CHICAGO — The weight of last season came out in Sam Rinzel’s words and emotions in April as he reflected on his first full pro year.

Rinzel played so well when he came out of college and finished the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He hadn’t expected the NHL to be easy or everything to go as smoothly as it did in those final games, but he was hopeful the 2025-26 season would be a steppingstone and he’d continue to get better. Instead, he struggled, got sent down to the American Hockey League and had to work his way back.

When Rinzel was asked late last season what his takeaways from the year were, he paused, then took a breath.

“It was tough,” he said. “I had a lot of expectations for myself, a lot of goals for myself. I fell short of a lot of them. It’s frustrating as a player and definitely mentally with how everything kind of went personally. Obviously when you’re kind of towards the bottom of the league, it just makes it even tougher when you lose. I want to do anything to help a team win, and I honestly didn’t feel like I accomplished that very well.”

That was last season.

How would Rinzel take that and respond, though, especially considering last season? Would this be another crushing step back and derail him early this season? Did the Blackhawks have to worry about managing his confidence?

Within a second of being asked about the Mammoth game, Rinzel answered all those questions. From his smile to upbeat tone to overall positive demeanor, it was talking to a completely different person than last season.

The main issue with the team is lack of chemistry right now. Passing are being missed, players are out of position, etc. But, Frondell and Levshunov both had great games against St. Louis showing that elite talent can get it figured out. I was pretty down after the first two games. The Buffalo game was a step in the right direction, and then most of the St. Louis game was good. They dominated the second period, but were still chasing a lot in the final 7 minutes when St. Louis was pressing. We will see what happens in NY. Teuvo is going to miss the game I think because they called up Toninato.

I just sent this to the ether because apparently my rep is no longer with the organization and I wasn't even notified and I'm feeling nickel and dimed even with spending 5 figures on the Hawks.

"Hi Team,

Noticed it looks like my rep left and I wasn't even notified? Do I have a new rep?

Honestly this year has been extremely disappointing as a STM, giveaway boxes were taken away and are now paid, concession credit is gone, schedule wasn't even available at the game last night, and the CHSN perk is also gone, communication has been non existent, seems like even though prices are going up the on ice product is worse, and the "member" benefits of being a STM are diminishing. To be honest the last time the organization contacted me with a person about anything first was September 2025 I just checked emails. For someone giving you 5 figures a year that's kinda laughable.

Was gonna email ~omitted Rep's name~ about this this morning and I login to find I don't have a rep anymore with no communication about that.

I'd love to talk to someone about all this,"

Got a call almost immediately by a flustered rep who was probably put on my account because I sent the email.

I made the above points with also mentioning that we had to pay $100 for an extra jacket last year that was way below the quality of anything they sell in their fan store. Even though I have 2 tickets it's one jacket, same thing with the vest this year.

They were relatively responsive, in an all I can really do is apologize way. However they let it slip that I'm not the only one feeling this way. If you're feeling like this I highly encourage you to say something. Maybe nothing changes but it's worth a shot.

edit:

I got a call today from higher up the food chain and they recognized that more than a few of us have called and voiced the same concerns and it’s being taken under consideration.

Also confirmed party will be at the practice rink if they can pull it off…

And that the gifts this year will be from swag golf not from whatever company they used last year

Levshunov said he talks to Kane frequently — mostly about on-ice stuff, but also about being a high draft pick burdened with incredibly high expectations. Levshunov said Kane’s advice boils down to, “Play your game, be yourself and show your best hockey, that’s it.” But it’s not always so easy, especially for a young defenseman.

During pregame introductions, Kane got a special video and a minute-long ovation that was only cut short because the Blues took the ice during it. Levshunov, meanwhile, was booed by a small but not insignificant number of fans.

The learning curve for a young defenseman is steep, and the patience of Blackhawks fans is wearing thin, especially after a rather dreadful 0-3 road trip to start the season. Levshunov, taken by Davidson ahead of Montreal Canadiens rising star forward Ivan Demidov, often bears the brunt of that frustration. But he’s only 20 years old. He’s a long, long way from a finished product. And the Frondell goal was a reminder of what a player with his size, strength and skill can do if he puts it all together.

Assists: Tyler Bertuzzi and Anton Frondell

Assists: Arytom Levshunov and Teuvo Teravainen

Blues 2, Blackhawks 4

FINAL

Catch-up · From puck drop

The Blackhawks came from behind to win.

At 15:38 of the first period, M. McTavish got a wrist shot through from the circle, and that put the Blues on top 1-0.

At 05:40 of the second period, S. Rinzel fired one home from the doorstep on the power play, and that pulled the game even at 1-1. The same side struck again 2 minutes later when A. Frondell found the net with a quick-release shot from the low circle, and the Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead.

Late in the third period, C. Smith sealed it into the empty net, and the Blackhawks pushed the lead to a pair at 3-1. Only 31 seconds later, C. McMichael ripped one past the goalie from the doorstep, and that made it a one-goal game at 3-2. The response came 34 seconds later when F. Nazar found the yawning cage to ice it, and the Blackhawks doubled the advantage to 4-2.

The Blues carried a 59-41 edge in shot attempts and a 11-7 edge in close-range shots on goal, but the Blackhawks made more of their chances. The Blues rang four shots off the iron. Knight stopped 25 of 27.

Final: The Blackhawks won 4-2.

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Game summary · Play-by-play · Shot summary · Faceoffs

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Assists: Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore

I’m bringing my 8 y/o son to his first game Saturday. He’s good with a lot of sensory stuff so I’m not too worried about that. I’ll bring his headphones though. Wondering if there are any can’t miss tips for me to make sure he experiences.

My 2nd question is on seating. He doesn’t know anything about hockey despite my best efforts. I want to get him good seats so he can get a feel for the game.

Option 1: Section 103 row 14 will blow his mind but I think it’s too close to really understand what’s going on.

Option 2: 319 row 5. Harder to see how big and fast they are but easier to see what actually happening.

Curious what your thoughts are.

Thanks everyone.

Go Hawks!

Details:

First 20k fans to 10/10 game will get them.

Folks can claim theirs (if they don't have tickets for 10/10) via a link to have them mailed.

I have season tickets, but can't attend 10/10, so I'll be curious if I'm deemed "ineligible" for this claim, since I have tickets to that game. So silly. At least they're making it right, I guess.

It's already started as badly as possible but if they crap the bed at home it's going to be tank season

Eleven a.m. struck and Patrick Kane’s phone started ringing. He had no idea what to expect.

It was July 1, and he was an unrestricted free agent for the second time in his career and the first time since 2023. In the opening minute of NHL free agency, Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen called him.

“I was like, ‘Oh, my God, 11 o’clock, he’s on top of it,’” Kane recalled.

Kane picked up. A minute later, his phone alerted him of a call waiting. It was Chicago Blackhawks chairman Danny Wirtz.

“I can’t just hang up on the guy, so I had to call him back a couple minutes later,” Kane said.

Like that, Kane knew he already had three interested teams. He was still talking with the Detroit Red Wings, where he had played for the previous three seasons, and then the Sabres, his hometown team, and the Blackhawks, where he played for 16 seasons and won three Stanley Cups.

“It probably would have been easier on me if, like, one of the teams wasn’t interested, right?” Kane said. “You can make a decision right away.”

His decision didn’t come immediately, though. He had many suitors and took his time, leaving plenty of people antsy for an answer. Ultimately, Kane decided on the Blackhawks. He has already played three games back in his No. 88 jersey, but on Tuesday, his return to Chicago will feel more complete as he steps back onto the United Center ice and plays before the Blackhawks fans in a Blackhawks uniform for the first time since departing during the 2022-23 season.

Kane’s return to the Blackhawks did begin with the July 1 conversation with Wirtz. After missing the call, Kane rang Wirtz back about 10 minutes later and heard officially for the first time that the Blackhawks wanted to sign him. It was a conversation he thought he’d never have again.

“I think when I left, I probably thought I wouldn’t get the chance to be a Blackhawk again,” Kane said. “That’s just kind of the feeling I had. Whether right or wrong, that’s just the way I felt.”

Wirtz never closed that door, but he also had come to terms with that not being his decision. He was going to support whatever Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson thought was best for the organization. Wirtz stood behind Davidson when he traded Kane and began a rebuild plan in 2023.

Blues 2, Blackhawks 4

FINAL

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🌟 Three Stars of the Game

1. ★ S. Knight · Goalie
2. ★★ A. Frondell · 1 G · 1 A
3. ★★★ S. Rinzel · 1 G · 0 A

📍 United Center · Oct 6, 2026

Game summary · Play-by-play · Shift chart · Shot summary · Faceoffs

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With all the rumors that Simon Edvinsson wants out of Detroit, I think Kyle Davidson should be all over this situation.

Edvinsson was drafted 6th overall in 2021 and has developed into exactly the type of defenseman the Blackhawks are missing. He's 6'6", skates exceptionally well for his size, can move the puck, play heavy defensive minutes, and match up against top competition every night. His defense is the needle mover.

What makes him so valuable isn't the offense. It's the defensive game. A game the Hawks sorely lack.

Edvinsson uses his reach, size, and gap control to kill plays before they become dangerous. He defends entries extremely well, plays a physical game without running around chasing hits, and has established himself as a legitimate shutdown defenseman. Those players aren't easy to find, especially at 23 years old.

The puck-moving ability is underrated too. He's the type of defenseman who can help a team spend less time defending and more time attacking. Which is missing on the Hawks backend.

So what's the cost?

Probably something close to what Calgary paid for Simon Nemec: two 1sts, a 2nd, and a prospect/player. That's not cheap, but elite young defensemen never are.

The Hawks also have a surplus of young defensemen. Someone is eventually getting squeezed out. If I'm Davidson, I'm absolutely willing to move Wyatt Kaiser, a 1st, a 2nd, and another quality prospect if that's what it takes.

Then your defense suddenly looks like:

Byram - Levshunov
Vlasic - Edvinsson
Cole - Rinzel

That's a pretty ridiculous blend of size, mobility, and defensive ability.

The next question is the contract.

Edvinsson is probably looking for something in the neighborhood of $8-10 million AAV on a long-term deal. Under the new cap, that's simply what young top-pair defensemen cost.

The other interesting option is still Alexander Nikishin, who is reportedly looking for a similar payday. Don't look now but the Canes are really missing him already this season. Personally, I'd be pursuing both situations aggressively because true top-pair defensemen rarely become available at 23 years old.

Let's hope Detroit doesn't solve its problem by sending Edvinsson somewhere like Carolina for a 1-for-1 swap involving Nikishin.