Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Andre Burakovsky

In his first season with Chicago, Burakovsky started the season off hot. Playing alongside Connor Bedard on his torrid pace early on, the veteran winger wracked up a healthy scoresheet. Burakovsky tallied 29 points (10 goals and 19 assists) in 38 games, missing a few random games early with injuries.

Then, after Jan. 7 against the St. Louis Blues, something shifted. Of the remaining 37 games Burakovsky suited up for, he tallied just four points (one goal, three assists). Burakovsky was still playing with Bedard when he was healthy, but was incredibly snakebitten. He once looked like a promising addition, then the second half was something completely different. He finished the season with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), good for sixth on the roster in scoring.

Now? Fans are hoping the Blackhawks buy out Burakovsky. His 29 points in 38 games put him on a 63-point pace over 82 games. Even at a 75-game pace, which is the actual number of games he played, that’s still a 57-point pace. That total would have been his best since 2021-22 when he posted 61 points with the Colorado Avalanche. There isn’t much that hints at the reason for the slump, but it sure is damming when looking at the numbers.

Player Grades

Blackhawks Cowboy’s Grade: D

To call it a tale of two seasons for Andre Burakovsky would be an understatement. On one hand its the pre-concussion season. A very solid seven goals and eight assists in 18 games. However, when he came back, he didn’t look the same, and when February rolled around, things got dire. Despite playing on the first line in the final 37 games, Andre Burakovsky had a pathetic four points while playing with Connor Bedard. His play tanked not only his season but Bedard’s second half as well. For the combination of these two eras, we get a D for Andre.

Tony Marchese’s Grade: C-

I’ll probably grade Andre Burakovsky a bit higher than the rest of the crew here at Four Feathers, but I am still going to give him a below-average C-. No, he wasn’t an ideal first-line pair for Bedard; his -32 +/- looks atrocious, and he did become the de facto fall guy for the Blackhawks’ offensive woes. However, he handled the slumps in his game with class and provided some additional veteran support after the entire leadership team was shipped out at the deadline. Not the best year by any means.

Ron Luce’s Grade: D+

This one makes me sad, and not because Andre Burakovsky was bad or anything. I liked the addition when it happened. Burakobsky’s best seaons came when playing in the top six with really good talent. He played with Connor Bedard for most of the season. This should have worked. Sadly, it didn’t. The guys was so snake bitten in the second half this season and was brutal as a result. Now, he’s unfortunately a buyout candidate and may never wear Blackhawks colors again.

What’s On Tap Next?

Andre Burakovsky’s season started promising, but ended poorly. Whether or not he is still a member of the Blackhawks next season remains to be seen. He is very much a buyout candidate if the Blackhawks add more to their forward group.

Tell us if you agree with our grades! What would you give Andre Burakovsky? Let us know at @FourFeathersPod on X and Instagram!

Next Up: Connor Bedard