`The Chicago Blackhawks have provided one of the NHL’s more pleasant surprises through the first quarter of the 2025-26 season. Sitting at 10-8-4 with 24 points, the Hawks find themselves in sixth place in the Central Division, which represents a dramatic turnaround from where they were at this exact point last year. In late November 2024, Chicago was limping along with a 7-12-2 record and just 16 points, leaving them buried in the Central Division basement. The difference of eight points in the standings might not sound massive, but it reflects an entirely different trajectory for a franchise that has been mired in a painful rebuild.
This time last season, the Blackhawks were already well on their way to finishing with a dismal record, earning just 61 points as covered in and finishing as one of the worst teams in the entire league. That campaign saw them go 3-8 in October and 5-7 in November, consistently getting outplayed and outshot by opponents. Their goal differential was among the worst in hockey, and there was little reason for optimism as the season dragged on. Now, the vibes around the United Center feel completely different. The Blackhawks are averaging 3.14 goals per game, ranking 10th in the NHL, compared to finishing near the bottom last season. Their defense has improved significantly too, allowing just 2.77 goals per game.
Connor Bedard has emerged as the centerpiece of everything good happening in Chicago. The 20-year-old phenom is putting together what many consider his star-making season, leading the team with 13 goals, 18 assists, and 31 points through 22 games. His plus-9 rating is a massive improvement over the minus numbers he posted while carrying a struggling roster last year. Bedard already has multiple hat tricks this season where he wore an “A” as an alternate captain for the first time in his NHL career. Last season, he finished with 67 points but dealt with a fractured jaw that sidelined him for 14 games. This year, he looks more confident and is finally getting support from the players around him.
Speaking of support, Tyler Bertuzzi has been sensational to start the 2025-26 campaign. The 30-year-old winger has potted 12 goals and added seven assists for 19 points through 19 games, making him one of the surprises of the NHL season. He struggled with consistency last year when he had stretches of seven games without a point, but this season he has been far more reliable playing alongside Bedard and the other young guns. When Bertuzzi signed his four-year deal worth 22 million dollars in July 2024, there were questions about whether he was worth the investment during a rebuild. Those concerns have quieted considerably.
Goaltending has been another revelation for Chicago. Spencer Knight has established himself as the clear number one netminder. Knight is 7-5-3 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a sparkling .924 save percentage through 15 starts. He signed a three-year extension worth 17.5 million dollars in September, signaling the organization believes he is a foundational piece moving forward. The 24-year-old looks like a completely different goaltender compared to his inconsistent days in Florida, and his ability to steal games has kept the Blackhawks competitive even when they do not play their best hockey.
The young defense corps deserves credit for the improved play as well. Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick from the 2024 draft, has notched 11 assists in 21 games while showing the offensive upside that made him such a coveted prospect. He is still just 20 years old and learning on the fly, but he has looked comfortable in his defensive role. The Blackhawks probably have the youngest defensive group in the league, but they are gaining valuable experience every night.
Of course, it has not all been smooth sailing. The Blackhawks have lost three consecutive games in regulation for the first time this season. They were shut out 1-0 by Colorado on Sunday after being blown out 9-3 by Buffalo in an embarrassing loss and surrendered a two-goal lead to Seattle in a 3-2 defeat. That three-game stretch saw them get outscored 13-5, and head coach Jeff Blashill has acknowledged the team needs to find its form again.
Here’s the thing, folks: Despite their struggles in the last week, the Blackhawks remain in the playoff conversation, something that seemed unthinkable when the season began. They are only four points out of third place in the Central Division where Minnesota currently sits. The division remains tight, with Colorado and Dallas sitting comfortably at the top while everyone else battles for positioning. At this same point last November, Chicago fans were talking about draft lottery odds and wondering how long the rebuild would take. Now they are discussing wild card possibilities and whether this young group can keep pace.
With that… The turnaround has not gone unnoticed around the league. Jeff Blashill established culture on day one. His practices are demanding, his systems are clear, and the players have responded with a scrappiness that was missing in previous seasons. Whether the Blackhawks can sustain this level of play remains to be seen, but there is no denying they have exceeded expectations and given their long-suffering fan base genuine reasons for excitement heading into December.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!