Blackhawks’ Oliver Moore Out Multiple Weeks

The Blackhawks will be without center Oliver Moore for at least a “couple of weeks” due to an undisclosed injury, head coach Jeff Blashill said last night (via Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation). Chicago only has 12 healthy forwards without him, but with just six minor-league forwards under NHL contract, they’ll be mindful of recalling anyone unless they absolutely have to, so as not to decimate AHL Rockford’s roster.

Moore, 21, hadn’t missed a game since his recall in November until getting tangled up with Stars forward Colin Blackwell behind the net Sunday night. He left the game and was immediately ruled out for yesterday’s overtime loss to the Mammoth, which wasn’t a good sign for his long-term availability. With just over five weeks left in the regular season, there appears to be a chance this is season-ending for Moore.

It’s been a good rookie season from Moore, who’s stuck mostly on the wing in a middle-six role but has seen some time at center, too. The 19th overall pick in the 2023 draft signed out of the University of Minnesota last spring and began his NHL career with four assists in nine games with the Hawks to close out the schedule. He didn’t make the opening night roster in the fall, but after lighting up Rockford with nine points and a +8 rating in nine games, Chicago recalled him less than a month into the schedule.

Moore’s skating and two-way acumen, not necessarily his production ceiling, were what got him drafted that high. Mission accomplished on the former. Moore ranks in the 83rd percentile or higher in the four skating speed stats tracked by NHL EDGE, and especially excelled with 131 bursts between 20 and 22 miles per hour, sitting in the 91st percentile there.

If it’s the end of the road for him in 2025-26, he ends his rookie year with a 5-14–19 scoring line in 51 games with a -15 rating. That’s not awful production for a first-year player by any means, and it’s good for 10th in scoring on a Chicago team with a bottom-10 offense. His possession impacts didn’t blow anyone out of the water, but were certainly fine in a tough environment in the Windy City. His 47.1% Corsi share ranks sixth among Blackhawks forwards, and his 48.0% expected goals share ranks second at 5-on-5 (min. 50 minutes), per Natural Stat Trick.

The Blackhawks would have loved to see more of Moore down the stretch. They’ll lose him, but should see the addition of at least one first-round pick on offense in the coming days. 2024 #18 pick Sacha Boisvert will be joining the team after his sophomore season with Boston University ends, which could be as soon as tomorrow if they’re upset by last-place Vermont in the first round of the Hockey East tournament. Last year’s third overall selection, Anton Frondell, is also expected to be recalled from his loan to Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League when his season ends. The SHL’s regular season ends this weekend, but Djurgården has all but booked a spot in the play-in round.