Ben Pope

Nick Foligno returns to Blackhawks feeling thankful for 'support and love' as his daughter's recovery begins Foligno missed three games during his leave of absence to care for his 12-year-old daughter, Milana, who underwent emergency heart surgery last Thursday in Boston.

In a month filled with positive Blackhawks news, Nick Foligno's update on his daughter's health today was the best yet.

"I’m so proud of how she’s recovering, and I know she’s an inspiration to me and a lot of people."

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

Blackhawks' overtime game-planning pays off in victory over Ducks The Hawks improved to 3-2-2 with a 2-1 overtime win Sunday, demonstrating they've learned from their mistakes in less fruitful three-on-three situations earlier this month.

Just this morning, the Blackhawks talked about keys to 3-on-3 OT success: valuing possession, being smart about shot selection, executing timely line changes.

Then they followed those keys to a 2-1 OT win tonight against Anaheim.

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

Joel Quenneville, Blackhawks have 'moved on' from each other, and his quiet return Sunday proved it There was no significant acknowledgment of Quenneville as he returned to Chicago on Sunday as the Ducks' coach, even though his Hawks legacy forever will be both prominent and complicated.

Joel Quenneville's legacy with the Blackhawks will forever be complicated.

But right now, he and the Hawks have both "moved on," and it feels like the fan base has, too. His presence was an afterthought tonight.

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

Five takeaways from the Blackhawks' first six games: Improved analytics, stellar goaltending The Hawks' record could easily be better than 2-2-2 right now, which is an encouraging sign for such an inexperienced team.

The Blackhawks have outscored their opponents 15-10 at 5on5.

Analytics suggest that's unsustainable, but their 45.8% xG ratio (49.0% excluding Florida) is still way better than previous years.

That and more takeaways from the Hawks' first six games: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks rookie Ryan Greene has been impressive since making one big change Hawks coach Jeff Blashill told Greene he needed to get more engaged in puck battles, and Greene has done exactly that. He might end up back in Rockford soon, but his first six NHL games this season ha...

Ryan Greene's Oct. 5th was crazy.

“I [had] just gotten to the hotel in Rockford. I hadn’t even unpacked my car or gotten the room key yet. I got the call in the lobby I was going to Florida."

Two weeks later, he's still with the Blackhawks. New story:
chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Tyler Bertuzzi's disallowed goal weighs on Blackhawks after shootout loss to Canucks The Hawks thought they had taken a 3-2 lead with 5:12 left Friday, but they ended up losing 3-2 instead. Coach Jeff Blashill said he would challenge the play "10 out of 10" times again, but referee Ke...

Tyler Bertuzzi's disallowed goal weighed on the Blackhawks tonight, but they also rued blowing a two-goal lead in a 3-2 shootout loss to Vancouver.

"We didn’t do enough to earn the win that we should’ve gotten."

Lengthy postgame notebook: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Ryan Greene has worked on winning more puck battles. Here’s a great example from Wednesday:

Frank Nazar is evolving into a star, and that changes everything for the Blackhawks In the national discussion, the Hawks aren't being referred to as "Connor Bedard and Co." as much anymore. Now they're "Bedard, Nazar and Co."

The hockey world isn't referring to the Blackhawks as "Connor Bedard and Co." anymore.

Now they're "Bedard, Nazar and Co."

Yes, Frank Nazar is evolving into a star, and that changes everything for this team. New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks crush Blues in statement win: 'You can tell their confidence is different' The Hawks' dominant 8-3 win Wednesday on national TV marked their largest road margin of victory since November 2019.

TNT’s intermission panel ripped the Blackhawks last season. Tonight, they lauded them.

For the Hawks, this win was step #1 in terms of changing their reputation around the NHL.

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

Blackhawks getting positive returns from Andre Burakovsky, who holds the puck well The Hawks' under-the-radar acquisition of Burakovsky last summer looks like a wise gamble so far. He has three well-earned points in his first four games.

The Blackhawks gambled on Andre Burakovsky last summer. So far, it looks like a wise buy-low move.

Burakovsky's poise and patience with the puck adds a different element to this offense.

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

Blackhawks get cosmic justice, top Mammoth for first win of season The Hawks put forth their least inspiring effort Monday out of their first four games, but it translated into a long-awaited 3-1 victory anyway.

The Blackhawks earned their first win tonight despite putting forth their sloppiest and least emotional effort so far.

Perhaps it was cosmic justice after feeling robbed of positive results in the last two games.

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

Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz 'very pleased' with GM Kyle Davidson's performance so far Wirtz discussed his support for Davidson, his confidence in the Hawks' rebuild, the franchise's financial state as the NHL's salary cap rises, CHSN's carriage agreement with Comcast and more in an int...

I talked to Blackhawks chairman Danny Wirtz today about the team's rebuild, financial outlook, TV deal and more.

He's "very pleased" with Kyle Davidson's performance as GM: "Everything Kyle set out to do, he continues to deliver on."

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

If the Blackhawks can maintain this energy level, wins will eventually come The Hawks are 0-2-1 despite putting forth three scrappy, hard-working efforts. Continuing to do that in the weeks and months ahead will inevitably yield better results.

The Blackhawks have played with admirable energy, emotion and determination in their first 3 games.

If they can maintain those traits over 82 games, wins will inevitably come.

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

Undisciplined Blackhawks drop heartbreaker to Canadiens in home opener The Hawks survived 10 opponent power plays only to suffer their third consecutive close loss Saturday, allowing the winning goal with 15 seconds left.

The Blackhawks let no transgressions against them go unpunished in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Montreal tonight.

But they also paraded to the penalty box. Finding the balance between toughness and discipline needs to be a priority.

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

Four things we've learned about Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill's approach The first week of the regular season has revealed, for example, that Blashill likes to sometimes dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen — instead of the conventional 12 and six — for road games.

Every week reveals a little more about Jeff Blashill's approach to coaching the Blackhawks.

This week, I've learned about his 11F/7D inclination on the road, why he's trying to savor moments more than he did in Detroit, etc.

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

Faceoffs will likely be a struggle for Blackhawks again this season The Hawks hope new assistant coach Michael Peca's expertise helps, and rookie center Ryan Greene has shown promise at the dot. But Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, their top two centers, have a long way...

Faceoffs will likely be a struggle for the Blackhawks again this season.

Ryan Greene has shown promise, and they hope Michael Peca's coaching will help. But Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar have a long way to go at the dot.

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

Artyom Levshunov shows immaturity in Blackhawks' overtime loss to Bruins The Hawks survived an unacceptable (lack of) play by their 19-year-old Belarusian defenseman in the third period Thursday, but then lost 4-3 in the extra session.

Artyom Levshunov's immaturity was on display tonight for the Blackhawks, even If his talent was too.

"Obviously, you can never stop playing, so we’ll look at that."

Postgame story from Boston after an intense 4-3 overtime loss: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Matt Grzelcyk's new Blackhawks gig brought him home to Boston right away Grzelcyk's family has worked at TD Garden for decades, and by pure coincidence, his second game with his new team will take place in front of them Thursday.

Matt Grzelcyk will have to resist an urge to mess with TD Garden’s snow scrapers tonight.

His new Blackhawks gig has quickly brought him home to Boston's arena, where much of the staff are family and friends.

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

Blackhawks will lean on Sam Rinzel as No. 1 defenseman this season, but they leaned too much Tuesday Coach Jeff Blashill said he made a mistake letting Rinzel play more than 25 minutes in the season opener. But Rinzel is the kind of defenseman who wants to carry the load.

The Blackhawks will lean on Sam Rinzel as their #1 defenseman this season.

But they leaned too much last night in Florida. His 25:18 of ice time was excessive.

"We’ve got to dial that back. We lost those minutes a little bit."

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

Blackhawks notebook: Spencer Knight delivers stellar performance in return to Florida The former Panthers goalie saved 34 of 37 shots by his former team Tuesday, giving the Hawks a chance even in a losing effort.

One major positive for the Blackhawks tonight:

Spencer Knight was excellent in his return to Florida. His glove especially was on-point.

"It wouldn’t have been that close without him."

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

Blackhawks encounter more valleys than peaks in season-opening loss to Panthers The Hawks put forth a respectable effort in a daunting matchup Tuesday, but new coach Jeff Blashill identified plenty of learning moments in their 3-2 defeat.

Jeff Blashill has talked about trying to minimize the Blackhawks' valleys and maximize their peaks this season.

Tonight, they encountered a few more valleys than peaks.

Postgame story after a 3-2 season-opening loss in Florida: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks begin new season with genuine excitement for roller coaster ahead There are 13 players 24 or younger on the Hawks' opening roster, and that youth has brought optimism and good vibes, if not higher external expectations.

There’s a wide gap between expectations and vibes for the Blackhawks entering today's season opener.

Outsiders expect them to be the NHL's worst team. But inside the locker room, there's a fresh energy.

"Now we’re in the fun years."

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

Breaking down Blackhawks' forward lines, defense pairings for season opener at Panthers Coach Jeff Blashill kept the Hawks' lines steady throughout training camp, but injuries to Landon Slaggert and Alex Vlasic have necessitated a few short-term shuffles entering the regular season.

So far, Jeff Blashill has avoided one of Luke Richardson’s fatal errors: mixing lines too much.

Aside from two injury-necessitated shuffles, the Hawks will deploy the same lines tomorrow that they practiced throughout camp.

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

Four takeaways from Blackhawks preseason: Matt Grzelcyk gets contract, Frank Nazar drives offense Grzelcyk, a training-camp tryout, signed a one-year contract to stick around for the Hawks' regular season, per reports. That happened largely because the young defensemen he was competing against str...

Takeaways from the Blackhawks' preseason:
🔹Matt Grzelcyk got a contract because other young D struggled
🔹Frank Nazar can drive offense
🔹Penalty kill needs a grace period

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

2025-26 NHL predictions: Connor Bedard and rest of 2023 draft class still waiting for team success None of Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, Will Smith and Matvei Michkov — the top prospects in that loaded class — have tasted the playoffs yet, and they all face uphill climbs to do so this season...

The 2023 draft class — Bedard, Carlsson, Fantilli, Smith, Michkov — is turning out to be as good as expected.

But will any of them finally experience team success in 2025-26? That's one story I'll be following.

My 2025-26 NHL season preview:
chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Breaking down the Blackhawks' power-play strategy: Sam Rinzel, Frank Nazar add new elements Rinzel (as the quarterback) and Nazar (in the bumper) are adjusting to new roles as the Hawks try to replicate their surprising — and perhaps unjustified — power-play success last season.

The Blackhawks haven’t changed too much about their 1-3-1 power play, which ranked 7th in the NHL last season.

But Frank Nazar in the bumper and Sam Rinzel as quarterback do add new elements.

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

Blackhawks show progress and flaws in regular-season dress rehearsal The Hawks' 3-2 preseason loss Friday against the Wild, for which both teams dressed full NHL lineups, offered a sneak preview of what's to come next week and beyond.

The Blackhawks weren't perfect in tonight's regular-season dress rehearsal, a 3-2 preseason loss to the Wild.

But they are encouraged about their rate of learning and growth.

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

Why Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser have become cemented Blackhawks defensive pairing Kaiser has demonstrated an ability to understand Levshunov and anticipate his erratic decisions better than anyone else on the team.

Wyatt Kaiser and Artyom Levshunov are a locked-in defensive pairing for the Blackhawks.

Their styles complement each other, and they've also become friends.

"[Wyatt] understands Arty."

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

How can the Blackhawks help Connor Bedard create more space this season? Andre Burakovsky's puck transporting might help a little bit, but it's mostly going to fall on Bedard to utilize his vision and improved speed.

Connor Bedard needs to create more space this season.

Speed, strength and especially vision will be the keys to doing so.

"It’s something that I think is probably my biggest skill, how I see the ice — especially with the puck."

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

Blackhawks' defensive roster battle tightens after Kevin Korchinski's AHL assignment It's concerning how much less notable Korchinski getting cut from the Hawks' training-camp roster was this year than last year. The news came Tuesday before a 3-1 preseason loss to the Red Wings.

The Blackhawks sent Kevin Korchinski down to Rockford, then lost 3-1 to the Red Wings in their third preseason game today.

Notebook analyzing both of those things: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...