Chicago Blackhawks: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Cole Smith can prove to be a solid depth replacement for the Blackhawks in 2026-27

Cole Smith was one of the Chicago Blackhawks biggest free agents signings because he got the most term, with a three-year, $9M deal. The Blackhawks foresee the 30 year old filling some significant voids and making himself known in a depth role.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Connor Bedard Will Face Different Pressure in Year 4

Connor Bedard faced an immense amount of pressure in the first years of his career. Not only was he selected first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, but he was also picked by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks News / NHL on ClutchPoints / August 31

Blackhawks sign final RFA to 2-year contract extension

It took until just a couple of weeks before training camp opens, but the Chicago Blackhawks have completed their final piece of offseason business, re-signing RFA defenseman Kevin Korchinski to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Saturday.

Patrick Kane News / Blackhawk Up / August 31

How Patrick Kane can help, & hurt, the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks made some big additions this offseason, in an effort to ice an improved and more well-rounded squad. Their biggest addition on defense was obviously Bowen Byram.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / August 31

Cale Makar’s Extension Puts Bowen Byram Contract Into Perspective

The Chicago Blackhawks paid a hefty price for Bowen Byram in both assets and dollars. Kyle Davidson dealt the fourth overall pick and Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres, and on July 1, the first day the Blackhawks were allowed to sign him to an extension, they did.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 31

Blackhawks Number History, 91-98

We’ve made it to the final post of our Blackhawks Number History series. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. With 100 years of hockey under its belt, this franchise has so many names to mention.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 30

Arvid Söderblom will look to secure Blackhawks backup goalie spot in 2026-27

Arvid Söderblom has been the Chicago Blackhawks' full-time backup goaltender for the past three seasons. But next season will test him more. There is a bit of a goalie logjam behind No.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 30

Chicago's biggest 'what if': How the Blackhawks could have looked with Ivan Demidov

What if the Chicago Blackhawks selected Ivan Demidov with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft? Would Chicago have reached the playoffs and been one of the scariest offensive units in the league?

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 30

Blackhawks Number History, 81-90

We’ve reached the penultimate post in our journey through Chicago Blackhawks numbers history. With 100 years of hockey under its belt, this franchise has so many names to mention.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 30

Blackhawks' Korchinski signs, Byram jumping right in & can Slaggert make a case for himself?

Only five more Sundays before the Chicago Blackhawks officially drop the puck for the start of the 2026-27 campaign! It seems like offseason has been going on forever, but we're getting closer every day.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / August 29

Blackhawks re-sign Kevin Korchinski to two-year contract

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms on a new two-year contract with restricted free agent defenseman Kevin Korchinski, the club announced Saturday afternoon.

Cale Makar signs record-setting extension with Avalanche

Will Auston Matthews find a second gear later in his career?

Connor Hellebuyck makes his trade request from Jets official

Potential trade destinations for Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck would approve a trade to multiple teams

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Last 3-HR game by MLB team' quiz

The 'FBS college football nicknames' quiz

The '10-time Pro Bowlers' quiz

The 'Most TD passes in first two seasons' quiz

Kevin Korchinski News / Pro Hockey Rumors / August 29

Blackhawks Sign Kevin Korchinski To Two-Year Deal

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed their last restricted free agent of the offseason. According to a team announcement, the Blackhawks have signed defenseman Kevin Korchinski to a two-year, $2.65MM ($1.325MM AAV) contract.

Landon Slaggert News / Blackhawk Up / August 29

How Landon Slaggert can force more minutes on the Blackhawks in 2026-27

Landon Slaggert's 2025-26 season was about making up for lost time because he had to miss the start of the season due to a lower-body injury and had to almost re-establish himself in the Chicago Blackhawks lineup.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Daily Faceoff / August 29

Do the Blackhawks have too many good prospects?

The Chicago Blackhawks might be a team on the rise, but if they want to get over the hump, they might need to do something about the large number of young players in their ranks.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 29

Blackhawks Number History, 71-80

We’re continuing our journey through Chicago Blackhawks numbers history. With 100 years of hockey under its belt, this franchise has so many names to mention.

Bowen Byram News / The Hockey Writers / August 29

Realistic Expectations for Blackhawks’ Bowen Byram in 2026-27

Chicago Blackhawks general manager (GM) Kyle Davidson made the biggest move of his career this offseason, trading for Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 28

How Patrick Kane's Chicago return could leapfrog Nick Lardis to the next level

When the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Nick Lardis in the third round of the NHL draft three years ago, he was known as a guy who could score goals from any angle, anywhere on the ice, at any time he pleased.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Blackhawk Up / August 28

Blackhawks Number History, 61-70

We’re continuing our journey through Chicago Blackhawks numbers history. With 100 years of hockey under its belt, this franchise has so many names to mention.

Frank Nazar News / Blackhawk Up / August 28

What will factor into Frank Nazar having a breakout 2026-27?

Last season felt concrete for Frank Nazar. After signing a seven-year contract extension last summer, 2025-26 was thought to be a potential breakout season.

Chicago Blackhawks News / Daily Faceoff / August 26

2026-27 NHL team preview: Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks’ marketing team probably wished the club’s centennial season wasn’t a total crapshoot. In early April, the Hawks were eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season, with the team finishing second last in the Western Conference with 72 points.

Patrick Kane News / The Lead / August 21

Expectations for Patrick Kane’s Return to Chicago Are Too High

It’s showtime again in Chicago. Patrick Kane is back where it all began, signing a 2-year contract to likely finish his career as a Blackhawk. Reactions were mixed, but most Blackhawks fans were thrilled to see him back where he belongs.

Chicago Blackhawks News / NHL Rumors / August 17

2026-27 Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks enter the 2026–27 season with a reshaped roster after a busy offseason that saw them bring back Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane, lock up their franchise cornerstone, and make a splashy trade for a top-pairing defenseman.

Chicago Blackhawks News / NHL Rumors / August 29

2026-27 Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview

Chicago Blackhawks News / NHL on ClutchPoints / August 16

Blackhawks’ glaring roster flaw that must be fixed before 2026-27 NHL season

Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks showed some promise during the 2025-26 campaign. Chicago did not make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026. And for the most part, they didn’t truly contend for a postseason spot either.

NHL News / Yardbarker / July 29

Patrick Kane's Blackhawks return must be more than a homecoming story

Patrick Kane is back where his NHL career began, and nobody needs to pretend the reunion is anything short of fascinating.

Five surprising NHL stats that probably can't be replicated next season

The Torch: Naming the best player for every year in NHL history

The 'American-born NHL points leaders' quiz

Chicago Blackhawks News / Yardbarker / July 18

Blackhawks' Connor Bedard extension is a win-win deal

The Chicago Blackhawks extension of forward Connor Bedard has made him the third-highest paid player in NHL and the resigning of Bedard benefits both sides.

Chicago Blackhawks have immediate worry after Connor Bedard’s extension news

Analyzing Connor Bedard's contract extension with Blackhawks

Blackhawks sign Connor Bedard to 5-year, $75M extension

The 'Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks' quiz