Will the Blackhawks hit the 90-point mark this season?

It’s been many years since the Chicago Blackhawks were a competitive team in the NHL, but the franchise is hoping the 2026-27 campaign is a step in the right direction after an offseason that saw them acquire Bowen Byram, re-acquire Patrick Kane and extend Connor Bedard to a long-term contract.

But with Bedard still out of the lineup after offseason shoulder surgery, the team will need to generate offense without their top player in order to keep their heads above water in a very competitive division.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss the Blackhawks and who may be the X-factor in their quest to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Even with their opening night loss, the key for the Blackhawks is going to be surviving this stretch without Connor Bedard. I’m not going to predict that they’re a playoff team, but I’m going to predict they get to the 90-point mark this year.

Do you think that’s true or false: the Hawks will crack 90 points this year?

Carter Hutton: I think true. I think they’re ready to take a step forward. Just like we touched on with some of these players who are younger and getting more of an opportunity, I think they’re ready. My factor is Spencer Knight: he’s such a consistant goalie, he’s ready to be a name in the league, so I put them in that window.

I just don’t think in the Central, they’re a team that’s ready to be in the playoffs. I like the Utah Mammoth more. I like Anders Lee and Vincent Trocheck being injected into that Utah lineup. I think that maturity and experience is going to add a ton of strength and skill.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…