What a Successful 2026 Offseason Looks Like for the Chicago Blackhawks – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

With the 2026 NHL Entry Draft approaching and the first half of the NHL offseason upon us, I started thinking about what a successful season would look like for Chicago Blackhawks general manager (GM), Kyle Davidson.

The Blackhawks have not made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season and have not recorded a season with more than 80 points since the 2018-19 season. They need to make some progress with Connor Bedard’s entry-level contract, which will expire without a playoff appearance.

Here are a few things I want from Davidson to make what should be a busy season a success.

Solve Bedard’s Contract Problem

This is something that I wish would be resolved by July 1, 2025, but this is where we are now, and this is what the first order of business says. Bedard is a restricted free agent (RFA), and there haven’t been many reputable reports about contract talks between the two sides.

I know it’s early, and I may be getting ahead of myself, but they’re not going to let this delay training camp. We have seen many star players and their teams fall apart due to contract negotiations; considering the recent example of Dylan Larkin’s contract negotiations starting to damage the relationship between him and the Detroit Red Wings, the Blackhawks need to handle this situation carefully.

If they can lock Bedard up to a seven-year long-term deal, I could see the average annual value (AAV) coming in around $14 to $15 million. Average salaries are exploding, and while that number may be a little rich for some, in three or four years, that number will look more than reasonable.

While the Blackhawks should seek a long-term extension, I see Bedard preferring a short-term extension of around four to five years. As mentioned, the cap is exploding, and if he wants to increase the salary of the employee, a short-term extension is the way he will do it.

A four-year deal would bring the AAV down to around $10 million compared to the $14 million a long-term extension would cost.

Either way, this needs to be done before training camp and as smoothly as possible. With such a big season coming up, this situation cannot continue.

Add a Protector

The Blackhawks have an incredibly thin defensive core with players like Artyom Levshunov, Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, and Louis Crevier.

While I’m not asking Davidson to trade a veteran defense or sign someone like John Carlson, I would like to see them move for someone with more experience.

Buffalo Sabers defenseman Bowen Byram was recently reported to be on the market. With the amount of money the Blackhawks have left, I’d like to see Davidson put together a Byram package.

He’s obviously a flawed player, but there’s something really annoying there.

In other articles of Hockey Writers, I mean Olen Zellweger and Mario Ferraro as two other defensemen I’d like to see Chicago shoot. Zellweger is a low-danger, small puck-mover, while Ferraro is a free agent and could be a huge asset in protecting young defensemen.

They cannot enter the season in pairs as it is currently constructed. Throwing a bunch of new defensemen together and hoping they all find their game isn’t going to help anyone.

Adding a Middle-Six Forward

I have similar concerns about the forward group the Blackhawks project to freeze next season. I’m more optimistic about the young forwards than the defense, but the truth is they still need help.

I’m happy to see the Blackhawks get out the first and second line center of Bedard and Anton Frondell, but the forward group is still full of guys trying to find their way in the NHL.

Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and Ryan Donato all have good experience, but that Donato contract looks bad, and Teravainen is down 23 points from 2024-25 to the 2025-26 season. Davidson needs to strengthen this forward group to support the younger players, as well as other unsung prospects.

One of the names that has been floated is Matthew Knies, who is clearly more than just a middle six striker. The price is high for him, but he would be a great fit to back up Bedard and play throughout the program. Earlier this season, I did an article on why the Knies could be so perfect in Chicago, and the points still matter now.

Another player I would like to see the Blackhawks take a swing at is Mason Marchment. He is a free agent third-line option who fits the bill as a physical player who can drive the net, create chances, and is a good skater for his size.

The Blackhawks may also look to bring in Anthony Mantha, who I think has burned a lot of money after not playing well in the playoffs. Although his playoffs were poor, he was very effective for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the regular season, posting 33 goals and 31 assists for 64 points in 81 games. I think the team can get Mantha on a three-year deal with an AAV of around $3.5 to $4 million. He can provide scoring support all over the line and help lift the Blackhawks down.

Since the free agent market is very weak this season, the Blackhawks may need to be more active in the trade market. As the season progresses, the names should be found, and there should be a better idea of ​​the fit.

If Davidson can solve these three problems, I would be very happy. Having a fourth overall option should help a lot, but these three things are important as well.