Chicago Blackhawks beat reporter for the Sun-Timeshttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3ml5i3fn6yl2iThe worst-case scenario, albeit also the most likely one, unfolded for the Blackhawks tonight as they fell to the 4th pick in the NHL draft lottery. Kyle Davidson said there are 5 or 6 players in the mix, and he is willing to consider trading the pick. Story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/05/05/blackhawks-draft-pick-nhl-lottery-gavin-mckenna-ivar-stenberg-kyle-davidson06 May 2026 00:47 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml5i3fn6yl2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjsg7ndyff2eFor the Blackhawks to make the playoffs next year, they'd likely need to make a 20+ point improvement. That didn't stop Hawks players from setting that expectation, though: "All our guys are ready to make that push." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/18/blackhawks-playoffs-goal-2027-kyle-davidson-alex-vlasic18 Apr 2026 21:49 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjsg7ndyff2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjnflmepvr2tConnor Bedard said today he feels ready for the Blackhawks' captaincy, and his teammates agree. "He’s the perfect guy for it. He cares about his teammates and checks in on everybody all the time. He’s our guy... I think he’s more than ready." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/16/connor-bedard-blackhawks-captain-ready-leadership-alex-vlasic16 Apr 2026 21:55 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjnflmepvr2thttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjlljny32o2bBlackhawks owner Danny Wirtz announced a contract extension for GM Kyle Davidson today. "We believe has the right insight, right team around him and the belief he can continue to build a championship team." Story with more from Wirtz: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/15/blackhawks-kyle-davidson-contract-extension-danny-wirtz16 Apr 2026 04:36 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjlljny32o2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjllhyvcuo2tThe Blackhawks discovered an extra reserve energy tank in the third period tonight, racing away for a 5-2 win over the Sharks in their season finale. "We wanted to finish on a good note, even though the last couple weeks have been hard." Postgame story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/15/blackhawks-end-season-comeback-win-louis-crevier-connor-bedard16 Apr 2026 04:35 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjllhyvcuo2thttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjkezqmxut2tTyler Bertuzzi was a bright spot among Blackhawks veterans this season, because of not only his career-high 32 goals but also his emotional investment in every game. "Being more consistent is the big thing, and that’s what I was this year." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/15/blackhawks-tyler-bertuzzi-scoring-battling-veteran-bright-spot-anton-frondell15 Apr 2026 17:07 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkezqmxut2thttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjiembgn6m2oWhile injured, Oliver Moore shifted gears to studying the NHL. He talked to people and analyzed how hockey is played at this level. This summer, he plans to watch lots of film and continue learning how to "think the game." New Blackhawks story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/14/blackhawks-oliver-moore-studying-nhl-sharpening-brain-summer14 Apr 2026 21:54 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjiembgn6m2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjgjm3rxhm2yIf it wasn’t game #81 of a going-nowhere season, the Blackhawks’ performance tonight in a 5-1 loss to the Sabres would justify a genuine reckoning about the fitness of their roster and coaching staff. Instead, it will be forgotten soon. But it was that bad: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/13/blackhawks-sabres-effort-levels-crash-frank-nazar-ryan-greene14 Apr 2026 04:18 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjgjm3rxhm2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjfpsk67rj2qConnor Bedard made a smart decision to wait until this summer to negotiate his next Blackhawks contract. Talks will begin "sometime in May," and it's clear Bedard's improvement this season has raised his value. New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/13/connor-bedard-new-blackhawks-contract-negotiation-cap-hit13 Apr 2026 20:36 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfpsk67rj2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjcsp4psks2oHow in the world could these Blackhawks actually compete for playoffs next season? The first ingredient will be a couple major summer additions. The second will be individual improvement by all ~15 kids adding up to team-wide improvement. New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/12/blackhawks-vision-next-season-summer-improvement-connor-bedard-ryan-donato12 Apr 2026 16:50 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjcsp4psks2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjcminposc2pThe Blackhawks seem unlikely to retire Steve Larmer's number, but his Hall of Fame induction might be enough acknowledgement. He doesn't love attention anyway. "It was a great honor. My first question was, 'Do I have to speak?'" New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/12/blackhawks-hall-of-fame-steve-larmer-jersey-retirement-spencer-knight-alex-vlasic12 Apr 2026 14:59 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjcminposc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mjb5p7dexr2rAfter healthy-scratching Sam Lafferty 52 times this season, the Blackhawks threw him a bone today and put him in — on defense — in a 5-3 loss to the Blues. Were they wrong to do it? Maybe not. Was it silly? Absolutely yes. Postgame story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/11/blackhawks-silly-sam-lafferty-defense-blues-ethan-del-mastro-jeff-blashill12 Apr 2026 01:02 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjb5p7dexr2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mj6igi6m4422Duncan Keith sees promising similarities between this young Blackhawks defense and the group he joined in 2005. "You look at the size of some of these guys and the way they can skate and how young they are. Levshunov is, what, 20 years old?" New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/10/blackhawks-defense-duncan-keith-wyatt-kaiser-artyom-levshunov-hall-of-fame10 Apr 2026 23:36 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj6igi6m4422https://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mj4hwlgnoq27The Blackhawks were taught a harsh lesson in a 7-2 loss to the Hurricanes tonight about how effective a system can be. "Although they obviously had a light lineup tonight, they still worked and competed on the pucks, and we didn’t do that." Postgame story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/09/blackhawks-hurricanes-system-harsh-lesson-anton-frondell-spencer-knight10 Apr 2026 04:21 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj4hwlgnoq27https://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mj3m7ufub32hConfidence swings influenced the ups and downs of Frank Nazar's season. "When you get a goal...it gives you a big confidence boost, almost like rush of a dopamine." New story analyzing his second year with the Blackhawks: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/09/blackhawks-frank-nazar-confidence-swings-nhl-clayton-keller-travis-konecny09 Apr 2026 20:06 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3m7ufub32hhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mizcjtl6fj2oThe Blackhawks' five-forward power play has been superb, producing about 1.85 scoring chances/minute — up from 0.87 previously this season. They've earned the opportunity to start next season together. New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/08/blackhawks-power-play-works-connor-bedard-five-forwards-frank-nazar-anton-frondell08 Apr 2026 22:07 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mizcjtl6fj2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miwoaftmw52qThe second half of Andre Burakovsky's season has been disastrous to a remarkable degree. After healthy-scratching him last night, the Blackhawks need to do the logical thing and buy him out this summer. New column: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/07/blackhawks-andre-burakovsky-buyout-andrew-mangiapane-teuvo-teravainen07 Apr 2026 20:58 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwoaftmw52qhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miwo4nokbv2rKevin Korchinski's last two games have been arguably his best in the NHL. Now, he has a summer plan that he hopes will help him take the next step: Stay in Chicago and work directly with Blackhawks skills & strength coaches. New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/07/blackhawks-kevin-korchinski-chicago-summer-training-wyatt-kaiser07 Apr 2026 20:56 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwo4nokbv2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miv2wdx6vx2rThe Blackhawks thrived on the power play but gave up too many odd-man rushes in a 3-2 loss tonight against their new rival, the Sharks. They finish 15-20-6 on the road this year after winning 17 road games over the last two years combined. Story from SJ: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/07/blackhawks-sharks-new-rival-nhl-future-frank-nazar-power-play07 Apr 2026 05:40 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miv2wdx6vx2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miu5j63dgo2kAnton Frondell will play his 8th NHL game in his 8th different arena tonight. His first two weeks in the NHL have been mind-boggling. "I looked at the map yesterday and realized we were all the way in the west of the USA." New Blackhawks notebook: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/06/blackhawks-anton-frondell-observing-nhl-connor-bedard-power-play-sacha-boisvert06 Apr 2026 20:54 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miu5j63dgo2khttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miqvd23inf2hThe Blackhawks are counting on their young core leading them back to the top of the NHL. And the kids have embraced that challenge, as daunting as it may be. "We want that responsibility. We want to be the ones that get it done." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/05/blackhawks-new-generation-conquering-nhl-ryan-greene-spencer-knight-connor-bedard05 Apr 2026 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miqvd23inf2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miq2v5kxe42zVisits to Seattle in the past have been torturous for the Blackhawks, and particularly for Arvid Soderblom. Strong defense and strong goaltending helped them finally overcome that curse tonight. Postgame story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/05/blackhawks-kraken-seattle-curse-arvid-soderblom-kevin-korchinski05 Apr 2026 05:56 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miq2v5kxe42zhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mip7y4gqxv2oNick Lardis' confidence is surging. You can tell on and off the ice. He has four goals in seven games since moving into the Blackhawks' top six. "[I’m] finding my stride. I’m feeling really good with the systems and everything." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/04/blackhawks-nick-lardis-confidence-surging-score-in-nhl-connor-hellebuyck04 Apr 2026 21:54 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mip7y4gqxv2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mimjlxjpd72hThe Blackhawks' penalty kill still ranks #1 in the NHL, but since the trade deadline, it has struggled. Is that a sign of things to come next season? Or can Blashill’s unique PK system work effectively with any personnel? New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/03/blackhawks-penalty-kill-nhl-jeff-blashill-system-ilya-mikheyev03 Apr 2026 20:09 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mimjlxjpd72hhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mikv7ghstb22The Blackhawks' 3-1 loss to the Oilers tonight officially eliminated them from playoff contention for a seventh consecutive season. Nick Lardis scored but later left with an injury. Postgame notebook from Edmonton: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/02/blackhawks-oilers-playoff-contention-eliminated-landon-slaggert-adam-gajan03 Apr 2026 04:31 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mikv7ghstb22https://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mik3je7z7v24Stan Bowman is doing what he does, and in a few years, it'll be rebuild time in Edmonton. But right now, it's all-in time. And Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson are enjoying that contrast. "Winning feels so good. Losing is very hard." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/02/blackhawks-oilers-contrast-connor-murphy-jason-dickinson-winning02 Apr 2026 20:51 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mik3je7z7v24https://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mihjk5ijna24Anton Frondell is the first Blackhawks rookie to tally 5 points in his first 5 games since Artemi Panarin. And Frondell's performance Tuesday against Winnipeg was probably his best yet, although there were defensive mistakes. New story breaking it down: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/04/01/blackhawks-anton-frondell-video-breakdown-center-jonathan-toews01 Apr 2026 20:24 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihjk5ijna24https://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3miftczd6vs2zThe Hawks’ overtime woes continued in a 4-3 defeat tonight against the Jets. But they conceded only 24 shots on goal in the game and played a stellar third period — dramatic improvements from their recent road trip on both fronts. Notebook: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/03/31/blackhawks-jets-third-period-tyler-bertuzzi-jonathan-toews01 Apr 2026 04:14 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3miftczd6vs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3mif4kgyawf27So what was the deal behind the Blackhawks' fighting practice yesterday? Former NHL enforcer Wade Brookbank dished out some strategies to the young guys. “It’s a lot about just protecting yourself." New story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/03/31/blackhawks-fighting-practice-wade-brookbank-alex-vlasic-landon-slaggert31 Mar 2026 21:27 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mif4kgyawf27https://bsky.app/profile/benpopecst.bsky.social/post/3micqoc2it227It was strange to see some Blackhawks fans criticizing Jeff Blashill for experimenting with Frondell at center and the five-forward PP. In fact, experimenting is exactly what Blashill should be doing right now. New column: https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/03/30/blackhawks-jeff-blashill-experimentation-anton-frondell-power-play30 Mar 2026 22:49 +0000at://did:plc:yblz4cpyvsbu2dtkwxs6dlx5/app.bsky.feed.post/3micqoc2it227