The Chicago Blackhawks have started the season on a surprisingly strong note, sparking renewed optimism among fans who are beginning to dream about a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a good spot. They are showing signs of improvement at the NHL level, and help is on the way.

With Alex Vlasic playing nearly two fewer minutes per game than last season and Sam Rinzel's average even lower than Vlasic's, the Hawks are keeping their young defensemen fresh. But they're asking more of Connor Bedard as a result.

Dynamic Blackhawks have shown they are improving, but trading for a defenseman like Brandon Carlo would be a huge addition

Spencer Knight was in the starter's crease during the morning skate. Expect him to go against the Leafs on Saturday night. Knight has been one of the league's best goalies so far this season, so Toronto has no easy path to getting back on track. In front of him, the lineup is projected to look as follows:

Gabriel Villardi had two goals and an assist, and linemates Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each had a goal and a two assists as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3.

Rinzel scored a goal on two shots and blocked three shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Canadiens. The second-period tally was Rinzel's first point of the season and the first goal of his NHL career. This was his 12th appearance, and he's quickly ...

The Blackhawks played the Florida Panthers for their first game of the season, and Blashill is referring to blueliner Sam Rinzel logging a whopping 25:18 minutes of ice time. After all, Rinzel is on the top defensive pairing along with quarterbacking the first power play unit and contributing on the penalty kill. Blashill admitted that was way too much ice time for the young defenseman.

CHICAGO — Kaiden Guhle scored with 15.7 seconds left, and the Montreal Canadiens spoiled Chicago's home opener with a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Saturday night. Cole Caufield and Zach Bolduc each had a goal and an assist for Montreal in its ...

SUNRISE, Fla. — None of the young Chicago Blackhawks were playing in their first NHL game on Tuesday. From Frank Nazar to Artyom Levshunov to Ryan Greene to Colton Dach to Sam Rinzel, they all had gotten their NHL debuts out of the way last season.