Blackhawks players set playoffs as 2027 goal, but Kyle Davidson knows that'll require enormous leap The Hawks would likely need to improve by 20-plus points next season to squeak into the postseason, although optimism is valuable in itself.

For 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Connor Bedard feels ready for Blackhawks' captaincy, and his teammates agree: 'He's our guy' It would be surprising if Bedard, new contract in hand, took the ice next season without a "C" adorning his chest.

Connor 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz announces contract extension for GM Kyle Davidson It's a multiyear extension for Davidson, who "has done everything we've expected of him," Wirtz said.

Blackhawks 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks end season with feel-good comeback win over Sharks Five unanswered goals and some heroic plays by Louis Crevier lifted the Hawks to a 5-2 victory Wednesday in Game 82.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Tyler Bertuzzi's consistent scoring, battling made him bright spot among Blackhawks veterans Bertuzzi's emotional investment in every game stood out almost as much as his career-high 32 goals.

Tyler 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' Oliver Moore will continue studying NHL, sharpening brain over the summer While missing the last five weeks of the season recovering from injury, Moore reflected on and talked to people about exactly how hockey is played at this level. He plans to watch lots of film this of...

While 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' effort levels crash to zero in blowout loss to Sabres If it wasn't the 81st game of a going-nowhere season, the Hawks' performance Monday would justify a genuine reckoning about the fitness of their roster and coaching staff. Considering it was, it inste...

If 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Connor Bedard made smart decision to wait until this summer to negotiate next Blackhawks contract Talks between the Hawks and Bedard's agents will begin in May, and it's clear Bedard's improvement this season has raised his value.

Connor 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks hope individual improvement by every kid adds up to team-wide improvement next season Most Hawks are at the ages where strength, speed and emotional maturity can change dramatically over the course of five months. The organization is counting on that happening this summer.

How 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

For Steve Larmer, Blackhawks Hall of Fame induction is enough acknowledgement Larmer's No. 28 seems unlikely to be retired by the Hawks, despite many fans' wishes, but he doesn't seek attention anyway.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

End of Blackhawks' season getting silly as Sam Lafferty plays defense in loss to Blues Lafferty, a depth foward healthy-scratched 42 times this season, filled in for injured defenseman Ethan Del Mastro in the Hawks' 5-3 defeat Saturday.

After 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Why Blackhawks' young defense reminds Duncan Keith of his early years Keith gave this "great young group of defensemen" — especially Wyatt Kaiser — a hearty vote of confidence Friday after his induction into the franchise's Hall of Fame.

Duncan 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks taught harsh lesson by Hurricanes about how effective a system can be The Hawks were throttled 7-2 by a Hurricanes team resting seven key players Thursday, starting their season-ending home stand on an ugly note.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Confidence 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

The situation feels a bit similar to Brodie, yeah

Blackhawks have found power play that works: Connor Bedard quarterbacking five forwards The Hawks' unusual zero-defenseman power-play unit has been good enough to earn the opportunity to start next season together.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks need to be logical and buy out Andre Burakovsky this summer The second half of Burakovsky's season has been disastrous to a remarkable degree, leading up to a healthy scratch Monday in the Hawks' fifth-to-last game.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

It's nearly impossible to trade up. I think it's more likely, if that happens, they look into trading that pick for Knies/etc type forward

Blackhawks' Kevin Korchinski hopes Chicago summer prepares him for full-time NHL play Korchinski, who will no longer be waiver-exempt next season, plans to stay in the city for his offseason training instead of going back home to Saskatchewan.

Kevin 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks lose to new rival Sharks in final road game The Hawks thrived on the power play but gave up too many odd-man rushes in a 3-2 loss Monday against the NHL team most similar to them.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks notebook: Anton Frondell 'living the dream' after two weeks in NHL Frondell's interest in observing and learning from everything has stood out during his mind-boggling first two road trips on the Hawks.

Anton 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' new generation embracing challenge of conquering NHL together Many young Hawks are thinking along these lines: "Hey, these are the guys we've got. We have to find a way to get it done."

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' improved defense helps Arvid Soderblom earn long-awaited win in Seattle The Hawks notched their second-ever victory in Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday, holding off the Kraken 4-2.

Visits 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Nick Lardis' confidence surging with Blackhawks as he learns how to score in NHL The rookie forward entered Saturday with four goals in seven games since coach Jeff Blashill promoted him into a top-six role.

Nick 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Will the Blackhawks' penalty kill remain a team strength next season? The Hawks' PK still ranks No. 1 in the NHL this season, but since the trade deadline, it ranks 27th. Is that a sign of things to come? Or can Jeff Blashill's system work effectively with any personnel...

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks' loss to Oilers officially eliminates them from playoff contention The inevitable outcome is now guaranteed following a 3-1 defeat Thursday in the opener of the Hawks' final road trip of the season.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson experiencing stark contrast between Blackhawks' rebuild, Oilers' win-now focus Murphy put it simply on Thursday in Edmonton: "Winning feels so good. Losing is very hard."

Stan 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Breaking down Blackhawks rookie Anton Frondell's best NHL performance so far After burying his first goal Tuesday against the Jets, Frondell is the first Hawks rookie to tally five points in his first five games since Artemi Panarin in 2015.

Anton 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Blackhawks encouraged by third-period play in overtime loss to Jets The Hawks' overtime woes continued in a 4-3 defeat Tuesday, but they conceded only 24 shots on goal in the game — a dramatic improvement from their recent road trip.

The 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

Why did the Blackhawks practice fighting? To 'learn how to protect ourselves' Videos of former NHL enforcer Wade Brookbank teaching a group of young Hawks how to fight better went viral on social media Monday, but there was a story behind the session.

So 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: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...