<p>The Chicago Blackhawks were one power play goal away from putting this game to bed. The Hawks had five opportunities to do it—including in overtime—and failed. A three-goal lead was squandered and eventually erased as the Minnesota Wild took the Hawks to the shootout. </p><p>There's a few talking points, then goals. </p><h2 id="teuvo-bedard-nazar">Teuvo-Bedard-Nazar</h2><p>I finally got my wish with Teuvo Teravainen playing on the same line with Connor Bedard. While I don't think Frank Nazar on this line is a long-term solution, this was a needed change to get the offense going. And going it did. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">first shift back? make it a goal 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/DImXSG3Idt">pic.twitter.com/DImXSG3Idt</a></p>— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/2016320381204726224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>This line did most (if not all) of the heavy lifting in the offensive zone. They had a 72.73% 5v5 shot attempt share (Corsi) and a 74.85% expected goals share (xG%). They outshot their opponent 11-3 and scored that first goal on their first shift by crashing the net. It's a safe bet that we see this trio again in Thursday night's game.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bedard floats a perfect sauce to Nazar who chips it on net <a href="https://t.co/abvVrwgitq">pic.twitter.com/abvVrwgitq</a></p>— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/2016349337509396638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h2 id="everyone-else">Everyone Else</h2><p>The issue with moving Frank Nazar up on the first line with Bedard and Teuvo is that there isn't any scoring ability anywhere else in the lineup. Granted, <a href="https://x.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/2016324952203403384?s=20" rel="noreferrer">Ryan Donato scored</a> because of sloppiness on Minnesota's part. But the other lines struggled to generate meaningful offense. </p><p>Ryan Greene's line with Oliver Moore and Andre Burakovsky finished with decent metrics (50% Corsi and 65.61 xG% at 5v5), but I attribute this more to the Hawks' defensive work than offense. </p><p>The Blackhawks' defense did a solid job of playing man-on-man most of the night. They weren't perfect, but I do want to highlight Alex Vlasic. He had a solid night. Vlasic made excellent outlet passes, and Ilya Mikheyev's goal doesn't happen without Vlasic. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">another one, 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘒 𝘠𝘖𝘜 🛎️ <a href="https://t.co/UCs2HVGzbz">pic.twitter.com/UCs2HVGzbz</a></p>— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/2016334733278347738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Blackhawks had a 56.67% Corsi and a 73.46 xG% when Vlasic was on the ice.</p><p>The numbers say one thing, but my eyes told me a different story. The Hawks finished the night with a 54.67% Corsi and a 62.6 xG% at 5v5. Only one line wasn't above 50% in both metrics, and that was the fourth line (Slaggert-Foligno-Donato with 6:33 minutes of 5v5). </p><p>I noticed in the third period that the Hawks were conceding the blue line a bit too much. I wouldn't say they were turtling (the metrics point that they weren't), but it was pretty damn close.</p><h2 id="the-power-play">The Power Play</h2><p>Chicago failed to convert five power plays into a goal. That includes a power play in OT, which actually had some good looks. Their 5v4 PP (which excludes the OT power play) generated six shots on goal and four high danger scoring chances.</p><p>Where the Hawks struggle is with their entries and getting set up. </p><p>The power play relies on the drop pass to get going on the entry. Most NHL teams use some form of a drop pass, and it's especially effective when a team has fast players (like the Hawks). The defenseman carries the puck while a forward (or forwards) swings below, builds up speed, and receives a drop pass to enter the zone. </p><p>Where the Hawks mess this up is when the only player with momentum is the forward who just received the puck. No one else is moving, they're just waiting at the blue line for things to kind of... <em>happen</em>. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-video-card kg-width-regular"> <div class="kg-video-container"> <video src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/media/2026/01/Untitled-video---Made-with-Clipchamp.mp4" poster="https://img.spacergif.org/v1/1920x1080/0a/spacer.png" width="1920" height="1080" preload="metadata" style="background:transparent url('https://fromthepoint.cc/content/media/2026/01/Untitled-video---Made-with-Clipchamp_thumb.jpg') 50% 50% / cover no-repeat"></video> <div class="kg-video-overlay"> <button class="kg-video-large-play-icon"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M23.14 10.608 2.253.164A1.559 1.559 0 0 0 0 1.557v20.887a1.558 1.558 0 0 0 2.253 1.392L23.14 13.393a1.557 1.557 0 0 0 0-2.785Z"></path> </svg> </button> </div> <div class="kg-video-player-container"> <div class="kg-video-player"> <button class="kg-video-play-icon"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M23.14 10.608 2.253.164A1.559 1.559 0 0 0 0 1.557v20.887a1.558 1.558 0 0 0 2.253 1.392L23.14 13.393a1.557 1.557 0 0 0 0-2.785Z"></path> </svg> </button> <button class="kg-video-pause-icon kg-video-hide"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <rect x="3" y="1" width="7" height="22" rx="1.5" ry="1.5"></rect> <rect x="14" y="1" width="7" height="22" rx="1.5" ry="1.5"></rect> </svg> </button> <span class="kg-video-current-time">0:00</span> <div class="kg-video-time"> /<span class="kg-video-duration">0:18</span> </div> <input type="range" class="kg-video-seek-slider" max="100" value="0" /> <button class="kg-video-playback-rate">1×</button> <button class="kg-video-unmute-icon"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M15.189 2.021a9.728 9.728 0 0 0-7.924 4.85.249.249 0 0 1-.221.133H5.25a3 3 0 0 0-3 3v2a3 3 0 0 0 3 3h1.794a.249.249 0 0 1 .221.133 9.73 9.73 0 0 0 7.924 4.85h.06a1 1 0 0 0 1-1V3.02a1 1 0 0 0-1.06-.998Z"></path> </svg> </button> <button class="kg-video-mute-icon kg-video-hide"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M16.177 4.3a.248.248 0 0 0 .073-.176v-1.1a1 1 0 0 0-1.061-1 9.728 9.728 0 0 0-7.924 4.85.249.249 0 0 1-.221.133H5.25a3 3 0 0 0-3 3v2a3 3 0 0 0 3 3h.114a.251.251 0 0 0 .177-.073ZM23.707 1.706A1 1 0 0 0 22.293.292l-22 22a1 1 0 0 0 0 1.414l.009.009a1 1 0 0 0 1.405-.009l6.63-6.631A.251.251 0 0 1 8.515 17a.245.245 0 0 1 .177.075 10.081 10.081 0 0 0 6.5 2.92 1 1 0 0 0 1.061-1V9.266a.247.247 0 0 1 .073-.176Z"></path> </svg> </button> <input type="range" class="kg-video-volume-slider" max="100" value="100" /> </div> </div> </div> </figure><p>And when they do get set up, they haven't been able to generate meaningful chances. The first powerplay actually featured decent OZ time. But there was a lot of passing until Levshunov took a point shot right at the goalie. A low percentage shot. It wasn't a shot meant to turn into a rebound. It was a low-effort flub. </p><p>I'm a little concerned about Levshunov. I get that he's young. I get that defensemen take a long time to develop (even though this is a new era, and comparing anyone to Duncan Keith's development route is a bit of a stretch). But I hold Levshunov to a higher standard as the No. 2 overall pick in 2024. </p><h2 id="goals">Goals</h2><p>I've linked the Hawks' three goals above, so I'll focus on the three the Wild scored. </p><h3 id="goal-1-yakov-trenin">Goal 1 (Yakov Trenin)</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trenin beats Knight with a perfect shot <a href="https://t.co/VbwwZ9nUeB">pic.twitter.com/VbwwZ9nUeB</a></p>— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/2016338440103535093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Andre Burakovsky's pass to the point bounced beyond Matt Grzelcyk. This created a 2-on-1 with Connor Murphy defending the rush. It's hard to tell, but I'm giving Burakovsky the benefit of the doubt. It looks like the defender got a stick on Burakovsky, or this was a horrible pass.</p><h3 id="goal-2-joel-eriksson-ek">Goal 2 (Joel Eriksson Ek)</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Insane play by Hughes to get the puck to the net and create a rebound goal for Eriksson-Ek <a href="https://t.co/xsLeb3apWi">pic.twitter.com/xsLeb3apWi</a></p>— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/2016347490690146482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Quinn Hughes displays some pretty skating mechanics and gets a shot on goal for a rebound. Joel Eriksson Ek is there to collect. </p><h3 id="goal-3-jared-spurgeon">Goal 3 (Jared Spurgeon)</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spurgeon ties it late <a href="https://t.co/OW1JbWLTJm">pic.twitter.com/OW1JbWLTJm</a></p>— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/2016353844150632623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>I would've liked to see Bedard take away the pass from his guy and the defense to do a better job of clearing the net on this one. </p><hr /><p>That's it for now. No SITREP today. This will be it for Hawks-related stuff. Chicago visits the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow at 6 pm CT. Looking to have a SITREP with a preview inside tomorrow. </p>

<p>No morning skate lines to report today. You can read about <a href="https://fromthepoint.cc/blackhawks-updates-teravainen-burakovsky-jan-26-2026/" rel="noreferrer">yesterday's lines here</a>, which features Frank Nazar, Connor Bedard, and Teuvo Teravainen in one line. Nick Lardis was sent to the Rockford IceHogs yesterday, I discuss the move below. There's also a game preview for tonight's game in Minnesota. You can find that at the bottom. </p><h2 id="nick-lardis-sent-to-rockford">Nick Lardis sent to Rockford</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">we have assigned Nick Lardis to <a href="https://twitter.com/goicehogs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@goicehogs</a> <br /><br />📰 ➡︎ <a href="https://t.co/fP4AHm60EG">https://t.co/fP4AHm60EG</a> <a href="https://t.co/LLVVgmXI6o">pic.twitter.com/LLVVgmXI6o</a></p>— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/2015892880712249703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The reason given for Nick Lardis' demotion is that, because the Blackhawks have a surplus of forwards, and now that everyone is healthy, Lardis had to be sent to Rockford. Through 21 games, Lardis averaged 12:39 minutes a night and will see more ice time in Rockford in an elevated role. Although, I'd argue that 12 minutes in the NHL is more valuable than what the AHL offers. </p><p>The Rockford IceHogs need help, and I'm sure Lardis will provide that for them. In his time with the Blackhawks, he averaged 13.27 shot attempts per 60 (at 5v5), 5.81 shots on goal per 60 (5v5), and a 5v5 52.15% Corsi—second best on the roster for players with over 10 games played. </p><p>Most encouraging was that Lardis was finding areas of the ice to score from. One of the concerns was translating his scoring from junior to pro. Five goals and two assists in 21 games isn't eye-dropping, but when you watch Lardis play, he isn't taking those chances from the perimeter. </p><p>While sending Lardis to Rockford ensures he gets icetime over the Olympic break, I'd much rather have him for the five games remaining. Landon Slaggert has looked better in the bottom-six, and I'd keep him there given the role. Lardis could have seen top-six minutes, allowing Slaggert to stay on the roster. So, who gets the boot in that situation? Why not Sam Lafferty?</p><hr /><h2 id="blackhawks-wild-7-pm-ct">Blackhawks @ Wild 7 pm CT</h2><p>The Hawks travel up north to Minnesota to take on one of the best teams in the league. The Minnesota Wild are second in the Western Conference (29-14-10 record with 68 points) and are 4-4-2 in their last 10, having lost their last game in overtime to the Florida Panthers. </p><p>While the Wild's metrics aren't eye-popping (26th in Corsi and 17th in expected goals share), they've received excellent goaltending with a 5v5 team save percentage of .923 (third best in the league). Rookie Jesper Wallstedt has posted a .914 SV% through 21 games, and Filip Gustavsson has a .909 SV% through 33 games. Minnesota has one of the league's best forwards in Kirill Kaprisov (28 goals and 64 points) and one of the best defensemen in recently acquired Quinn Hughes (four goals, 48 points).</p><p>This one could go either way for the Hawks. If Spencer Knight is in net, he should be able to withstand the lack of firepower Minnesota provides (bottom half of the league in possession metrics). But the Hawks need to be careful with Quinn Hughes on the ice. He shouldn't have an issue creating space and swirling the Hawks' man-on-man defense. </p><p>Chicago's new look first line (Nazar-Bedard-Teuvo) will either produce much-needed offense or get stiffled along the boards. With the goaltending that Minnesota deploys, I'm not very confident that the Hawks are going to be able to get much going. </p><p></p><p></p>

<p>The Chicago Blackhawks' salary situation is one hardly worth exploring right now. With a rising salary cap (projected to be $113.5 million by 2027-28) and young players still on entry-level contracts, there isn't anything to worry about. That doesn't mean Kyle Davidson can do whatever he wants without planning. He still needs to be smart with signing young players. </p><p>We're exploring this topic because I recently published our <a href="https://fromthepoint.cc/salaries/" rel="noreferrer">"Salaries" page</a>. There, you can view the current Blackhawks salary cap situation based on the current roster. It's updated by me, so don't expect immediate updates after a roster move. But I'm hoping to make this place a one-stop shop for Hawks information. </p><p>Alright, let's start with what Kyle Davidson has already done.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-27-071750-1.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1335" height="770" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-27-071750-1.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-27-071750-1.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-27-071750-1.png 1335w" /><figcaption><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">The salary cap chart, for your reference.</span></figcaption></figure><h2 id="signed-players">Signed Players</h2><h3 id="frank-nazar-6599991-x-4-years">Frank Nazar $6,599,991 x 4 years</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-11.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1137" height="51" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/image-11.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/image-11.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-11.png 1137w" /></figure><p>Frank Nazar's first year of his new deal hasn't even started yet. So it's much too early to make bold declarations. That said, the signing in and of itself was a strong declaration. Kyle Davidson is gambling that Nazar is this franchise's 2C. Considering the annual average salary (AAV), it's a low-risk gamble. Also, this was the largest deal a player signed with the amount of games Nazar played (56—not even a full season).</p><p>Davidson is taking a swing, and if it's a miss, this deal won't hurt the cap. If Nazar hits, this is a steal that's setting up Nazar for a hell of a payday. Except, I haven't been impressed with Nazar this season. That 21-game goal drought is enough to have me concerned. Goal scorers in the NHL don't go cold like that. They go cold, sure, but not 20+ games cold. </p><p>Granted, Nazar was probably playing hurt (my speculation), eventually <em>was</em> hurt, and is playing his first full NHL season—one that's compressed by the Olympics. </p><h3 id="spencer-knight-5833333-x-3-years">Spencer Knight $5,833,333 x 3 years</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-12.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1134" height="52" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/image-12.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/image-12.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-12.png 1134w" /></figure><p>Spencer Knight is in the last year of his current deal and signed his extension just before the season started. Knight has impressed and will more than likely get a fat raise. He's among the league leaders in goaltender metrics, and that's with a poopoo defense in front of him. Knight is eighth overall in goals saved above expected (12) and is 14th overall in save percentage (.914).</p><h3 id="alex-vlasic-4600000-x-5-years">Alex Vlasic $4,600,000 x 5 years</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-13.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1139" height="48" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/image-13.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/image-13.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-13.png 1139w" /></figure><p>Remember when people (myself included) praised this signing as the potential steal of the century? That was when <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/chicago-blackhawks-2023-24-season-recap-alex-vlasic-statistics-analysis-commentary/" rel="noreferrer">Alex Vlasic</a> posted some of the best defensive metrics in the league, you know, when Seth Jones was still a Blackhawk. Vlasic is still only 24 years old, and this deal so far is looking about on par. While Vlasic looks <em>good</em>, he's also somewhat stagnated. Remember, some were calling Vlasic a potential first-pairing defenseman when this team is playing meaningful hockey again. Some even <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2025/01/21/blackhawks-alex-vlasic-hurricanes-jaccob-slavin-model-nhl-comparison-defense" rel="noreferrer">compared him to Jaccob Slavin</a>. I hate to say it, but this season (and the one before it) makes it look like he'll be a solid middle-pair defenseman. And that's okay. </p><h3 id="ryan-donato-4000000-x-4-years">Ryan Donato $4,000,000 x 4 years</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-14.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1135" height="49" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/image-14.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/image-14.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-14.png 1135w" /></figure><p>There's not too much here worth exploring. If Donato is on this team when his deal ends in 2029, he'll be a fine fourth liner. The cap is expected to be over $110 mil by then. </p><h2 id="pending-rfas">Pending RFA's</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-15.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1139" height="79" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/image-15.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/image-15.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-15.png 1139w" /></figure><h3 id="connor-bedard">Connor Bedard</h3><p>Connor Bedard will get whatever deal he wants. About the only leverage Chicago has is that they own his rights. Now, does Connor sign long-term? Or does he sign a short-term deal, use unrestricted free agency as leverage in the future, and get the big bucks? Fans shouldn't be worried about the fact that there hasn't been a deal signed. It'll get done. But that doesn't mean we can't ask, "Why hasn't it happened yet?"</p><h3 id="colton-dach">Colton Dach</h3><p>Colton Dach will probably get a small, short-term deal. He's looked alright on the bottom-six. Not sure I see him staying here long term. </p><h2 id="pending-ufas">Pending UFA's</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-width-wide"><img src="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-16.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1136" height="176" srcset="https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/image-16.png 600w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/image-16.png 1000w, https://fromthepoint.cc/content/images/2026/01/image-16.png 1136w" /></figure><p>Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev, Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, Matt Grzelcyk, and Sam Lafferty are all pending UFA's. Of the bunch, Mikheyev is someone the Hawks <em>could</em> resign for a couple of years. He's been solid on the PK and was one of the Hawks' best defensive forwards last season. This season? It's been a bit of a regression, but still. He's not someone I'd hate to see return. </p><p>Scott Powers identified Murphy, Dickinson, and Mikheyev as players other teams have shown interest in. I wouldn't hate to see the Hawks trade Foligno either. Let him go win something. Not sure what either Murphy or Dickinson could get you in return, and this isn't a trade deadline preview, but I wish Dickinson had been traded instead of signed a couple of years back. You know, when he was worth a little something. </p><hr /><p>Again, not much worth getting upset about. There are things Davidson has to be mindful of; not every young player is going to hit. Once Nick Lardis, Anton Frondell, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov are out of ELCs, things <em>could</em> get a little tricky. That is, if all of those players <em>are </em>who the front office <em>says they are</em>. </p>

Some welcome lineup changes and some not-so-welcome rumors.

Recapping the Blackhawks' loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.

I was being a sad panda... and I'm sorry.

A blog about the Chicago Blackhawks.

Recapping the Hawks loss in the shootout to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Recapping the Blackhawks 2-0 victory over the Jets.