Blackhawks 2025-26 Report Cards: Bertuzzi, Burakovsky, & Veteran Forwards
With the youth movement rapidly taking over the entire Chicago Blackhawks’ roster as the 2025-26 campaign carried on, only a few veterans remained in the locker room by season’s end. The Blackhawks are expected to be one of the youngest teams in the NHL once again in 2026-27, and those few veterans who remain will be leaned on significantly to help the team take a step towards postseason contention. As for precisely which veteran players will still be around, that’s something GM Kyle Davidson and the team need to figure out this summer.
It’s much more of a pressing question in the forward group than on defense, with Matt Grzelcyk being the lone elder on the back end in need of a new contract to return next season. Up front, Tyler Bertuzzi still has two years left on his current deal, and the Blackhawks should feel comfortable with that based on his performance in 2025-26. Ryan Donato also had a fine first year under his new contract, considering the role he played in the bottom six.
Outside of Bertuzzi and Donato, however, there wasn’t much to be pleased about from the veteran players who are set to return. Teuvo Teravainen and Andre Burakovsky didn’t provide Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar with nearly enough consistent support in the top six, leaving some uncertainty about their respective futures. Both are under contract for one more season, and the Blackhawks might keep them around to help reach the salary cap floor, but there are no guarantees.
With pressure mounting for the franchise to become relevant again, the Blackhawks can’t afford such woeful play from key pieces of the team moving forward. In past offseasons, it would have been an easy decision for the front office to have both Teravainen and Burakovsky return. But now that there are serious stakes ahead?
Making the correct decision becomes much more crucial. Here’s Part 3 of Chicago Hockey Now’s report card grades for the 2025-26 Blackhawks, with seven veteran forwards to finish the series. Preseason expectations were once again considered for each player.
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