravainen.

On one hand, he's going from sharing a cramped room in Olympic Village with Esa Lindell to 5-star hotels on the Blackhawks' road trip.

On the other, he's going from the Olympics to the Blackhawks.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks lines in practice today before facing Nashville tomorrow:

Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky
Moore-Nazar-Bertuzzi
Donato-Dickinson-Mikheyev
Teravainen-Foligno-Slaggert

Vlasic-Crevier
Murphy-Rinzel
Grzelcyk-Levshunov

Extras: Dach, Lafferty, Korchinski

Blackhawks prospect update: Gavin Hayes making himself relevant by emulating Zach Hyman Hayes' AHL goal-scoring in Rockford has taken off since Christmas, reopening the possibility that the 21-year-old forward could develop into a bottom-six NHL option.

Gavin Hayes is becoming relevant again within the Blackhawks' prospect pool.

Watching clips of Zach Hyman encouraged Hayes to get to the net more, and that has fueled a scoring surge for him in Rockford.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks noticing Gavin McKenna's rapid growth as 2026 NHL Draft creeps closer McKenna, a top 2026 draft prospect, has elevated his all-around game at Penn State since the World Junior Championships and now fits the Hawks' mold much better than he did before.

It sounds like the Blackhawks have noticed Gavin McKenna rapidly improving his all-around game since early January.

He's fitting their draft mold better as time goes on. The dropped felony charge against him likely won't affect his stock.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' Colton Dach hoping to earn more ice time after rejuvenating break Coach Jeff Blashill has talked to Dach about moving his feet more and achieving more consistency with things other than physicality.

Colton Dach's job security in the Blackhawks' lineup has dwindled after a promising start.

As a pending RFA, he could use a strong closing stretch.

"[I’m] trying to be trustworthy, trying to get a little more ice time."

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks trade deadline preview: Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, other veterans could be moved out The Hawks need to open roster spots for prospects graduating into the NHL, which is why they'll likely ship out a few pending free agents before the March 6 deadline.

The NHL roster freeze lifts tomorrow night, and the trade deadline is less than two weeks away.

It's that time of year.

What moves will the Blackhawks make before the deadline? Here's what I think: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Why Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight believes an illness gave him valuable experience Despite that experience, Knight enjoyed the opportunity afforded by the Olympic break to rest and recover. He is still navigating his first season as a full-time NHL starter, after all.

Spencer Knight battled through illness to start the Blackhawks' last two games before the break.

Why? For the most Knightian reason imaginable.

"I saw it as a test... Putting yourself in different situations is how you’re going to learn."

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Five storylines to follow during the final third of the Blackhawks' season Once the Hawks resume play on Feb. 26, the NHL's March 6 trade deadline will be fast approaching, and that won't be the only interesting thing going on.

Will the Blackhawks reinsert Artyom Levshunov into their lineup right away? When they do, will they return to seven defensemen? And how will he fare once they do?

Those are some of the many questions to be answered during the rest of this Blackhawks season: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks debut adjusted defensive system in first practice after Olympic break The Hawks plan to dial up the pressure of their five-on-five defense, mimicking what has worked so well for them on the penalty kill, once games resume next Thursday.

The Blackhawks returned to practice today and worked on an adjusted version of their 5v5 defensive system.

They'll mimic what has worked so well on the PK by dialing up the pressure with their strong-side winger.

New story breaking down the changes: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' Teuvo Teravainen anticipates 'very high-level' hockey at Olympics While the rest of the Hawks rest, Teravainen will compete for a gold medal with Finland this month.

The Blackhawks believe their lack of Olympians could turn into an advantage, allowing their stars to rest for three weeks.

But Teuvo Teravainen, their lone representative, is looking forward to "very high-level" hockey in Milan.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks look resigned to defeat, get exactly that against Blue Jackets The Hawks put up little fight in a 4-0 loss Wednesday, their last game before a three-week Olympic break. Wyatt Kaiser's injury added to the bad news.

The Blackhawks looked resigned to defeat tonight.

They got exactly that in a 4-0 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Wyatt Kaiser's injury added to the bad news.

Postgame story from Columbus: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks rookie Sam Rinzel learning how to use brainpower to overcome lack of physical power Rinzel needs several years to build up to peak weight and strength. In the meantime, the Hawks are teaching him to use his stick and positioning to steer opponents in the direction he wants.

Sam Rinzel will need years to build up his weight.

In the meantime, the Blackhawks are teaching him how to use his brainpower to overcome his lack of physical power.

"I want to steer [opponents] in the direction I want them to go in."

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/03/b...

Ryan Donato's long-awaited offensive eruption pushes Blackhawks past Sharks The Hawks snapped their five-game winning streak with a 6-3 win Monday, and Donato racked up four points — including a highlight-reel goal in the second period.

The Blackhawks have been starving for offense.

One of their hungriest players — Ryan Donato — finally got to eat tonight, exploding for four points in a 6-3 win over the Sharks.

Postgame notebook: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks could have two top-16 picks in 2026 NHL Draft if Panthers don't make late run The extra first-round pick the Hawks acquired in the Seth Jones trade is looking more and more valuable with the Panthers sitting eight points out of a playoff spot.

If the NHL season ended today, the Blackhawks would own two top-16 picks in the draft.

The Panthers' pick they own is looking better and better with Florida sitting 8 points out of a playoff spot.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

For Blackhawks' struggling power play, more practice isn't necessarily a solution The Hawks have gone 10 consecutive games without a power-play goal, and even though they've made some adjustments during that time, their NHL-best penalty kill makes those adjustments difficult to reh...

The Blackhawks' struggling power play needs to rehearse adjustments, but practicing against the NHL's best penalty kill can make that difficult.

"You’re always trying to debate if you [should] almost use a mock penalty kill."

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks, Sharks' rebuilds starting to diverge as Sharks pick up pace, Hawks stay patient The Sharks' step forward this season has been bigger than the Hawks, but that's only because of one likely unsustainable trend. Now, Sharks GM Mike Grier is switching to "buyer" mode ahead of Connor B...

The Blackhawks and Sharks' rebuilds are starting to diverge.

Mike Grier has shifted into "buyer" mode, ready to sacrifice future assets for the present. Kyle Davidson definitely has not.

New story comparing where the two organizations stand: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Connor Bedard tallies two points, rues missed shot in Blackhawks' loss to Blue Jackets The Hawks' power-play drought extended to 26 consecutive failed opportunities in a 4-2 defeat Friday, their fifth straight.

Connor Bedard recorded his first multi-point game in several weeks tonight, but the only thing he was thinking about afterward was a missed shot late in the third period.

Postgame story on the Blackhawks' 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Artyom Levshunov out of Blackhawks' lineup while coaches work to reset 'foundational' skills The rookie defensemen began a program of individual practice sessions Friday after his recent downturn hit rock bottom Thursday.

The Blackhawks began a new approach to developing Artyom Levshunov today.

He's out of the lineup for the time being. Meanwhile, the coaching staff will individually work with him on resetting three specific "foundational" skills.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Artyom Levshunov hits 'low end of roller coaster' in Blackhawks' hideous loss to Penguins Levshunov and partner Wyatt Kaiser's shifts Thursday were filled with inexcusable mistakes and poor decisions, and the Penguins scored five times against them in a 6-2 drubbing.

The Blackhawks have had some excusable losses this season, but tonight was not one.

They were mentally disengaged, then gave up. It was bad.

"We didn’t show enough response there, and that’s not the team we want to be."

Postgame story from Pittsburgh: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks working with Artyom Levshunov to improve his shooting velocity, deception Levshunov has overcome poor shooting technique with pure strength so far, but the Hawks believe fixing that could help him score at a higher rate.

The Blackhawks are working with Artyom Levshunov to improve his shooting velocity and deception.

It'll take time to improve his subpar mechanics, but eventually it should help his finishing.

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

As Connor Murphy's Blackhawks tenure nears its end, he still dreams about rewarding Chicago for its patience The Hawks' longest-tenured player reflected Monday on the immense turnover he has experienced, the loyalty of the fan base and the upward movement he sees now — even though he knows he won't be part o...

As Connor Murphy's nine-year Blackhawks tenure nears an end, he still dreams about rewarding Chicago for its patience.

"Even if I’m not here, I would be really happy to see success for this team and the city at any point... People deserve that."

New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks lose to Wild despite playing well enough to 'win that game 98% of the time' The Hawks have gone seven years since their last win in Minnesota, and they let a golden opportunity slip away in a 4-3 shootout loss Tuesday.

The Blackhawks really liked their play tonight, despite blowing a 3-0 lead and losing to the Wild in a shootout.

"You’re going to win that game 98% of the time. We just didn’t win it."

Postgame story from St. Paul: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

For Jason Dickinson, Blackhawks' youth is a source of joy and a reminder of his reality Dickinson realizes there's a good chance the Hawks trade him before the March 6 deadline to make room for kids graduating into the NHL. But in the meantime, he loves those kids.

Jason Dickinson realizes the Blackhawks might trade him to make room for kids graduating into the NHL.

But in the meantime, he loves those kids.

"There’s been so much good out of my time here. If it ends this year, I can look back on it fondly."

Story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...