NHL Central Division Preview 2026
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What are the main expectations for the Chicago Blackhawks this season?
Last year, they were last in the division. Again, the Chicago Blackhawks have not taken a step forward since taking many steps back many, many years ago. I can't believe it's been this long. This might be, is this year eight or year nine since they scored three goals in four games against the Nashville Predators in that first round series and then never saw the playoffs again, basically.
I can't believe they got as high as three goals. It's
crazy. And last year, 72 points in 82 games. And the next closest team in the division, the Winnipeg Jets, who also had a bit of a rough year, 82 points.
It's not exactly starting great.
No, it's not. And I guess we've got to start with the biggest player and the biggest name. And I know they made some acquisitions, but Conor Bedard is not going to be ready for the start of the season, guys.
No, it is interesting that he's on the ice. Yeah. And it's a young team that is going to improve internally. They're going to get better. They're adding some prospects that have been marinating in Europe and in the AHL and in different spots. I actually have faith in a lot of the things the Blackhawks are doing. But one thing they proved last year is they kind of come and go as Conor Bedard does. They were a somewhat... Not somewhat respectable. They were respectable. They were a competitive team with Bedard in the lineup last season. Yep. And when he went down, holy...
October, November showed signs of life, I think. 100%. And Frank Nazar is a guy I'd like to point out because he also got hurt. I think it was towards the end of October, end of November, and then came back and was never the same.
I say this every year and it sounds like cope to finish in the bottom five or the bottom three. You can't just be bad. Stuff has to go wrong and like spectacularly. And heading into last year, would it have been reasonable to predict the Blackhawks would make the blast? No, not really. But to get to the depths of where they were, stuff had to go wrong.
What about if you predicted they'd make the playoffs two years ago, Jesse
Blake? Well, I was a little early on that train, but this might be the year. It might be.
Top
division. I tapped friend of the show, Mario Terabisi. I'm not saying that
correctly. Terabasi.
Terabasi, sorry. I asked him. I was like, okay. So we're doing a Chicago Blackhawks season preview. Yeah. Can you give me something I can read to Steve and Adam about how you feel about this team this year?
Oh, let's go.
Because Mario is a little bit more positive on the team than I think you gentlemen are. Can I read to you what he said? Don't
let me in with
Adam.
Don't let me in with Adam. I have not even said anything bad, except that it's a little scary that Bedard's not
starting. No, they're going to invent 33rd place so Adam can put it. All right, go ahead.
So I think this will be a good little preamble for then you guys getting into the team. He says the re-edition of Patrick Kane is more than just a nostalgia play. When you realize he's going to be playing with guys like Bedard and Nazar and Frondell and KHL Phenom. Kancaroff. Kancaroff. All players who play with high levels of skill and pace. Perfect matches for him. And he's still got game left evident by his 0.86 points per game over his last three seasons in Detroit. Yeah. Bo Byram. gives the defensive group a legitimate top pair option who can play 25 minutes a night, quarterback the power play, produce 50 points from the back end. That's a huge improvement over their top defensive point producer last year, who was Crevier at 25 points.
There's also the year-over-year growth from Lardis, Moore, Green, Nazar, Bedard, and starter Spencer Knight. And a group of veterans that just have to be consistent as the young players take over the organization. That's a lot of ifs, Mario acknowledges, but there's no reason at this moment to believe that this group won't continue to climb the ladder in the league. Plus, Bedard is already skating. shooting near full capacity just two months after the surgery. Maybe he could be ready in early October.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What are the main expectations for the Chicago Blackhawks this season?
0:00–10:35
2
How will the Colorado Avalanche’s roster moves affect their over‑under points total?
10:35–21:46
3
Can the Dallas Stars’ depth and goaltending push them into a playoff spot?
21:46–32:21
4
What impact will the new additions have on the Minnesota Wild’s chances in the Central?
32:21–42:18
5
Will the Nashville Predators improve enough to break the 85‑point barrier?
42:18–51:41
6
How will the St. Louis Blues address their defensive depth and goaltending?
51:41–1:02:49
7
What are the key factors that could determine the Winnipeg Jets’ playoff fate?
1:02:49–1:18:00
8
What overall predictions do the hosts have for the Central Division standings?
1:18:00–1:42:52