Chicago Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Ratings: Teuvo Teravainen – Hockey Writers –

I Chicago Blackhawks they finished their 2025-26 campaign in 31st place in the league, with a record of 29-39-14 and 72 points. It was an improvement over last season’s total of 25-46-11 (61 points), but the organization had progress in mind when it began this campaign. The good news is that the Blackhawks finished with more points than last season. They also feel that they have taken a good step in the growth and development of a number of young players, who can be a big part of a successful future.

In this summer series, we will give individual grades to every player on the team. Today we highlight veteran striker Teuvo Teravainen.

Teravainen’s Season Stats

14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points, 30 shutouts in 75 games played. Average time on ice (ATOI) of 17:45 minutes

46.9 Corsi For Percentage (at Even Strength) (CF%), 43 blocked shots, 21 hits, 22 takeaways, 71 giveaways, 6 penalty minutes

Contract Status: The contract runs through the 2026-27 season, for a total of $5.4 million

Season overview

Teravainen started the season in the same way he did at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, focusing on the second line alongside Frank Nazar. The two built a chemistry together,​​​​​​​​​​and it continued. They also followed very similar paths when entering the NHL, although several years apart. In the first two months of the season, Teravainen has been healthy six goals and 17 points (for 25 games).

GOAL: Oh my, Teuvo Teravainen. A smooth goal from Turbo sealed the game pic.twitter.com/tP7TwFo9Yf

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) November 16, 2025

But in early December, head coach Jeff Blashill wanted to see what the two speedsters, Nazar and Oliver Moore, would look like together. So Teravainen was moved to the third shutdown line, with Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev. In late December, he became a veteran on the third line with rookies Moore and Nick Lardis. Did these system changes, along with a strong defensive commitment, cause Teravainen’s low production until December and the start of the Olympic break (four goals and six points in the next 25 games)?

It’s hard to say. He was a little better down the stretch for the Blackhawks (four goals and 12 points in 25 other games). However, he finished the season playing mostly on the fourth line. He also had an overall plus/minus rating of minus-30, which only Andre Burakovsky and Artyom Levshunov rated lower. It was a tough end to a very poor campaign for the 31-year-old.

Note: I was able to break Teravainen’s season into three parts of exactly 25 games, so I’ve highlighted his stats in each section to make them more visible.

However, Teravainen finished fifth on the team in points, and sixth in goals and assists. His contributions on the power play were his saving grace. His seven power play goals are tied with Bedard for second on the team, and his 12 assists and 19 points both also rank second.

A consistent theme with Teravainen throughout the season was that he is an incredibly smart player. He thinks the game well, is a good distributor of the puck and is responsible defensively. It should also be noted that Teravainen was a regular contributor to the penalty kill (156:52 minutes fourth in the team). That’s why Blashill can use him anywhere in the lineup. All in all, he is a valuable asset to have.

Estimates Quoted

Coach Blashill on April 1, in response to Teravainen facing some problems with confidence.

He probably doesn’t feel it, and that happens. It happens, as we have said to every player. One thing about Teuvo is that he continues to contribute, even if he doesn’t play a big role in five-on-five. Because he is a good penalty killer and power play rebounder. So those two things he continued to do a good job at. Five to five probably doesn’t feel as good as it would like. I think the biggest thing about him is making sure he moves his feet when he gets the puck. If he does that, he’s a really smart player. It can make many good games.

I had to throw it in, as Nazar and Teravainen have played a lot together. It is a testament to the respect that Nazar has for his long-time teammate. Nazar since Mar. 9, on what it means to play with Teravainen and what he has taught him:

I think the hockey mentality is a big part. He talked about it before, but like, how smart he is and how he reads the snow. I mean, I feel like he can play forever. It doesn’t matter if he can’t swing or if he only has one leg. Like, I feel like he reads the ice so well and has such a good touch, he can play anywhere, anytime. And that’s a big thing. And learning to read from him, predicting with him, goes a long way.

Teravainen’s Final Grade: C-

A tough grade, but Teravainen didn’t seem like the same player in the second half of the last third of the season. Maybe he was dealing with permanent damage. Maybe Father Time is catching up with him (he’ll be 32 on September 11). Or maybe it was a combination of challenging deployment issues and confidence. Whatever it was, it would be beneficial for Teravainen to return next season.