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Nick Lardis, Chicago Blackhawks (Talia Sprague-Imagn Images)

Blackhawks News & Rumors: Teräväinen, Lardis & Mother’s Trip

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Brooke LoFurno | Last updated Jan 26, 2026 6:07 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks are embarking on a two-game road trip to face the Minnesota Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It has been over a month since the Blackhawks last went on a road trip that was two or more games, as they have had a long homestand in January.

A lot is happening during this trip. The team is on their mom’s trip, and there have been positive injury updates, which also mean additional roster moves. Furthermore, the Blackhawks continue to chase points in the Western Conference. Here is the latest from practice (Jan. 26).

Teräväinen Return Imminent

Teuvo Teräväinen has been dealing with an upper-body injury since Jan. 12 and has missed the last six games. But positive news is that his return is imminent. He was at practice today wearing a regular red jersey. Before, he had been wearing a gray jersey (non-contact). Now, it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility for him to return against the Wild on Jan. 27.

Head coach Jeff Blashill said about Teräväinen, “I anticipate that, but until tomorrow,
I’ll kind of reserve total judgment. But he’s definitely trending towards playing tomorrow.”

Considering the Blackhawks’ power play has been struggling, on a 0-for-17 skid in their last seven games, per Charlie Roumeliotis, they have really missed Teräväinen’s presence. Also, they have missed him in general. Power play aside, it’s no secret they’ve had struggles on offense. In their last seven games, they have had four games in which they scored only one goal (12 goals overall in that timespan).

With Teräväinen being such a strong playmaker, the veteran can help bring a boost.

Lardis Gets Sent to Rockford

As it goes in the NHL, when a player returns, one will be on the outside. The Blackhawks knew they would be in an upcoming roster jam, especially with a lot of emerging talent. And Blashill has never been a big fan of sitting young players for too long.

He talked about potentially sending players to the Rockford IceHogs on Jan. 21, saying, “You know, I think that’s a good thing, number one, to have tough roster decisions. Certainly, we are mindful of the long-term development of some of the young players. And so, you know, we’re trying to put guys in positions that they can succeed.

So if it gets to a point with a young guy that maybe [would] stop playing, you look at potentially using Rockford. But we’ll take that when it comes. We’re not there yet at all.”

On Jan. 26, the Blackhawks officially sent Nick Lardis back to Rockford. He was recalled on Dec. 13 after Connor Bedard suffered his shoulder injury, and Lardis showed great promise in 21 games, scoring five goals and adding seven points, including two points in his last three games.

On one hand, with Lardis’ offensive potential, it’s tough to see him get sent back to Rockford. On the other hand, I understand where the thought process might come from. It’s possible his role in the lineup could have been reduced, and they wouldn’t want to sit him. So, he can continue to receive long-term developmental benefits in Rockford, as Blashill mentioned. He is also going to the AHL All-Star Game with Kevin Korchinski, starting Feb. 10.

However, I do not think this will be the last we see of Lardis on the Blackhawks this season. They think highly of him.

Blashill said, “I think he’s done a good job. He’s done a solid job. I think, you know, he came in early on, probably was trying to find his way a little bit. I thought he got more confident, you know. So, I think he’s done a good job of making a first impression [on] the coaching staff, and where he’s at.”

Blackhawks Mom’s Trip

Practice at Fifth Third Arena was a special one because the players had their moms with them ahead of the moms’ trip.

I asked Alex Vlasic at practice what he was looking forward to with the trip. He replied, “I just think spending time with your mom and doing what you would normally do on like, a game day routine or on a practice routine, having your mom be there to see it and to experience it with you is pretty cool… We are super lucky. We stay in nice hotels. We get good food. So for her to be able to experience that as well is pretty special.”

everyone say hi to our Blackhawks moms pic.twitter.com/v6LslAJFNI
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 26, 2026

Blashill chimed in about the trip, “First of all, this is always a unique trip. Any time you bring guests along, and whether it’s the moms, dads, mentors, I’ve kind of done all of them, and they’re always fun. They’re always, I think, a good opportunity to just regain perspective, too, and how lucky we are to be part of the NHL, and whatever aspect that is. Whether it’s coaching, playing, staff- we’re really lucky. And I think when we get a chance to kind of share that with the guests, it’s an awesome thing. So, to have the moms here, it’s great. It should be a fun trip. And then, you know, obviously we’re going [on the trip] to win two games against good teams, and so that’ll be the normal challenge, and we’ll have similar routines, but it’s always a little bit different, probably in a good way. It kind of breaks up the monotony of the year a little bit, too.”

The Blackhawks currently sit five points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, and they have done better lately, going 2-1-1 in their last four games. But after their 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Jan. 25, they need all the points they can get.

This trip will be very meaningful for them, both personally and on the hockey side.