The Blackhawks open the 2025-26 preseason with six rivalry tune-ups that will shape early roster decisions. With Jeff Blashill behind the bench and several veteran additions up front, Chicago will use this slate to test combinations and evaluate prospects without revealing too much before opening night.
Chicago Blackhawks’ Offseason Recap: Major Additions and Key Departures
Chicago added multiple NHL regulars. Andre Burakovsky arrived from Seattle on June 21 in a trade that sent Joe Veleno the other way. Sam Lafferty returned to the organization on July 1 in a trade with Buffalo. The club also re-signed Ryan Donato to a four-year contract on June 18. Center Dominic Toninato is on an $850,000 deal, adding a bottom-six option. Separately, Chicago traded Ilya Safonov to Vancouver for future considerations on June 28.
Behind the bench, Jeff Blashill takes over as head coach after three seasons on Jon Cooper’s staff in Tampa Bay. Blashill replaces interim Anders Sorensen, who remains on staff. In net, Spencer Knight, acquired March 1 in the Seth Jones trade with Florida, signed a three-year extension on September 13 and projects as part of the NHL tandem with Arvid Soderblom, who signed a two-year deal on July 26.
Recent contract notes include Frank Nazar’s seven-year extension on August 21 and Wyatt Kaiser’s two-year deal on September 17. Matt Grzelcyk is in camp on a professional tryout, and Laurent Brossoit (hip) is on injured reserve.
For context, Chicago’s defense features several young regulars, including Alex Vlasic (24), Wyatt Kaiser (23), Kevin Korchinski (21), Sam Rinzel (21), and Artyom Levshunov (19), alongside veteran Connor Murphy (32). Up front, veterans such as Tyler Bertuzzi (30), Burakovsky (30), Jason Dickinson (30), Nick Foligno (37), Teuvo Teräväinen (31), and Ilya Mikheyev (30) complement the club’s younger core.
All You Need to Know About the Blackhawks’ Preseason
Chicago will play six preseason games against three Central Division rivals, one home and one road against each:
Away:
Tuesday, September 23, 6:00 p.m. CT — at Detroit
Saturday, September 27, 6:00 p.m. CT — at St. Louis
Sunday, September 28, 5:00 p.m. CT — at Minnesota
Home:
Tuesday, September 30, 7:00 p.m. CT — vs. Detroit (United Center)
Friday, October 3, 7:00 p.m. CT — vs. Minnesota (United Center)
Saturday, October 4, 6:00 p.m. CT — vs. St. Louis (United Center)
Preseason tickets are on sale, starting at $20 before taxes and fees, available via Ticketmaster through the club’s site. Fans seeking guaranteed access to select Centennial gameday experiences can explore Full, Half, and Partial Season Ticket Memberships.
saturday afternoon reminder to get your tickets now!🔔
🎟️ ➡︎ https://t.co/iBAW6LJQMl pic.twitter.com/zaxoRtHCNe
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 20, 2025
The team’s preseason announcement does not include broadcast information for preseason games. For updates, consult the Blackhawks’ Broadcast Schedule page as listings are posted.
The preseason will provide early reads on line combinations, special-teams assignments, and the deployment of Chicago’s young defensemen before opening night.
