Chicago Blackhawks: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Chicago Add Depth to Blue Line, Sign Ian Cole to 1-Year Deal

The Chicago Blackhawks kicked off July 1 with a Bowen Byram extension and a Cole Smith signing. Following that, the Blackhawks beefed up their blue line depth, signing veteran journeyman Ian Cole to a one-year contract.

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Blackhawks Offseason: 3 Moves Chicago Must Make Before Training Camp

After trading the fourth pick in the NHL draft and selecting five players, the Chicago Blackhawks headed to free agency with work still to be done to compete in the Central Division.

NHL News / ESPN / July 1

Lightning, Mikheyev, 31, agree on four-year deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran Ilya Mikheyev, 31, away from the Chicago Blackhawks, adding a tenacious player to their forward depth with a four-year deal that carries an average annual value of $3.85 million against the salary cap.

Ian Cole News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 1

Blackhawks Sign Ian Cole To A One-Year Deal

According to Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed defenseman Ian Cole to a one-year, $4.75MM contract. The deal brings in a veteran, two-time Stanley Cup champion to Chicago’s blue line as the rebuilding Blackhawks continue adding experience around their young core.

Gavin Mckenna News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

In the history of the NHL Draft, 64 players have been selected No. 1 overall. How many of the can you name in eight minutes?

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Cole Smith News / On Tap Sports Net / July 1

Chicago Blackhawks Sign Forward Cole Smith to 3-Year Deal

One of the first signings of free agency comes via the Chicago Blackhawks. After names like Mason Marchment and others seem to be falling off the board, the Blackhawks added a depth forward in the form of Cole Smith.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Bowen Byram News / NHL Trade Talk / July 1

Blackhawks Sign Bowen Byram to Huge Extension, Other Chicago Free Agency Buzz

The Chicago Blackhawks are signing defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year extension, with a $12.5 M AAV per season. Darren Dreger was the first to break the news, which has been supported by several other insiders.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 1

Blackhawks Finalizing Extension With Bowen Byram

Given that the Chicago Blackhawks parted with the fourth and 45th overall picks of the 2026 NHL Draft, along with defenseman Louis Crevier, it immediately became a priority to sign Bowen Byram to a long-term extension as soon as they could.

Chicago Blackhawks News / The Hockey Writers / June 30

Blackhawks 2026 Development Camp: Checking in on the 2025 Draft Class

The Chicago Blackhawks held Day 2 of their 2026 Development Camp on Tuesday, Jun. 30. The first day of camp was comprised of welcome meetings, medicals and physical testing; plus the media met the 2026 draft class in person.

Bowen Byram News / On Tap Sports Net / June 30

Bowen Byram’s Bag: Predicting His New Blackhawks Extension

With the new league year beginning on Wedensday, the Chicago Blackhawks have one guarantee on July 1. That guarantee is signing newly-acquired defenseman Bowen Byram to an expectedly massive contract extension.

Chicago Blackhawks News / The Hockey Writers / June 29

Takeaways from Day 1 2026 Blackhawks Development Camp

The Chicago Blackhawks held Day 1 of their development camp, which runs from June 29 through July 2. 19 prospects are in attendance, and they are bringing back on-ice activities after being all off-ice for the last three years.

Chicago Blackhawks News / On Tap Sports Net / June 29

No Surprise: Blackhawks Give Out 4 Qualifying Offers

The Chicago Blackhawks are taking care of internal business prior to free agency, and frankly it comes with little surprise. With restricted free agent qualifying offers due, the Blackhawks have given out qualifying offers to Connor Bedard, Ethan Del Mastro, Kevin Korchinski, and Drew Commesso.

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Ilya Mikheyev News / On Tap Sports Net / June 29

Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Ilya Mikheyev

Perhaps one of the most under appreciated Chicago Blackhawks, Ilya Mikheyev is due for a huge payday outside of Chicago. Per reports, Mikheyev is hitting the free agency market on Wednesday, July 1 and should get a huge payday given the strength of this year’s class.

Chicago Blackhawks News / On Tap Sports Net / June 29

Blackhawks Development Camp is Here: Names to Watch This Week

The Chicago Blackhawks kick off their annual development camp, hosting some of their young players for the week. The last few seasons, the development camp has been completely off ice, focusing on things like weightlifting, team bonding, and nutrition.

Chicago Blackhawks News / The Hockey Writers / June 27

Meet the Blackhawks 2026 Draft Class: Reaction & Analysis

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is officially in the books. For the Chicago Blackhawks, we already know they gave up their No. 4 and No. 45 picks in the blockbuster trade for Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway, leaving them with six selections in all.

Ryan Donato News / On Tap Sports Net / June 27

Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Ryan Donato

The Chicago Blackhawks inked Ryan Donato before last season to a notable contract. Although he did not replicate his career-high, 62-point season, he was able to bring some real value in the bottom six.

Chicago Blackhawks News / On Tap Sports Net / June 27

Chicago Blackhawks Select William Söbrand with the 200th Pick in the NHL Draft

With the 200th pick, the Chicago Blackhawks picked up a very volatile player, at least when it comes to his rankings. William Söbrand has been ranked everywhere from 105 to 240 by different services.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Daily Faceoff / June 27

Blackhawks select Ryan Roobroeck No. 35 overall at the 2026 NHL Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks have selected center Ryan Roobroeck with the No. 35 overall selection of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks traded up to acquire Roobreck, giving the No.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Daily Faceoff / June 27

Blackhawks select Xavier Villeneuve No. 34 overall at the 2026 NHL Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks have selected defenseman Xavier Villeneuve with the No. 34 overall selection of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Villeneuve was projected to be selected around 24th overall on average across all of the main draft rankings, going as high as 5th and as low as 65th.

Andre Burakovsky News / Daily Faceoff / June 26

Senators acquire Burakovsky from Blackhawks for draft pick

The Ottawa Senators have acquired veteran winger Andre Burakovsky from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, the club announced Friday afternoon.

Chicago Blackhawks News / NHL Trade Talk / June 24

Bedard on Board: Blackhawks Get Great News Following Bowen Byram Trade

Bowen Byram spoke to the Chicago Blackhawks media on Wednesday, and his comments were music to the ears of Blackhawks fans who looked at Tuesday’s trade and realized the organization gave up a lot to acquire a defenseman who wasn’t signed long-term.

Chicago Blackhawks News / The Lead / June 24

How Can the Chicago Blackhawks Improve This Offseason?

This offseason, the Chicago Blackhawks need to make moves to ensure a winning season for the young rebuilding team. The big question surrounding the Hawks this offseason is not, “Will they do something?” but rather, “How aggressive will Kyle Davidson be?” The Blackhawks currently have one of the highest-rated prospect pools in the NHL.

Bowen Byram News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 24

Chicago Blackhawks acquire Bowen Byram in another blockbuster NHL trade

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram has been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ottawa Senators find Brady Tkachuk replacement with trade for William Eklund

Calgary Flames acquire Simon Nemec in blockbuster trade

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Connor Bedard News / NHL Trade Talk / June 23

Blackhawks May See Trade With Maple Leafs as Secret to Extending Bedard

According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, the Chicago Blackhawks remain keyed on a possible trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Matthew Knies. Previously interested at the trade deadline, talks calmed down.

Chicago Blackhawks News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 22

Blackhawks rumors: Connor Bedard contract extension update won’t please fans

The Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard are working towards a new contract. There have been reports that the restricted free agent, Bedard, and the Blackhawks were working closer to a deal.

Chicago Blackhawks News / ChiCitySports / June 22

Blackhawks linked to trade for Stanley Cup-winning defenseman

The Chicago Blackhawks should be one of the more active teams in the NHL this offseason. They have a fair amount of cap space, they’re loaded with draft capital and it’s clear that they need to start putting together a legitimate contender around Connor Bedard.

Connor Bedard News / ChiCitySports / June 21

Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard ‘not close’ to signing contract extension: Report

During the exit meetings for the Chicago Blackhawks on April 16, Connor Bedard was hopeful that he would sign a contract extension by May. “I know I want to be here, and we’ll get it done soon,” Bedard said.