The Blackhawks’ season has finally arrived, and with it, real expectations for the first time since Kyle Davidson took over as General Manager in 2022. The players, coaches, and management are all talking about competing for a playoff spot, but a lot would have to go right for that to happen.

We’ve highlighted some of the team and player statistical categories from our official prediction show to project how the Blackhawks’ season might go. Will it be enough to get the Blackhawks into a playoff spot?

Connor Bedard’s exact return date

Bedard, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery on July 8, was projected to miss approximately 4 months, according to the Blackhawks. That would mean an on-target return date of November 8th, or 18 games. He has, however, been working on his own before practices with seemingly no restrictions.

Greg Boysen: Oct. 10 vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Mario Tirabassi: Oct. 10 vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Jay Zawaski: Oct. 17 vs. Dallas Stars

Connor Bedard’s season stats

Boysen: 79 games, 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points
Tirabassi: 78 games, 38 goals, 56 assists, 90 points
Zawaski: 75 games, 42 goals, 52 assists, 94 points

Patrick Kane’s season stats

Despite appearing in only 67 games with the Red Wings last season, Kane still tallied 16 goals and 17 assists (.85 points per game). Kane claims he’s feeling better now than he has at any point since his hip surgery in the summer of 2023. His return has fueled the expectations Blackhawks fans have coming into this season.

Boysen: 70 games, 23 goals, 43 assists, 66 points
Tirabassi: 70 games, 21 goals, 40 assists, 61 points
Zawaski: 65 games, 15 goals, 43 assists, 58 points

Bowen Byram’s season stats

While Kane’s return drew the biggest headlines outside of hockey circles, the massive trade and contract extension to Bowen Byram were the biggest moves for Davidson this summer, and maybe since he took over as GM. If Byram can become a true number one defenseman, the conversation changes for the Blackhawks. He’s looked excellent in his preseason games, scoring a hat trick in his preseason debut.

Boysen: 15 goals, 40 assists, 55 points
Tirabassi: 16 goals, 34 assists, 50 points
Zawaski: 17 goals, 45 assists, 62 points

Spencer Knight’s total shutouts

Knight solidified his status as one of the league’s top goaltenders last season, kept the Blackhawks in several games they had no business being in, and finished 11th in the NHL with a 14.18 GSAx.

Boysen: four
Tirabassi: four
Zawaski: four

Roman Kantserov vs. Anton Frondell

Rookies Roman Kantserov, who led the KHL in scoring last season, and Anton Frondell, who scored nine points in 12 games at the end of last season, will be huge parts of the Blackhawks’ success this year and for the foreseeable future. Outside of Bedard, they may be the most important forwards in the organization. So who will have more points this season?

Boysen: Kantserov
Tirabassi: Kantserov
Zawaski: Frondell

Blackhawks standings points, division finish

Over the last three seasons, the Blackhawks have made jumps from 52 points in 2023-24, to 61 points in 2024-25, to 72 points in 2025-26. How many will they finish with this season, and will it be enough to make the playoffs?

Boysen: 88 points, fifth place in Central, no playoffs
Tirabassi: 85 points, sixth place in Central, no playoffs
Zawaski: 87 points, sixth place in Central, no playoffs

Final thoughts

The three of us at CHGO Blackhawks are all in agreement. The team will take another big step forward, but fall short of the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference and Central Division. That may feel like a disappointment as this rebuild drags on, but if our player and team point projections are close to reality, it would indicate the team is well on its way to contention. Be sure to join us before the puck drops in Vegas for the pregame show, during the game for our watchalong, and after the game for our postgame show.

Hockey is back!