Can the Blackhawks get back into the playoffs in 2026-27?
Is success in the Windy City coming sooner than later?
The Chicago Blackhawks failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight season, and are a favorite to win the NHL Draft Lottery once again. It’s a far cry from where the team was in the first couple of months of the year, where the Blackhawks seemed to be turning a corner. Connor Bedard performed at a high rate after a rough sophomore slump, they had notable veterans contributing, and Spencer Knight playing solid minutes in goal.
Yet, reality set in. After Bedard suffered a shoulder injury, Chicago went into a downturn, slipping back to where they have been for the past several years. That said, there’s some hope that the team can put it together for the 2026-27 campaign.
On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Carter Hutton discusses the probability that the Blackhawks make it to the playoffs next year.
Carter Hutton: I’m going to give this 30% because I still think the Central Division is going to be good next year. I think Winnipeg’s probably back in the mix, and I don’t know if they’re totally ready yet. I look for them to be a cusp team. I look for them fighting to try to play in a way of a Wild Card spot. But with Utah’s emergence and still with Minnesota’s not really going to drop off, Colorado’s still going to be good. There’s Dallas. There’s so many teams in the Central.
I feel like it’s just a little too early and too star-studded, but they have their goalie, right? I think Spencer Knight is going to be a big piece of this team. He’s still really young. Now it’ll be interesting to see who they go and get in free agency. I thought Tyler Bertuzzi was awesome this year as well. Now, can Bedard, can these younger stars start to groom? Like, is Alex Tuch a name that maybe he gets in free agency because they can overpay a little bit and add some scoring up front or they need a little security on the back end? I just don’t think they’re ready yet to make that jump in that Central Division.
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…